Ticketed Events
The Moth: Mainstage in Portland
The Moth returns to Portland on Tuesday, December 12. This extraordinary performance sells out quickly, so reserve your seats early and experience unforgettable stories told live! Literary Arts and The
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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.
Delve Readers Seminars In-person Winter 2024
Proust’s Remembrance of Things Past: The Guermantes way
Proust’s magnum opus is often considered to be the greatest novel of the 20th century. It richly repays the careful attention it demands, and becomes unforgettable. First-time readers, however, may
Delve Readers Seminars Winter 2024
George Eliot: Daniel Deronda
Young and beautiful Gwendolen Harleth is poised at a roulette table at a German spa, where she is observed by Daniel Deronda, an exceptionally handsome upper-class Englishman. Later, a reversal
Delve Readers Seminars In-person Winter 2024
Selling your Soul for Fun and Profit: Faustian Bargains
The Faust Legend takes up the question of selling your soul to the devil for magical success in this world. This Delve seminar looks at the legend in three famous
online class Winter 2024 Writing Classes
Six Month Short Story Intensive
This class is for experienced writers who are dedicated to starting the first draft of a story collection over the course of six months. Participants should have experience writing stories
online class Winter 2024 Writing Classes
More Joy: Writing for Resilience
What if we joined our sorrows? What if that is joy? - Ross Gay Following in the tradition of Ross Gay, and his new book, The Book of (More) Delights,
Delve Readers Seminars Winter 2024
Monsters and Morals: Art vs. the Artist
So the saying goes, “You should never meet your heroes.” The fact that this is such a common expression implies a longtime acceptance that the artist and the art they
Delve Readers Seminars In-person Winter 2024
“Lucid Abnormality”: The Short Stories of Elizabeth Bowen on the Homefront in World War II
Elizabeth Bowen (1899–1973) was maybe the greatest short story writer in English that you might not have read. In this Delve, we will read the two dozen stories she wrote
online class Winter 2024 Writing Classes
Writing the Novel: Getting to the First Draft
Writing novels can seem like a mystical process. Write every day, and a novel will appear. The work can feel isolating and disorienting, particularly for a writer’s first book, like
Free Events
2024 Oregon Book Award finalists announced
The 2024 Oregon Book Awards finalists will be announced on January 23, 2024 on our website. Winners will be announced at the 2024 Oregon Book Awards ceremony.
In-person Winter 2024 Writing Classes
Get Writing: Unblocking Writer’s Block
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
online class Poetry Winter 2024 Writing Classes
There’s Something About Mary: The Practice of Looking Closely with Mary Oliver & Mary Ruefle
"I’m half crazy with the wonder of it- the abundance of leaves, the quietness of the branches, the hopelessness of my effort. And I’m, in that delicious and important place,
online class Winter 2024 Writing Classes
Write the Self: the study and practice of writing from personal experience
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
online class Winter 2024 Writing Classes
Recharge Your Writing Life: Experiments & Strategies
Equal parts strategy, community, generative writing, and experiment, this class will help writers spark curiosity and deepen self-knowledge while crafting artistic habits that nourish. A good fit for writers who
Winter 2024 Writing Classes
Fiction Intensive
Generate pages and explore the finer nuances of the world of your short story or novel in this Fiction Intensive! Over the course of 12 weeks, participants will work on
Delve Readers Seminars Online Winter 2024
The Age of Doubt
A translated collection of short stories from one of Korea's most renowned writers, Pak Kyongni, Age of Doubt explores the postwar Korea of the 50s and 60s. A time of
Delve Readers Seminars In-person Winter 2024
José Saramago’s Allegories of the Human Condition
In this Delve, we will read Portuguese Nobel-laureate José Saramago’s breathtaking novel, Blindness (1995), focusing in particular on the concept of “community.” The novel posits the trope of community as
Free Events online class Writing Classes
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
For BIPOC writers Free Events In-person
BIPOC Reading Series February
Featured
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 In-person
One Page Wednesday
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
online class Winter 2024 Writing Classes
Noticing: Writing as an Act of Attention
In this class, we will drop all worry about being “writers.” Instead, we will simply use writing as a means of grounding our own attention. We will be prompted by
Free Events In-person
Incite: Queer Writers Read
Featured
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 Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships Oregon Book Awards Author Tour
Sindya Bhanoo and Marcelle Heath
Recipient of the 2023 Ken Kesey Award in Fiction, Sindya Bhanoo, and 2024 finalist Marcelle Heath will speak about their works at the Linfield Nicholson Library, as part of the
Delve Readers Seminars In-person Winter 2024
The Anti-Western: Cormac McCarthy, Carmen Boullosa and the Myth of the American West
The Wild West has always been a fiction. The heroic cowboy settling the frontier is a myth. The Western novels of the mid-20th century rewrote genocide & colonialism to justify
Delve Readers Seminars In-person Spring 2024
Homer, The Iliad: the Emily Wilson translation
Emily Wilson's new translation of the Iliad, building on the accomplishment of her recent translation of the Odyssey, has kindled fresh interest in Homer's perennially relevant war epic. In this
For BIPOC writers Free Events In-person
BIPOC Reading Series March
Featured
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
online class Spring 2024 Writing Classes
ON GHOSTS, GHOSTING and HAUNTS
What is a ghost if not spirit energy yearning for form and expression? In our time together, we’ll explore a range of structures capable of hosting ghosts, from epistolary to
online class Spring 2024 Writing Classes
Creative Nonfiction Workshop
This six-week class will hold space for creative nonfiction writers to write and discuss short creative nonfiction works (memoir, essay, lyric essay). Writers at every level---from beginner to experienced---are welcome
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:
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
Ticketed Events
Everybody Reads 2024: Gabrielle Zevin
Celebrate the power of books to create a stronger community by attending the 2024 Everybody Reads author event with Gabrielle Zevin! In partnership with Multnomah County Library and The Library
Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships Ticketed Events
2024 Oregon Book Awards Ceremony
Featured
Join us for an evening honoring our state's most accomplished writers in the genres of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, young readers, and drama.
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
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
In-person Spring 2024 Writing Classes
A Wrinkle in Time: How to Manage Chronology
One of the central struggles in storytelling is that human beings are, in essence, time travelers. We live in the past of our memories and the future of our hopes.
In-person Spring 2024 Writing Classes
How to Write Riveting Scenes
The key to any unforgettable work of prose resides in the quality of its scenes. In this class, we’ll look at some of the best scenes ever written and investigate
Delve for Writers Delve Readers Seminars In-person Spring 2024
Aimee Nezhukumatathil
DELVE FOR WRITERS: An occasional Delve series that offers seminars that focus on close readings of narrative, form, and stylistic choices that writers can incorporate into their own writing practice.
online class Spring 2024 Writing Classes
Relearning the Lyric Essay
In this six week class, students will explore the lyric essay form and learn to appreciate what makes it one of the most imaginative and creative writing genres around. Class
online class Spring 2024 Writing Classes
Places & Spaces: Making settings come to life
How do you describe the Oregon coast, a garden full of dahlias, or the vibe of your favorite coffee shop? How do you write about a crowd of people? A
Free Events In-person
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
Ticketed Events
Aimee Nezhukumatathil: Portland Arts & Lectures 2023/24
Featured
Portland Arts & Lectures 2023/24
Literary Arts presents Aimee Nezhukumatathil on April 18, 2024, as part of our 39th season of Portland Arts & Lectures.
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
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
online class Spring 2024 Writing Classes
From Idea to Manuscript: Crafting Your Picture Book: Tuesdays
We've added a second section! 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
online class Spring 2024 Writing Classes
From Idea to Manuscript: Crafting Your Picture Book
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
Ticketed Events Youth Events
Verselandia! Youth Poetry Slam Championship (2024)
Verselandia! is the annual youth poetry slam championship presented by Literary Arts. It is the Grand Slam for the winners from individual school slams hosted by public high school librarians.
Free Events For BIPOC writers In-person
BIPOC Reading Series April
Featured
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
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Literary Arts925 SW Washington Street
Portland, Oregon 97205
- 503.227.2583
- 503.241.4256 fax
- la@literary-arts.org
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