Each month, Literary Arts staff will round up news, events, and more happening in Portland, and beyond. Let us know in the form below the blog if you have any events or news to share.
EVENTS
Campfire Tales (Campfire Tales)
Saturday, September 13, at 7:00 p.m. | Echo Theater, 1515 SE 37th, Portland OR. 97214 | $12
Campfire Tales is a new kind of storytelling community in Portland. It’s where storytellers share personal stories with an audience that listens—and is invited to respond. After each story, audience members can offer written feedback, creating a unique exchange between teller and listener.
Journal Drive (Write Around Portland)
August 1–September 15 | Multiple drop-off locations
Write Around Portland’s annual journal drive runs from August 1 to September 15. You can drop donations off at Annie Bloom’s Books, Broadway Books, or contact the Write Around Portland office to set up a time to stop by. Journals need to be clean, unused and blank. This is also a great opportunity to clear extra notebooks off your shelves at home!
John Birdsall in conversation with Jonathan Kauffman (Powell’s Books)
Monday, September 15, at 7:00 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St. Portland, OR 97209 | FREE
James Beard Award-winning food writer John Birdsall unfolds the complex story of how, through times of fear and persecution, queer people used food to express joy and build community — and ended up changing the shape of the table for everyone. Birdsall will be joined in conversation by James Beard.
Libro.fm Bogo Sale (Libro.fm)
September 16-19 | Online sale
It’s a buy-one-get-one audiobook sale from Libro.fm, September 16-19. Every purchase supports our store! Libro.fm members can get two audiobooks from a curated selection with just one credit. Not a member? Start a new monthly membership using code SWITCH and you’ll get three audiobook credits to redeem from the start, plus the ability to shop the sale.
Author Talk: Tilt by Emma Pattee (Multnomah County Library)
Wednesday, September 17, 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Hillsdale Library, 1525 SW Sunset Boulevard, Portland, OR 97239 | FREE
ALSO: Sunday, September 21, 3:00–4:30 p.m. | Gresham Library | FREE
Emma Pattee, climate journalist, playwright and author, joins the Multnomah County Library to talk about her new novel, Tilt.
An Evening with Willy Vlautin (Oregon Humanities)
Wednesday, September 19, at 7:00 p.m. | Birkenfeld Theatre 85 S Nehalem St., Clatskanie OR 97016 | FREE
Join Oregon author Willy Vlautin for a lively discussion of his latest book, The Horse, along with songs and stories from the novel. You can pick up a free copy of The Horse at Columbia County Libraries starting August 18, while supplies last.
Sunday Crafternoon: Suminagashi Paper Marbling! (Scrap PDX)
Sunday, September 21, 2:00–4:00 p.m. | Scrap PDX, 619 SE 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97214 | $10–15
SCRAP will be practicing a marbling technique, experimenting with different kinds of inks and papers. Crafters can expect things to get a little wet and a little messy, and to walk out with all sorts of gorgeous pieces of hand-marbled art!
The Dog Days of Summer (45th Parallel Universe)
Sunday, September 21, 6:00–7:00 p.m. | Karen Hinsdale / Michael Preisz Residence, 609 SW 68th Terrace, Portland, OR 97225 | FREE
45th Parallel Universe presents a beautiful selection of quartet pieces, thoughtfully curated by violinist Emily Cole to highlight rarely performed gems composed works by women, music that captures the mood of a summer evening.
The Front Runner: The Life of Steve Prefontaine (The Oregon Historical Society)
Sunday, September 21, 2:00–3:00 p.m. | Oregon Historical Society, 1200 SW Park Ave. Portland, OR 97205 | FREE
Fifty years after his death, Steve Prefontaine remains one of the most iconic athletes in Oregon history. Join OHS Boyle Family Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk in conversation with journalist and author Brendan O’Meara about his new book The Front Runner: The Life of Steve Prefontaine.
Choice Cuts Book Launch: An Evening Celebrating Portland DIY (PAM CUT Tomorrow Theater)
Thursday, September 25, at 7:00 p.m. | Tomorrow Theater, 3530 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202 | TICKETS
Celebrate the official book launch of Choice Cuts: Disposable Camera Archives by Corbin C, a book published by Portland’s own Buckman Journal. It chronicles the photography of Portland-based photographer and filmmaker Corbin C, who will be presenting his photos and HI8 music videos, dishing anecdotes and behind the scene tales. HE WAS THERE.
Reflections Through Glass: A Garden Concert Featuring Philip Glass Quartets (45th Parallel Universe)
Sunday, September 28, 6:00–7:00 p.m. | Blessinger Residence, 3215 NE 16th Ave, Portland, OR 97212 | FREE
Join hosts Ron Blessinger and Ann Medellin for an evening in their lovely Irvington garden exploring the sound world of Philip Glass. His quartets No. 3 and No. 5 reveal the hallmarks of his style: intricate textures, steady pulse, and what Steve Reich famously called a “perceptible process.” Heard outdoors, this music invites you to settle in, listen closely, and experience how repetition gradually transforms into something unexpected and beautiful.
The Bed Trick (Artists Repertory Theatre)
Tuesday, September 30, at 7:30 p.m. | Artists Repertory Theatre, 1515 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97205 | TICKETS
Sparks fly in this effervescent bedroom farce by Seattle’s Keiko Green, where the joys of being young and frisky smash into questions of deception and consent. The Bed Trick is a fresh, sparkling comedy about sex, ethics, and Shakespeare.
The Reser: 2025/26 Season of Events
The Reser’s most ambitious season yet is here! The 2025–26 Reser Presents lineup is filled with globally inspired performances, groundbreaking world premieres, and the return of beloved favorites. See the Season Brochure HERE.
Bard Bingo (Wonderwood Springs)
Tuesdays, 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Wonderwood Springs, 8811 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203 | $5
Bard Bingo at Portland Artist Mike Bennett’s Wonderwood Springs is a lively bingo event hosted by a traveling bard’s musical musings. Held every Tuesday night, this event features four exciting rounds with cards priced at $5 each. It’s cash-only, offering chances to win various prizes such as original artwork, stickers, gift cards, lawn signs, and the coveted jackpot.
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
Queer & Feminist Writing: Creating Our Work Through the Lens of International Literature
w/ Jenna Tang (Coporeal Writing)
Saturday, September 27, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (PST) | Online via Zoom | $100
Feminist writing and queer narratives are important to talk about—how do we start with the lens of international literature to inform our own writing? How can we build a map of literature for ourselves—reading from the ancient mythologies to contemporary literary titles from across the world, to the experimental, punk narratives that could spark creative, thematic ideas for stories and poems that we’ve been wanting to write about?
Resonate: A BIPOC Writing Circle (Write Around Portland)
2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month | 4:00–5:30 p.m. | Online via Zoom
Led by a Write Around Portland facilitator of color, Resonate consists of writing, sharing, and giving strengths-based feedback to each other. No preparation or experience in writing is required! Resonate is a great way to unlock your creativity, build or maintain a writing practice, and get some writing done! REGISTER HERE.
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
CREATIVE CRECIMIENTO ~ PARTICIPATION APPLICATION FORM (Portland In Color)
Various Dates | Online via Zoom
Applications are now open for Creative Crecimiento! This sliding scale professional development workshop series was created to increase accessibility to sustaining creative livelihoods for BIPOC artists across Oregon.
Workshop Topics & Dates (Classes are on Mondays, 5:30–7:30 PM, via Zoom):
- 9/15 – Groundwork for Growth: Small Business Foundations for Creatives with Emilly Prado
- 9/22 – Financial Literacy for Artists with Dr. Raquel Muller
- 9/29 – The Artist’s Journey: Emotional Self-care Through Storytelling with Joaquin Lopez
- 10/6 – Sustainable Futures: Leadership, Community-Building, and Long-term Planning Panel with Heldáy De la Cruz, Jené Etheridge, Erica Ledesma, and RedStone Rodolfo Serna
- 10/20 – Optional Celebration & Connection Event in Portland (Location TBA)!
WE NEED DIVERSE BOOKS: Mentorship Applications Open
The WNDB Mentorship program offers an exciting opportunity for aspiring creators to be matched with an experienced children’s book creator. Our mentorships run over the course of a calendar year (January to December), where each mentor will provide support and feedback to their mentee on their completed manuscript draft or their portfolio.
Our mentorships are split among the following categories: Picture Book Text (PB), Middle Grade (MG), Young Adult (YA); and Illustration (IL).
Applications are open until September 30, 2025. Details are here.
Poetry Broadside Contest (Expedition Press)
Submission period: October 1-31, 2025 | Fee: $15 for 1-2 poems
The goal of this contest is connection. To widen our reading horizons and broaden our community. Even if you don’t identify as a poet. Students hugely welcome, people of all identities, ages and abilities. Read the backstory here for why this contest exists
FOR KIDS & TEENS
Bard Storytime (Wonderwood)
Every Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–Noon | Wonderwood Springs, 7410 N. Chicago Ave. Portland, OR | FREE
Join us every Saturday as Gerard Bardler (the bard of Wonderwood) reads stories and sings songs! Books generously donated by our neighbors Twin Rivers Books. Family friendly, family fun, FREE!
Banned Books Club for Teens (Multnomah County Library)
Saturday, September 13, 3:00–4:00 p.m. | Holgate Library, 7905 SE Holgate Boulevard, Portland, OR 97206 | FREE
Exercise your right to read! Join us to discuss the frequently challenged book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. We will talk about Speak on September 13th. On September 27th, we will make buttons, answer censorship trivia, and have a broad discussion of banned books! Facilitated by the Holgate Library Teen Council. Copies of Speak will be available for pickup at the library starting on August 15. Space is limited, and registration is required. Registration opens on August 15.
¡Feliz cumple! Linda Letra Bilingual Books turns 2! (Linda Letra Bilingual Books)
Saturday, September 13, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Linda Letra Bilingual Books, 7101 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97213 | FREE
Join us for book making, author signings, special sales y más to celebrate Portland’s only dedicated Spanish language bookstore turning 2! No faltes – por todo la familia!
Storytime in the Family Studio at Portland Japanese Garden (Portland Japanese Garden)
Saturday, September 13, 10:30–11:30 a.m. | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205 | FREE
Join the Portland Japanese Garden on Saturday, September 13 at 10:30am for a special Children’s Storytime in the Family Studio! In celebration of the upcoming International Day of Peace (September 21), gather for a heartwarming storytime filled with tales of peace, friendship, and community.
I Am We: How Crows Come Together to Survive Release Party! (Green Bean Books)
Sunday, September 14, at 2:00 p.m .| Green Bean Books, 1600 NE Alberta Street, Portland, Oregon 97211 | FREE
Discover fascinating facts about crows in this latest nonfiction picture book!
Charm School: Cutify Frames! | Ages 16+ (SCRAP PDX)
Friday, September 19, 4:30–7:00 p.m. | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205 | FREE
Join instructor Kate (she/her) to cutify your picture frames! Bring your own trinkets or frames from home, and/or choose from among the many donated beads, baubles, soda can tabs, keys, and other delightful reusable oddities of SCRAP’s treasure trove to decorate plain frames and customize them to show off your most precious moments and favorite people.
Threads of Culture (Conestoga Recreation Center)
Saturday, September 20, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. | Conestoga Recreation Center, 9985 SW 125th Ave, Beaverton, OR 97008 | FREE
Celebrate and honor the beauty and diversity of cultures through storytelling at Conestoga Recreation Center. Make your own bookmark, create your own story booklet, taste food favorites from around the world, and more!
CouveCon (Conestoga Recreation Center)
Saturday, September 20, 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. | Vancouver Mall, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr, Vancouver, WA 98662 | $10
The 4th annual CouveCon—a flagship pop culture event packed with celebrity meet-and-greets, panel discussions, artist showcases, and interactive activities for fans of all ages! Enjoy exclusive merchandise, cosplay contests, fandom panels, and more in a celebration of creativity and community.
From A Hole in the Ground (Northwest Children’s Theater)
Saturdays and Sundays | September 27, 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. | The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts, 1000 SW Broadway, T-100, Portland, OR 97232 | $25-35
Nominated for a 2025 Oregon Book Award! From a Hole in the Ground is an original fairy tale about mischief, nature, and a generational curse. Someone—or something—has returned from the grave fixated on a long due confrontation, upsetting the world of the good folk, and set to bring chaos to mortals too. A finalist for the Oregon Book Award for Drama.
IN THE NEWS
Andrew Proctor Gets Frank About Portland’s Creative Past, Present and Future
(Willamette Week)
RECOMMENDED READING
Oregon Battle of the Books | (The Literary Arts Bookstore)
100 Films by Black Directors | (Multnomah County Library)
Reading the Resistance: Palestine | (Multnomah County Library)
Hispanic and Latiné books for teens | (Multnomah County Library)
Staff Picks | (The Literary Arts Bookstore)
Powell’s Picks of the Month | (Powell’s)
Community News Submissions
Let us know if you have any events, news to share, or opportunities for writers for the In the Community blog and we will consider adding it to the next blog post!
