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.
Flaubert’s Madame Bovary is the quintessential modern novel. This is the paradigmatic “show don’t tell” writer who, by sheer force of talent, sweat, style, and restraint was able to turn a small, inconsequential notice in a provincial newspaper into one of the greatest stories of the Western tradition. Morally complex, ironic, insightful, and brilliant—if this
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.
Willa Cather (1873–1947) is one of the most beloved writers in the American canon and is one of those writers whose works are embraced both by a mass audience and by scholars within the academy. Over the course of the past 40 years Cather’s work has been claimed and fought over by such a variety
Sometimes we become so focused on productivity or “doing it right” that we stifle our creativity. In this class we’ll focus on one of the hardest parts of writing: writing. Each week we’ll use new prompts and guided activities to inspire new creation. We’ll look at the work of writers we admire and ask: how’d
Some real-life experiences are too bizarre, too painful, too otherworldly, to write about in a straight forward manner. What happens when you can’t or refuse to work from point A to point B. When point A isn’t where you left it and point B has rambled off, looped back around, and jumped on the back
Come celebrate the culmination of the Short Story Intensive writing class. Readings by class participants, hosted by class instructor Margaret Malone. If you have any questions about this event, please email Alexa Winik at alexa@literary-arts.org. Free and open to the public!
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
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
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
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 June is
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,
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
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. For the month of June, YOU are the featured reader! Join us for an open mic night with some writing prompts and fun! This event is open to
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 July is
This Delve explores two texts that are modern retellings of Korean folklore. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a retelling of Simcheongga, one of the five surviving stories of the Korean pansori storytelling tradition. The original story takes place in the Joseon Dynasty and deals with a daughter (Shimcheong) who sacrifices herself for
Questions about applying to this year's Oregon Literary Fellowships? Join us at this information session! The deadline to apply for a 2025 Oregon Literary Fellowship is Friday, August 2, 2024. Register in advance Please contact Alexa Winik (alexa@literary-arts.org) if you have any questions.
“The simplest answer is that a writer who gardens is sooner or later going to write a book about the subject–I take that as inevitable,” writes Eleanor Perenyi in her forward to Green Thoughts, her collection of essays on gardening. In this course, we’ll explore literature of the garden, using Olivia Laing’s book The Garden
Have you ever wondered how to turn your brilliant idea into a captivating picture book? In this 8-week course, you’ll learn the art of crafting picture books that leave a lasting impression. We'll explore the world of children's literature, studying beloved classics and contemporary favorites, to inspire your creativity. Through engaging lessons and hands-on workshops,
Gabriel García Márquez began his writing career as a journalist & once referred to the profession as "the best in the world." While the international literary community celebrated him as one of the greatest-ever fiction authors, he never ceased writing journalism. The Scandal of the Century was first published in English in 2019, & this
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
Ideal for those who have completed "From Idea to Manuscript" or have a foundational understanding of picture book creation. Take your picture book projects to the next level. This class will help you refine, revise, and curate your best work. Through collaborative workshops and structured deadlines, you'll finalize your manuscripts, making them ready for submission
Summer is the season for sizzling flings with short forms. This generative class will offer prompts linked to weekly themes—road trips, mix tapes, romances, adventures in nature—mashed up with a range of forms, from flash essays, hermit crabs, and acrostics to “found” pieces, such as centos and erasures. Writers will leave with a portfolio of
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
Questions about applying to this year's Oregon Literary Fellowships? Join us at this information session! The deadline to apply for a 2025 Oregon Literary Fellowship is Friday, August 2, 2024. Register in advance Please contact Alexa Winik (alexa@literary-arts.org) if you have any questions.
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
César Aira is one of the most prolific authors of our time, having published over 100 books since 1975, his bizarre & starkly idiosyncratic work pushes through genres that sometimes collapse mid-text only to be rebuilt around another plot to end his powerful little books. Winner of numerous literary awards & finalist for the 2015
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 August
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.
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,
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
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
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
This course is for all levels of writers and readers. We will read and discuss excerpts from contemporary authors who write the self (or write from the basis of personal experience) such as Annie Ernaux, Carmen Maria Machado, Kate Briggs, Emmanuel Carrère, Zadie Smith, Rachel Cusk, Hilton Als, Melissa Febos, and others, in addition to
Friday, September 6, is the deadline for submission to the 2025 Oregon Book Awards and Special Awards. Books published between September 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024 are eligible. Complete Oregon Book Awards guidelines are here, and guidelines for the Special Awards are here.
Do you have a short story that is just not feeling right? You’re not sure what it’s missing or how to fix it? Or maybe you’ve got just the start of a story, or a vague idea and want to figure out how to write the rest. In this combination workshop meets craft class, we’ll
In this generative and meditative six-week class, participants will examine and strengthen their individual creative process through a combination of generative writing exercises and craft-process readings. We will review the fundamental aspects of the creative process and zoom in on developing a vibrant, thriving, and consistent creative routine. Ideal for writers of all genres, participants
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,
This course for dedicated writers is designed to guide you through the writing and/or revising of your novel. It runs from September through May. You’ll read excerpts from published novels by authors including Han Kang, Tommy Orange, Lina Meruane, Mitchell S. Jackson, Deborah Levy, and Susan Steinberg, as well as craft essays by authors including
Literary Arts is proud to present pioneer news anchor and reporter Connie Chung in conversation about her forthcoming memoir CONNIE (interviewer TBA). Tickets at select levels include a copy of the book.
This course for dedicated writers is designed to guide you through the writing and/or revising of your novel. It runs from September through May. You’ll read excerpts from published novels by authors including Han Kang, Tommy Orange, Lina Meruane, Mitchell S. Jackson, Deborah Levy, and Susan Steinberg, as well as craft essays by authors including
How do we process, reflect, embody grief in our writing? We will consider how lyric, narrative, discursive writing, research, fragmentation and silence play different roles in lyric essays, memoir, and poetry, demonstrating a relationship between content and form. Writing prompts will allow students to access language and memory in multiple ways. In a short period,
Springfield Public Library hosts the Oregon Book Awards author tour. The day starts with two free workshops and ends with a reading and discussion. All events are free and open to the public. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Beginning the Personal Essay with Steven Moore In this hour long workshop, writers will focus on the first
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
This writing class will briefly examine how race and racism has been used to oppress the lives of Black, Indigenous and other racialized peoples. Participants will also explore how the lack of authentic representations in stories impacts the reader - specifically the young reader - regardless of their own race. This class asks participants to
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
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