Free Events In-person
Slamlandia
Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month at Literary Arts, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary
45 events found.
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 community space and bookstore at 716 SE Grand Avenue, Portland, OR, online, and at partnering venues across Portland and Oregon.
For BIPOC Writers Free Events In-person
BIPOC Reading Series
Hosted by Kyle Yoshioka and Jessica Meza-Torres, this monthly reading series is intended to prioritize the safety, creativity, and stories of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color. The featured reader for
Free Events In-person
One Page Wednesday – December
Here is an opportunity to share or listen to one page of work in progress from talented writers from everywhere. Come with a single page of work and sign up
Bookstore Free Events
Literary Happy Hour
Escape from the cold with a book and a beverage at Literary Arts! Join us for a special happy hour. Spend $20 or more at the bookstore and take a
Bookstore Free Events
December Write-In: Jane Austen
Join us at the Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe for a write-in celebrating 250 years of Jane Austen! We’re channeling our inner Jane and writing the night away. Whether you’re
Free Events In-person
Slamlandia
Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month at Literary Arts, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary
Bookstore Free Events
Winter Wonderland Cookie & Story Party at Literary Arts
Join us for an afternoon of festive winter fun for kids at The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe! We’ll have oodles of sugar cookies to decorate, a coloring/craft corner, and
Bookstore Free Events
January Write-In
Join us at The Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe for our first write-in of 2026! This month, we're channeling growth and change by celebrating metamorphosis. Whether it's you emerging from
Free Events In-person
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
Free Events In-person
Slamlandia
Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month at Literary Arts, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary
Bookstore Free Events
Sangamithra Iyer in conversation with David Naimon
The Literary Arts Bookstore is excited to welcome Sangamithra Iyer to celebrate their book Governing Bodies. Iyer will be joined in conversation by David Naimon. About the book: A beautifully
Bookstore Free Events
Charise Mericle Harper: WRONG FRIEND
Join the Literary Arts Bookstore for a very special event with Charise Mericle Harper for the release of her latest graphic novel, Wrong Friend! About the book: What happens when your BFF is no longer forever? A fresh and honest graphic novel about friendships lost and found. Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier! Charise and
Bookstore Free Events
Jude Ellison S. Doyle in conversation with Katherine Cross
Join us for an evening of trans/feminist theory with Jude Doyle author of DILF: Did I Leave Feminism? Doyle will be joined in conversation by Katherine Cross. About the book: In this sharp manifesto, veteran author and activist Jude Doyle reunites feminist and trans politics through a common belief: that all people deserve to have
Free Events In-person
BIPOC Reading Series
Hosted by Kyle Yoshioka and Jessica Meza-Torres, this monthly reading series is intended to prioritize the safety, creativity, and stories of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color. The featured readers for January are none other than the long-time hosts and co-creators of this reading series . . . Kyle and Jessica! This event is open to
Bookstore Free Events
The Weary Blues at 100: Maude Hines and Emmett Wheatfall Discuss Langston Hughes
Join us for a special evening honoring the legacy of Langston Hughes and the 100th anniversary of The Weary Blues. Featuring critical commentary by PSU Professor and Chair of Black
Free Events In-person
One Page Wednesday – February
Here is an opportunity to share or listen to one page of work in progress from talented writers from everywhere. Come with a single page of work and sign up
Bookstore Free Events
Lamina + Infinity Crystals Installation: Portland Winter Light Festival 2026
Stop by Literary Arts during the 2026 Portland Winter Light Festival. Our front windows will display a beautiful collection of larger than life glowing leaves hanging above a set of magical Crystals composed of infinite light reflections.
Bookstore Free Events
Emily Nemens in conversation with Kathleen Boland
The Literary Arts Bookstore is proud to welcome author Emily Nemens to celebrate her latest book, Clutch. Nemens will be in conversation with Kathleen Boland. About the book As undergrads,
Bookstore Free Events
February Write-In: Dreams
Fight off those last lonely nights of winter with an extra dreamy write-in at the Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe! In order to channel our most mystical energy, we'll be
Bookstore Free Events
Karina LeBlanc: A Kid’s Book About Purpose
The Literary Arts Bookstore is pleased to welcome Karian LeBlanc to celebrate the release of A Kids Book About Purpose. She wrote this book to inspire kids, especially those who feel different, unseen, or unsure of their path, to believe in their greatness and take small steps toward a bigger purpose.
Free Events In-person
Slamlandia – February
Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month at Literary Arts, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all literary
Bookstore Free Events
An Evening of QTBIPOC Poetry
Join us in celebrating an evening of readings from local QTBIPOC poets Ally Ang, Genevieve DeGuzman, Jae Nichelle, Ami Patel, and Christopher Rose!
For BIPOC Writers Free Events In-person
BIPOC Reading Series – February
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
Bookstore Free Events
Paige Thomas in conversation with Blair Thomas
The Literary Arts Bookstore is excited to welcome our colleague and friend Paige Thomas to celebrate her debut poetry collection, Person Under! Paige will be in conversation with her sister,
Free Events In-person
One Page Wednesday – March
Here is an opportunity to share or listen to one page of work in progress from talented writers from everywhere. Come with a single page of work and sign up
Bookstore Free Events
Kim Fu in conversation with Emma Pattee
The Literary Arts Bookstore is excited to welcome Kim Fu to celebrate her latest book, The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts. Fu will be joined in conversation by local author Emma
Bookstore Free Events
Learn to Build a D&D Character
Have you ever felt like playing Dungeons and Dragons but didn’t know how to start? Join us at Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe for a D&D character building workshop. We
Bookstore Free Events
Scott Broker in conversation with Peter Rock
The Literary Arts Bookstore is excited to welcome Scott Broker to celebrate their debut book, The Disappointment. Broker will be joined in conversation by Peter Rock. About the book: Set
Bookstore Free Events Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships
2026 Oregon Book Awards Finalists Reading
Join us for an evening of celebration and readings from this year's Oregon Book Awards finalists in Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Graphic Literature. This is the first of two finalist
Bookstore Free Events Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships
2026 Oregon Book Awards Finalists Reading
Join us for an evening of celebration and readings from this year's Oregon Book Awards finalists in Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Graphic Literature. This event is the second of two
Bookstore Free Events
March Write-In: Beware the Ides of March
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend us your pens—and join us for our monthly write-in! We'll be listening to some instrumental music inspired by the Ancient Romans as we lock-in for two
Free Events In-person
Slamlandia – March
Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month at Literary Arts, on the third Thursday. This mic provides a creative, fun, and welcoming space for all
Free Events In-person
BIPOC Reading Series – March
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
Free Events
An evening of readings and conversation with Devon Walker-Figueroa, Lisa Wells, and Leni Zumas
The Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe are excited to welcome authors Devon Walker-Figueroa, Lisa Wells, and Leni Zumas for an evening of readings and conversation. This event is free and
Bookstore Free Events
2026 Pacific Northwest Book Awards Celebration for Karen Russell
Join us to celebrate 2026 Pacific Northwest Book Awards Winner Karen Russell, and the paperback release of The Antidote. ABOUT THE BOOK Set in Nebraska during the Dust Bowl, trouble and
Free Events In-person
One Page Wednesday – April
Here is an opportunity to share or listen to one page of work in progress from talented writers from everywhere. Come with a single page of work and sign up
Free Events
Oregon Book Awards Author Tour: Corvallis
A reading featuring some of the 2026 finalists in Creative Nonfiction: Judith Barrington, Karleigh Frisbie Brogan, Wayne Scott and Lidia Yuknavitch
Bookstore Free Events
Nonprofit Publishing in an Era of Authoritarianism with Graywolf Press
The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is excited to welcome Graywolf Press for a special discussion on non-profit and independent publishing in the modern age. This event will feature Carmen Giménez and Serena Chopra in conversation. About Graywolf Press Graywolf Press is a nonprofit literary publisher of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and work in translation.
Bookstore Free Events
Emergency Horse Launch
The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is pleased to welcome Emergency Horse for the launch of their latest issue. Join us for an evening of readings and celebration. This event is free and open to all. About Emergency Horse The relaunch of the magazine happened this past September. Emergency Horse #8 featured an interview of
Bookstore Free Events
Dead Poets Society: Open Mic
The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe cordially invites you to the first annual meeting of the Dead Poets Society, an open mic for dead people and their enthusiasts. This National Poetry Month, we’re celebrating the voices of poets from the past. Join us to celebrate the work of your favorite dead poet by sharing it
Bookstore Free Events
Robyn Saunders Wilson in conversation with Michelle Kicherer
The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is thrilled to welcome Robyn Saunders Wilson to celebrate her debut, Junkyard Princess! Saunders Wilson will be in conversation with Michelle Kicherer. About Junkyard Princess The year is 1983. It’s a time of both mullets and glam, Bowie and the Smiths, and for twelve-year-old Robyn: rusty old vehicles, terrifying
Bookstore Free Events
April Hand-Sewing Social with SCRAP PDX
Join us to hand-sew decorative plush to celebrate the rain! Sew felt raindrops, umbrellas, crows, and more. ✨ Bring a friend! Make a friend! Grab a beverage, browse the books, and gather round to sew some righteously rainy things to celebrate the equinox! Traceable templates & embroidery stitch print-outs provided. This event is self-guided and
Bookstore Free Events
April Write-In: Poetry
Join us at the Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe for our monthly write-in. April is National Poetry Month, so we are celebrating our poets. Whether you write poetry, prose, or something in between, all stories welcome! Our Food and Beverage Assistant Manager, Miah, cooked up a new special, the Sigh Swoon Sigh; a tangerine ginger
Bookstore Free Events
Mud & Cherry Blossoms: Poems for a Messy Season
The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is excited to welcome local poets Rebecca Clarren, Margot Kahn, and Daniela Naomi Molnar for an evening of readings and conversation!
Free Events In-person
Slamlandia – April
Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month at Literary Arts, 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
