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.
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
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
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 open to the public.
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 magic are brewing in this modern-day epic. As we settle into the cast of characters, their memories, secrets, and desires push at the very seams
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 to read – or come to listen and prepare to be inspired. Our host is the one and only, Emme Lund. The featured reader for April is
A reading featuring some of the 2026 finalists in Creative Nonfiction: Judith Barrington, Karleigh Frisbie Brogan, Wayne Scott and Lidia Yuknavitch
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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
The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is thrilled to welcome Kanako Nishi, author of the Japanese language novel Sakura and Allison Markin Powell, the English translator of the best-selling novel. This event will be moderated by Jay Boss Rubin and feature musical guest Gabriella Page-Fort. About the book:Â Available in English at last, the international
Join us for a day of giveaways, free workshops, food and drink specials, and more as we celebrate indie bookstores! Saturday, April 25, is Independent Bookstore Day! Come celebrate with us at 716 SE Grand Avenue from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m for a day full of books, community, festivity, and surprises! 🎧 Libro.fm Golden
Join us at The Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe on Independent Bookstore Day for a special storytime featuring local author Leslie Barnard Booth. Saturday, April 25, is Independent Bookstore Day! Come celebrate with us at 716 SE Grand Avenue from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m for a day full of books, community, festivity, and surprises!
Come celebrate Independent Bookstore Day at Literary Arts and take part in a free, two-hour condensed version of Miranda Schmidt's Writing With Tarot class.
The Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe is excited to welcome Literary Arts board member Priscilla Bernard Wieden for a special reading from her poetry collection, Solitary Light. Priscilla will be in conversation with Oregon's former poet laureate, Kim Stafford. About the book: Poetry is a conduit for communicating our shared experiences and broadening our understanding
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
The Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe is excited to welcome poet Erin L. McCoy to celebrate her debut novel, Underlake. McCoy will be in conversation with Erica Berry. About the book: Twelve years ago, Otta escaped her small town, determined to become a marine biologist. Now she’s returned, carrying the guilt of a friend’s disappearance
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 to read – or come to listen and prepare to be inspired. Our host is the one and only, Emme Lund. The featured reader for May is
M.L. Herring, Born of Fire and Rain, Journey into a Pacific Coastal Forest
Jamie Mustard, Child X: A Memoir of Slavery, Poverty, Celebrity, and Scientology
Jennifer Perrine, Beautiful Outlaw
M.L. Herring, Born of Fire and Rain, Journey into a Pacific Coastal Forest
Jamie Mustard, Child X: A Memoir of Slavery, Poverty, Celebrity, and Scientology
Jennifer Perrine, Beautiful Outlaw
In this free, hands-on zine workshop, participants will use writing, drawing, and collage to creatively explore what they would like to see celebrated and remembered in Portland. Comics journalist and zine-maker Shay Mirk will lead this playful 90-minute workshop reflecting on Portland’s existing monuments and will lead the group through prompts to collaborate on a
In this free, hands-on zine workshop, participants will use writing, drawing, and collage to creatively explore what they would like to see celebrated and remembered in Portland. Comics journalist and zine-maker Shay Mirk will lead this playful 90-minute workshop reflecting on Portland’s existing monuments and will lead the group through prompts to collaborate on a
Join us at the Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe for our monthly write-in. At last, the long night has ended, and we're ready for Spring! With a bookseller-curated mix of songs featuring sunlight and brightness, we'll be channeling brighter days as we lock-in for a focused writing session. Our Food and Beverage Assistant Manager, Miah,
The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is excited to welcome Stephanie Fairyington to celebrate their book Ugly. Fairyington will be joined in conversation by Neil Cochrane. About the book: A tender, moving, and insightful account of queer motherhood and an interrogation of life on the margins of American culture as a self-described “ugly” woman Ugly
Join us at the Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe for a staged reading of Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them by A. Rey Pamatmat, directed by Terry Kitagawa. This event is free and open to the public. If you plan to attend, RSVP on Eventbrite here. About the book: Filipino-American siblings Edith and Kenny are
The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is excited to welcome Rex Marshall for his memoir, All the Work I Never Wanted. Marshall will be joined in conversation by Michelle Kicherer. About the book: The lady at the plastic-cup-making factory is missing her fingers. The kid at the burger joint is spitting on patties. The newspapers
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
The Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe is excited to welcome Steven Pfau to celebrate his hybrid memoir, Say Nephew. Pfau will be joined in conversation by Milo Muise.
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
Kick off Pride Month at the Literary Bookstore & Cafe! We are excited to welcome Rosiee Thor to celebrate their book, Being Aro: A Collection of Aromantic Stories about Love. Thor will be in conversation with local author Sydney Langford. About the book: Explore expansive aromantic love and connection in stories across genres These twelve
***NEW START TIME*** Starting in June, One Page Wednesday will begin at 6:30 PM, with open mic sign-ups opening at 6:00 PM. 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 to read –
The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is thrilled to be a part of Portland Book Week 2026! Come on down to the store, buy a Portland Book Week tote bag, and check some items off your Bingo card. Also, check out these events at Literary Arts during Portland Book Week: Tuesday, June 9 at 5:30
To celebrate Portland Book Week, the Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is hosting a special write-in. The evening's theme is roadtrip! Put pen to paper and write about your next cross-country adventure. Need inspiration? Try our gumball machine full of thoughtful writing prompts. About write-ins: Write-ins are community gatherings where writers come together to share
The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is excited to welcome author Brianna Jett to celebrate the release of their book, Under a Carnivore Sky. Jett will be in conversation with 2026 Oregon Book Award finalist Courtney Gould. I’m the only one left hunting the monster, the only one left with a chance of saving us
The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is honored to welcome Illuminated Cities founder zehra imam for an evening of conversation with National Book Award-winning author and Literary Arts board member Omar El-Akkad. About Illuminated Cities:Â Since 2012, Illuminated Cities has worked with communities impacted by systemic violence to offer: Creative healing tools for expression through
To celebrate the Mendoza Cafe’s first chapter, Literary Arts is inviting the community to join us from June 14 through July 4 for food and drink specials inspired by the literary spirit of the cafe. Visitors can enjoy special menu offerings, vote for their favorite in-house syrup flavor, and take part in anniversary promotions throughout the celebration. Whether
The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is thrilled to welcome Melissa Febos to celebrate the paperback release of her book, The Dry Season. Febos will be joined in conversation by Genevieve Hudson. About the book: In the wake of a catastrophic two-year relationship, Melissa Febos decided to take a break: For three months, she would
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
Join us at the Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe for our monthly write-in. This month's theme is Pride. Enjoy a night of community writing and light socializing. All are welcome! About write-ins: Write-ins are community gatherings where writers come together to share space, write, and make connections. Whether you’re here to hit word count or make
***NEW START TIME*** Starting in June, the BIPOC Reading Series will begin at 6:30 PM. 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
Questions about applying to this year's Oregon Literary Fellowships? Join us at this information session! Drop in any time between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.; register at this link.
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