• October 15, 2024
          Malcolm Gladwell in conversation
          October 22, 2024
          Ta-Nehisi Coates in Conversation
          October 24, 2024
          Bookmark: Fundraising Gala
          October 28, 2024
          The Break with Kaveh Akbar
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  1. Events
  2. Free Events

Events, Classes, and Seminars

Our events, classes, and seminars bring the community together to hear, learn, and discuss the most compelling issues and ideas of our day. We hope you will join us in our downtown Literary Arts space, online, and at partnering venues across Portland and Oregon.

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Tuesday

Mar 19

Thursday

Mar 21

Free Events   In-person  

Slamlandia

Event Series Slamlandia

Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary communities in Portland. We encourage poets new and old to come share their work. We strive towards a safe space for poets to read their own poetry,

Find out more
Monday

Apr 1

Free Events   In-person   Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships  

Finalists reading: Creative Nonfiction, Fiction and Poetry

Please join us for a reading featuring some of this year's Oregon Book Awards finalists in Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, and Poetry: Creative Nonfiction: Erica Berry Alyssa Graybeal Steven Moore Fiction: Patrick deWitt Marcelle Heath Lydia Kiesling Rachel King Jen Wheeler Poetry: Stephanie Adams-Santos Jessica E. Johnson Sara Quinn Rivara

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Wednesday

Apr 3

Friday

Apr 12

Free Events   In-person  

How to Conquer Writer’s Block, Anxiety, Competitive Envy, and the Other Evil Voices Inside You

Are you ready to get real about the emotional struggles that we bring to our writing? In this evening of conversation, we’ll explore everything from the anxiety of exposure to the crippling doubts that drive us into writer’s block—without judgment or platitudes. No question is off limits: Can I tell the truth about my abusive

Find out more
Friday

Apr 12

Free Events   In-person  

How to Conquer Writer’s Block, Anxiety, Competitive Envy and the Other Evil Voices Inside You

Are you ready to get real about the emotional struggles that we bring to our writing? In this evening of conversation, we’ll explore everything from the anxiety of exposure to the crippling doubts that drive us into writer’s block—without judgment or platitudes. No question is off limits: Can I tell the truth about my abusive

Find out more
Thursday

Apr 18

Free Events   In-person  

Slamlandia

Event Series Slamlandia

Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary communities in Portland. We encourage poets new and old to come share their work. We strive towards a safe space for poets to read their own poetry,

Find out more
Saturday

Apr 20

Free Events   Oregon Book Awards Author Tour  

NW AUTHOR SERIES: SINDYA BHANOO

Oregon Book Award winner Sindya Bhanoo will be appearing in Cannon Beach library as part of their NW Authors Series. Seeking Fortune Elsewhere features intimate stories of South Indian immigrants and the families they left behind center women’s lives and ask how women both claim and surrender power. Traveling from Pittsburgh to Eastern Washington to

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Monday

Apr 22

Free Events   In-person  

Letter Writing Social

April is National Letter Writing Month! Spend some time writing letters and catching up on your correspondence with like-minded writers and fans of the postal system. Some supplies, snacks, and typewriters will be provided, but feel free to bring your favorite stationery, pens & art supplies. Hosted by Squeezebox Press

Find out more
Wednesday

May 1

Tuesday

May 7

Free Events   Oregon Book Awards Author Tour  

Josephine Woolington

Join Oregon Book Award winner Josephine Woolington, author of Where We Call Home:Lands,Seas and Skies of the Pacific Northwest, as she sheds light on the diverse species whose populations are slowly declining from the lands, seas, and skies of the Pacific Northwest at the Southern Wasco Public Library, as part of the Oregon Book Awards

Find out more
Wednesday

May 8

Free Events   Oregon Book Awards Author Tour  

Josephine Woolington

Join Oregon Book Award winner Josephine Woolington, author of Where We Call Home:Lands,Seas and Skies of the Pacific Northwest, as she sheds light on the diverse species whose populations are slowly declining from the lands, seas, and skies of the Pacific Northwest at the Southern Wasco Public Library, as part of the Oregon Book Awards

Find out more
Wednesday

May 8

Free Events   In-person  

Incite: Queer Writers Read – May

Event Series Incite: Queer Writers Read

Incite: Queer Writers Read is a curated, bimonthly reading series for Queer writers. Incite’s hope is to create conversation, connection, and greater understanding both within the Queer community and with other communities. Hosted by Vinnie Kinsella and Jennifer Perrine. The featured readers for May are Liz Asch, Aliya Bree Hall, and Sara Jaffe. The theme is

Find out more
Thursday

May 9

Thursday

May 16

Free Events   In-person  

Slamlandia

Event Series Slamlandia

Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary communities in Portland. We encourage poets new and old to come share their work. We strive towards a safe space for poets to read their own poetry,

Find out more
Tuesday

May 21

Free Events   Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships  

Oregon Literary Fellowship Reading

Please join us for a reading featuring recipients of the 2024 Oregon Literary Fellowships: Karleigh Frisbie Brogan Jenny H. Lee Makiia Lucier Kieran Mundy Rosanna Nafziger Ami Patel Ösel Jessica Plante-Curl Eric Simons Joe Wilkins Evan Morgan Williams with special appearances from publishing fellowship recipients, Fonograf Editions and First Matter Press.

Find out more
Wednesday

May 29

Tuesday

Jun 11

Thursday

Jun 13

Free Events   In-person  

Bigfoot Regional Poetry Slam (Prelims)

The first in a two-night series for the Bigfoot Poetry Festival, this event features poets from all over the Pacific Northwest (and beyond!) who will engage in a battle of words for the enjoyment of an audience. Teams of poets will compete with their spoken word at Literary Arts—the first bout starting at 5:00pm, and

Find out more
Friday

Jun 14

Free Events   In-person  

Bigfoot Regional Poetry Slam (Prelims)

The second in a two-night series for the Bigfoot Poetry Festival, this event features poets from all over the Pacific Northwest (and beyond!) who will engage in a battle of words for the enjoyment of an audience. Teams of poets will compete with their spoken word at Literary Arts—the first bout starting at 5:00pm, and

Find out more
Saturday

Jun 15

Free Events   In-person  

2024 Bigfoot Poetry Festival

The Bigfoot Poetry Festival returns to Literary Arts with an all-day celebration of the written and spoken word, featuring poetry slams, a poetry market, open mics, and writing and performance workshops. All events are FREE and open to the public. Accessibility Note: The Poetry Market, Youth Poetry Slam, and New Sh*t Open Mic will take

Find out more
Wednesday

Jun 19

Thursday

Jun 20

Free Events   In-person  

Slamlandia

Event Series Slamlandia

Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary communities in Portland. We encourage poets new and old to come share their work. We strive towards a safe space for poets to read their own poetry,

Find out more
Monday

Jun 24

Free Events   In-person  

Letter Writing Social

Spend some time writing letters and catching up on your correspondence with like-minded writers and fans of the postal system. Some supplies, snacks, and typewriters will be provided, but feel free to bring your favorite stationery, pens and art supplies. Hosted by Squeezebox Press. Note: Due to construction on the street, please enter Literary Arts through

Find out more
Wednesday

Jun 26

Wednesday

Jul 3

Wednesday

Jul 17

Free Events   In-person  

INCITE: Queer Writers Read – July

Event Series Incite: Queer Writers Read

Incite: Queer Writers Read is a curated, bimonthly reading series for Queer writers. Incite’s hope is to create conversation, connection, and greater understanding both within the Queer community and with other communities. Hosted by Vinnie Kinsella and Jennifer Perrine. The featured readers for July are David Ciminello, Shelley Gaske, and Charlie J. Stephens. The theme

Find out more
Thursday

Jul 18

Free Events   In-person  

Slamlandia

Event Series Slamlandia

Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary communities in Portland. We encourage poets new and old to come share their work. We strive towards a safe space for poets to read their own poetry,

Find out more
Monday

Jul 29

Free Events   Online   Writing Classes  

The Break with Kaveh Akbar

Event Series The Break with Kaveh Akbar

In partnership with Alano Club of Portland, "The Break is a monthly virtual gathering of writers and artists lead by Kaveh Akbar, celebrating amongness, collaboration, and interdisciplinary creative experimentation. Though many of the activities and discussions orbit or are inflected by recovery themes (Akbar has been in active recovery for eight years), participants are not

Find out more
Wednesday

Jul 31

For BIPOC Writers   Free Events   In-person  

BIPOC Reading Series – July

This monthly reading series is intended to prioritize the safety, creativity, and stories of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color. Come listen to our featured readers, or sign up to share your work in our open mic. Readings will be followed by a short community discussion. Hosted by Kyle Yoshioka and Jessica Meza-Torres. The featured reader

Find out more
Wednesday

Aug 7

Saturday

Aug 10

Free Events   In-person  

First Matter Press Book Launch Party

Join Oregon Literary Publishing Fellowship recipient First Matter Press on August 10th as they launch their 2024 titles, greenhouse and Suspended In My Insecticide Jar.  The evening's festivities will include featured readings from Sophie Hall and Clara McAuley, original art for purchase from 2024 cover artist Alexandra Strenfel, and readings from our 2024 Ekphrastic Poem Contest selections.

Find out more
Thursday

Aug 15

Free Events   In-person  

Slamlandia

Event Series Slamlandia

Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary communities in Portland. We encourage poets new and old to come share their work. We strive towards a safe space for poets to read their own poetry,

Find out more
Friday

Aug 16

Free Events   In-person  

Graft Union Reading Series & Open Mic

Join us for the third installment of the Graft Union Reading Series—a monthly event for sharing creative writing, food, drink, and community, featuring student writers from PDX academic institutions and beyond! The Graft Union Reading Series is a community-driven collective for students and emergent writers in Portland with an emphasis on celebrating new voices. We

Find out more
Monday

Aug 26

Free Events   Online   Writing Classes  

The Break with Kaveh Akbar

Event Series The Break with Kaveh Akbar

In partnership with Alano Club of Portland, "The Break is a monthly virtual gathering of writers and artists lead by Kaveh Akbar, celebrating amongness, collaboration, and interdisciplinary creative experimentation. Though many of the activities and discussions orbit or are inflected by recovery themes (Akbar has been in active recovery for eight years), participants are not

Find out more
Wednesday

Aug 28

For BIPOC Writers   Free Events   In-person  

BIPOC Reading Series – August

This monthly reading series is intended to prioritize the safety, creativity, and stories of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color. Come listen to our featured readers, or sign up to share your work in our open mic. Readings will be followed by a short community discussion. Hosted by Kyle Yoshioka and Jessica Meza-Torres. The featured reader

Find out more
Thursday

Sep 19

Free Events   In-person  

SLAMLANDIA

Event Series Slamlandia

Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary communities in Portland. We encourage poets new and old to come share their work. We strive towards a safe space for poets to read their own poetry,

Find out more
Saturday

Sep 28

Monday

Sep 30

Free Events   Online   Writing Classes  

The Break with Kaveh Akbar

Event Series The Break with Kaveh Akbar

In partnership with Alano Club of Portland, "The Break is a monthly virtual gathering of writers and artists lead by Kaveh Akbar, celebrating amongness, collaboration, and interdisciplinary creative experimentation. Though many of the activities and discussions orbit or are inflected by recovery themes (Akbar has been in active recovery for eight years), participants are not

Find out more
Thursday

Oct 3

For BIPOC Writers   Free Events   In-person  

BIPOC Reading Series

Rescheduled from September 25.  This monthly reading series is intended to prioritize the safety, creativity, and stories of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color. Come listen to our featured readers, or sign up to share your work in our open mic. Readings will be followed by a short community discussion. Hosted by Kyle Yoshioka and Jessica

Find out more
Monday

Oct 7

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