On an autumn weekend in October, the 2025 Oregon Book Awards Author Tour headed to Eastern Oregon for readings in Pendleton, Enterprise and Baker City. Oregon Book Awards authors Becky Ellis, tina ontiveros and Charlie J. Stephens appeared in Pendleton and Enterprise; Becky Ellis and Charlie J. Stephens were joined by OBA authors Rachel King and Steven Moore in Baker City. Becky Ellis commented, “”What a spectacular weekend with wonderful writers and engaged audiences.”
Left to right: Authors in Pendleton (first two photos) and Becky Ellis in Enterprise (right). Photos credit: Evan P. Schneider
The first stop was Pendleton on October 16, where Becky Ellis, tina ontiveros and Charlie J. Stephens were featured readers at First Draft Writers Series at the Pendleton Center for the Arts. First Draft Writers Series was established in 2013 and has featured many great writers, including Ursula K. Le Guin and Brian Doyle. Becky Ellis read selections from her memoir Little Avalanches, Charlie J. Stephens shared work from their novel, A Wounded Deer Leaps Highest, and tina ontiveros read from her memoir rough house.
On October 17, the authors appeared in Enterprise, hosted by Fishtrap at their event space on Main Street. Fishtrap began in 1987 as a summer gathering for writers in the Wallowas and has grown to offer year-round literary programming, focusing on writers and artists in the West. Becky, tina and Charlie shared their work with an attentive audience. Charlie J. Stephens commented, “”I really appreciate the intention around supporting authors in going to rural parts of Oregon.”
Carnegie Arts Center, Rachel King at Carnegie Arts Center. Photos credit: Evan P. Schneider
The tour ended in Baker City on October 18, at the Crossroads Art Center. Becky and Charlie were joined by Steven Moore, author of the essay collection, The Distance from Slaughter County. The News and Rachel King, author of the story collection, Bratwurst Heaven. The Crossroads Art Center is one the oldest continuously operating art centers East of Cascades. It started in 1963 as the Oregon Trail Arts Assocation and later became the Crossroads Arts Center. It is housed in the Carnegie Library in Baker City.
As part of Literary Arts’ mission to engage readers and support writers, the Oregon Book Awards Author Tour brings celebrated authors to towns they might not otherwise visit and establishes connections between Literary Arts and literary organizations across Oregon. The Tammis Foundation and Roundhouse Foundation provided funding for this year’s tour. Partners on the tour to Eastern Oregon included the Baker County Library District, Betty’s Books, The Bookloft Bookstore, Crossroads Arts Center, First Draft Writers Series, Fishtrap, and Pendleton Center for the Arts.
“Crossroads was so pleased to host four Oregon Book Award finalists in a deeply personal and intimate discussion in our main gallery at Crossroads. Authors read and shared their stories surrounded by the beauty of Maia Leisz’s paintings. Betty’s Books, our local bookstore, came to sell the books and the Baker County Library District partnered as well. Becky, Steven, Charlie and Rachel had a lovely Q & A discussion with our audience. We are so appreciative of Literary Arts and their funders who value bringing authors to our rural community.”
– Ginger Savage, Executive Director, Crossroads Art Center
“There was a huge sense of connection during this event, both author to audience and author to author, that made the evening truly memorable. Having notable authors who bring a range of viewpoints to rural areas inspires readers and writers in an important way.” – Hadley Marshall, Pendleton Center for the Arts
