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
Pride: Incite: Queer Writers Read (Multnomah County Library)
Wednesday, June 3, 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Albina Library, 205 NE Russell Street, Portland, OR 97212 | FREE
Incite: Queer Writers Read is a curated, bimonthly reading series for Queer writers. Incite’s goal is to create conversation, connection and greater understanding both within the Queer community and with other communities. Hosted by Vinnie Kinsella and JP Perrine. The featured readers for June are Zoë Gamell Brown, Charlie J. Stephens and Samson Syharath. The theme is Belonging, and the reading will be followed by a community discussion.
Silent Reading (or Writing!) Party (Write Around Portland)
Thursday, June 4, 7:00–8:30 p.m. | Steeplejack Brewing, 2400 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232 | $25
Bring a favorite beach read, a notebook, or simply arrive as you are. Read, write, or drift between the two! We’ll also have Write Around Portland anthologies available to read and purchase so you can experience the powerful voices of our community. Arrive around 7 pm to get settled, grab a drink or food, and say hi. We’ll move between timed rounds of quiet reading and/or writing, with time in between to connect. Space is limited!
Oregon Connections: Community Organizing (Oregon Historical Society)
Thursday, June 4, 12:00–1:00 p.m. | Online via Zoom | FREE
OHS presents “Oregon Connections: A Conversation Series on the Right to be Free,” an all-virtual program series featuring conversations among experts and with audience members. Although many of the decisions that affect people’s access to rights such as freedom of speech, citizenship, and due process, are made at the federal level, it is often on the local level that those freedoms are both exercised and oppressed — amid debates, actions, and inspirations on a global scale.
Juneteenth: Black Cowboys & Black Ranchers (Multnomah County Library)
Sunday, June 7, 1:00–2:00 p.m. | Hillsdale Library, 1525 SW Sunset Boulevard, Portland, OR 97239 | FREE
Black cowboys and ranchers have been a significant part of the cattle and rodeo industries since the nineteenth century, but their contributions and experiences are often overlooked in the broader narrative. This presentation from Oregon Black Pioneers aims to shed light on the lesser-known history of Black individuals in the range and at rodeos throughout Oregon.
Summer Reading and Book Release at Albina Library (Write Around Portland)
Sunday, June 7, 2:00 p.m. | Write Around Portland, 133 SW 2nd Ave. Suite 304, Portland, OR 97204| $25
Write Around Portland partners with agencies and organizations (including hospitals, schools, prisons, treatment centers, assisted living communities, low-income housing buildings, homeless shelters, and other healthcare and social service agencies) to provide creative writing groups for the adults and youth they serve. These Writing Groups are gatherings that build upon each other over 6-10 weeks and culminate in the publication of a book! Agency Writing Groups (and their book launches) are offered in two program seasons each year. Writing Groups are led by a trained volunteer facilitator.
What Does Freedom Depend On? (Oregon Humanities)
Sunday, June 7, 7:00 p.m. | Lake Oswego Adult Community Center, 505 G Ave., Lake Oswego OR 97034 | FREE
The United States is often referred to as “the land of the free.” Our freedoms are rooted in the Bill of Rights and later amendments to the Constitution. What do these freedoms depend on? How does my freedom intersect with the freedoms of others? This conversation will take us through an exploration of these questions and more as we consider our freedoms and if and when they might be changed.
Chris Smalls in Conversation With Vanessa Veselka (Powell’s City of Books)
Thursday, June 11, 7:00 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books 1005 W Burnside St. Portland, OR 97209 | FREE
When the Revolution Comes (Pantheon) is the riveting inside story of how a young Black man from Hackensack, New Jersey, with little-to-no resources led a scrappy band of Staten Island warehouse workers in an improbable fight against Amazon, the second-largest private employer in the U.S., and won. This epic David-and-Goliath tale traces Smalls’ dramatic story, from a childhood spent navigating his dad’s stints in and out of prison to his early pursuits of a career in music; from his years of sacrifice and economic uncertainty as a father of three, fighting a miasma of warehouse managerial politics in an effort to make ends meet, to his ascension as the leader of a new generation’s labor movement.
To What Do We Pledge? (Oregon Humanities)
Saturday, June 13, 2:00 p.m. | Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE, Salem, OR 97301 | FREE
While the opening of the Declaration of Independence gets the fanfare and the fireworks—“When in the course of human events” and all that—the closing clause contains a quiet promise: “We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” When we talk about the founding, we often think of it as a severing from a distant power and a proclamation of individual rights. And yet, buried in that big individualistic origin story, there is a pledge of support, solidarity, and mutual aid.
Jane Austen’s Half Birthday Tea Party (Rose City Book Pub)
Saturday, June 13, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Rose City Book Pub, 1329 Northeast Fremont Street, Portland, OR, 97212 | (Tickets Required)
Tea sandwiches, scones, tea, and other treats. Celebrate Jane’s 250th birthday a little bit late.
Global Reads: A Guardian and a Thief (World Oregon)
Saturday, June 13, 2:00–3:30 p.m. | (More information)
Join World Oregon this spring as they jump-start the power of small-group discussion with this food-for-thought series! Dig into these new and notable titles that connect us to a rich landscape of global issues and ideas, and then a book salon and discussion series.
Civicus: What Does It Mean to Be a Citizen? (Oregon Humanities)
Sunday, June 14, 2:00 p.m. | Beaverton City Library, 12375 SW Fifth St., Beaverton, OR 97005 | FREE
In the United States, most people would say they believe in democracy. But do we all understand the word in the same way? Where does the concept of democracy come from, and what makes “the rule of the people” work? This conversation will dig into the history, philosophy, and practical workings of democracy. We’ll look at the words of important political thinkers from the past, the US Constitution, and research on challenges to democracy in the present day. We’ll leave with a better sense of what we mean when we say democracy and how to participate in the democratic process locally and nationally.
Attic Institute: Atheneum Alumni Reading (Rose City Book Pub)
Sunday, June 14, 1:00–3:00 p.m. | Rose City Book Pub, 1329 Northeast Fremont Street, Portland, OR, 97212
Our alums will read and celebrate the Atheneum Master Writing Program and discuss their work and lives as writers.
Consider This with Naomi Shihab Nye (Oregon Humanities)
Thursday, June 18, 2:00 p.m. | Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR 97211 | $15
In the United States, most people would say they believe in democracy. But do we all understand the word in the same way? Where does the concept of democracy come from, and what makes “the rule of the people” work? This conversation will dig into the history, philosophy, and practical workings of democracy. We’ll look at the words of important political thinkers from the past, the US Constitution, and research on challenges to democracy in the present day. We’ll leave with a better sense of what we mean when we say democracy and how to participate in the democratic process locally and nationally.
Talking About Gender: Learning, Unlearning, and Understanding (Oregon Humanities)
Saturday, June 20, 11:00 a.m. | Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE, Salem, OR 97301 | FREE
Do you remember the first time you were taught how to “be a man” or “act more ladylike”? Do you recall moments of permission when you got to break free from the pressures of your gender? Everyone experiences gender differently, which can cause confusion when the gender of others challenges our own understanding. By exploring our own histories with gender, we can open ourselves up to being curious about the experiences of others. In this conversation, participants will be invited to reflect on and share the ways gender was taught to them, moments they challenged gender expectations, and ways they live in their gender today.
Boozy Bookfair (Endless Wonder)
Saturday, June 20 through Sunday, June 21, 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. | Baerlic Beer Co., 2239 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
Join us for a two-day-long bookfair at Baerlic Beer Co’s flagship location in SE Portland. This location features Ranch Pizza and a small record store as well as amazing beer, wine, and cider. A few non-alcoholic options are available. All ages welcome til 9pm.
Summer Reading: Scales, Claws, and Expanding Jaws with OMSI (Multnomah County Library)
Monday, June 22, 4:15 p.m. | Hollywood Library, 4040 NE Tillamook Street, Portland, OR 97212 | FREE
Students slide, slither and hop into herpetology, the science of reptiles. We’ll get up close and personal with live snakes, lizards and turtles in order to study the features which make this class of animals unique. Discover that snakes are smooth and dry, lizards have no earlobes, and geckos can lick their eyeballs! Best for grades K-8 with a grownup for K-5.
Portland Indie Book and Art Fair
Saturday, June 27, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. | Honey Latte Cafe, 1033 SE Main St, Portland, OR 97214 | FREE
An outdoor fair featuring local independent publishers, including Oregon Humanities.
Bigfoot Poetry Festival Open Mics: Latinx & Indigenous Poets (Multnomah County Library)
Saturday, June 27, 12:30–1:30 p.m. | Central Library, 801 SW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205
Share your voice! The Bigfoot Poetry Festival is a three-day poetry event that happens in early summer in downtown Portland. Poetry open mics, writing and performance workshops, poet showcases, an artists market, and a poetry slam tournament.
Serena Chopra: A Catalog of Future Mercies (Broadway Books)
Tuesday, June 30, 12:30–1:30 p.m. | Broadway Books, 1714 NE Broadway St Portland, OR 97232
In this luminous memoir-in-poems, Serena Chopra explores the complexities of mercy in an immigrant family haunted by generational violence. Drawing connections between the brutalized prairie…
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
ArtWrite (Artist’s Rep)
First Sunday of the Month, 11:00 a.m. | Artists Rep, 1515 SW Morrison St. Portland, OR 97219 | FREE
Introducing a new monthly meet-up hosted by Artists Rep in partnership with the Dramatists Guild. Facilitated by E.M. Lewis and Sara Jean Accuardi. A little bit of writing, a little bit of sharing, a lot of connecting with other playwrights.
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.
Line Work: Poetry Workshop with Lila Cutter (Attic Institute)
Wednesdays, June 24 through July 29, 7:30 p.m. | Attic Institute, 1033 SW Yamhill St. #405 | $249
Poet Denise Levertov once said of the linebreak, “It is a tool, not a style.” But what is the power and potential of this uniquely poetic tool? In this workshop, we will learn through experimentation about the linebreak’s ability to heighten, connect, or crack open a multiplicity of meanings. Although we will create new work in this course, there will also be an emphasis on making previously written pieces new, redefining editing as a playful part of the creative process.
RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Blessing the Boats Selections (BOA)
Deadline: June 15, 2026
Award: $$1,500
Genre: Poetry
Blessing the Boats Selections spotlights poetry collections by women of color. As the 2025-2026 Blessing the Boats Selections Editor-at-Large, Evie Shockley will read submissions and select the final manuscript for publication. Blessing the Boats Selections is named after Lucille Clifton’s National Book Award-winning collection, Blessing the Boats: New and Selected Poems (Boa, 2000), in honor and celebration of her enduring legacy.
FSG Writer’s Fellowship (FSG)
Deadline: July 7, 2026
Award: $$15,000
The FSG Writer’s Fellowship is an annual program designed to give an emerging writer from an underrepresented community additional resources to build a life around writing—including $15,000 in funding, editorial guidance, and support from the FSG community.
FOR KIDS & TEENS
Children’s Storytime (Bold Coffee & Books)
Saturdays from 11:00–11:30 a.m. | Bold Coffee & Books, 1755 SW Jefferson St, Portland, OR 97205 | FREE
Whether an author is here to read their book or our staff is reading a favorite, we’ll feature stories that spread compassion, awareness, and positivity. Children will get a coloring page or sticker to take home too!
Pride Rainbow Family Storytime with Special Guest Lady Berri (Multnomah County Library)
Saturday, June 6, 10:30–11:30 a.m. | Northwest Library, 22030 NW Pettygrove Street, Portland, OR 97209 | FREE
Children from birth to age 6 (with a favorite adult) enjoy books highlighting LGBTQ+ families, along with songs, rhymes and movement activities building language, literacy, and community in an identity-supporting environment. This event features special guest drag performer LadyBerri Matthews. Multnomah County Library storytimes are supported by gifts made to The Library Foundation.
Youth Advisory Board and Book Club (Green Bean Books)
Saturday, June 7, 10:00–11:00 a.m. | Green Bean Books, 1600 NE Alberta Street, Portland, Oregon 97211 | FREE
Our book club brings kids together to discuss advanced reader copies of books, write reviews, and meet authors!
Storytime at UO Portland (UO Portland)
Wednesday, June 10, 10:30–11:00 a.m. | University of Oregon Portland Library, University of Oregon, 2800 NE Liberty St #227, Portland, OR 97211 | FREE
Join School Psychology student Paula for fun and engaging storytime sessions in the Children’s Library.
Hora de Cuentos (Multnomah County Library)
Thursday, June 11, 10:15–11:00 a.m. | Troutdale Library, 2451 SW Cherry Park Road, Troutdale, OR 97060 | FREE
¡Vengan a disfrutar y divertirse en este programa interactivo para niños de 0 a 6 años! Ofrecemos actividades que promueven la alfabetización temprana, leyendo libros, cantando, jugando y haciendo manualidades. Los padres, hermanos mayores de 6 años y cuidadores son bienvenidos. Este programa se presenta en español. La asistencia es limitada y está disponible por orden de llegada.
Juneteenth: The Spirit of Freedom Family Storytime (Multnomah County Library)
Saturday, June 13, 10:00–11:30 a.m. | North Portland Library, 512 N Killingsworth St., Portland, OR 97217 | FREE
Head to the library for a special Juneteenth storytime. Stay for a craft activity and a snack! Featuring this storytime in the morning and Makola Performing Arts at 2:00 p.m.
The Before-Hours Teen Book Club (Lake Oswego Library)
Sunday, June 14, 12:00–1:00 p.m. | Lake Oswego Library, 706 4th St, Lake Oswego, OR 97034 | FREE
The Before Hours Teen Book Club is an informal book hangout for teens who enjoy reading on their own terms. Instead of reading a specific title together each month, teens will read whatever they like (graphic novels, poetry, biographies, cookbooks, romantasy, etc). On the second Sunday of each month, they will gather at the library an hour before it opens and snack with their peers while sharing info about and excerpts from their best recent reads.
Suzanne Kaufman: Welcome to Our Classroom (Green Bean Books)
Saturday, June 20, 2:00 p.m. | Green Bean Books, 1600 NE Alberta Street, Portland, Oregon 97211 | FREE
From the bestselling duo of the All Are Welcome series comes a joyful celebration of teachers and learning. Illustrator Suzanne Kaufman will read from their newest picture book and lead a kids’ craft. Stick around for the book signing afterwards!
IN THE NEWS
Rescue party: Willy Vlautin on his new novel, ‘The Left and the Lucky‘ (Oregon ArtsWatch)
George Saunders, Isabel Wilkerson among writers to appear at Portland Arts & Lectures (Oregon ArtsWatch)
RECOMMENDED READING
Staff Picks | (The Literary Arts Bookstore)
LGBTQIA+ History | (Multnomah County Library)
If You Like… Project Hail Mary | (Powell’s City of Books)
Award Winning Books | (Powell’s City of Books)
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!
