Events, Classes, and Seminars
We have moved many of our offerings online! We hope you will join us.
Featured Events
March 2021
Winter 2021 Writing Classes
Nature Writing Now
Tue, March 2 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm PST
What does it mean to write about nature now? We are living at a time of great ecological peril and promise, when some are questioning whether “nature” still even exists. How to write about this complexity in authentic and evocative ways? How to convey both the beauty and the corruption of beauty? Together, we will consider a wide sampling of historical and contemporary nature writing. Noticing how the genre has changed over time will help us understand how our cultural…
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Free Events Writing Classes Youth Events
Pop Culture Poems! a Youth Poetry Slam Workshop | #Virtualandia! 2021
Wed, March 3 from 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm PST
This workshop will take a look at the ways poetry and pop culture intersect. We will practice inhabiting the voices of fictional characters, historical figures, and celebrities when tackling important themes in the work we create – from the likes of Mario to Frida Kahlo, Beyonce to Jon Snow. Led by Julia Gaskill, this workshop will experiment with using pop culture in writing, particularly in slam poetry, and will also do a quick rundown on how to write a slam…
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Free Events
One Page Wednesday: March
Wed, March 3 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm PST
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! Hosted by Natalie Serber. Register in advance for this event. This month's featured reader is Molly Gaudry. Molly is the author of the verse novels Desire: A Haunting and We Take Me Apart, which was shortlisted for the PEN/Osterweil and a finalist for…
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Delve Readers Seminars Winter 2021
History of the Peloponnesian War
Wed, March 3 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PST
The Peloponnesian War is the Ancient Greek historian Thucydides's account of the strife, conflict, civil war, and military and political catastrophe he witnessed and lived through as a citizen of Athens during and after the reign of the great Pericles in the 5th century BCE--the height of the classical period. A lifelong student of democracy, his meticulous and dramatic analysis of the decades-long strife between Athens and Sparta presents a complex and probing picture of politics, character, and what he…
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Winter 2021 Writing Classes
Craft Conversations: Focus on Scenes: Build Back Better
Sat, March 6 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm PST
The scene is a building block of fiction and memoir. During this discussion we will take a deep dive into the components of scene writing. What makes a scene compelling? How can we make scenes vivid and earn their place on the page? If scenes must move stories forward, and reveal character, how can you include both external events and interiority? What about handling time? Character's goals? Obstacles? And, when is it best to use summary? Through writing examples, prompts…
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Free Events Writing Classes Youth Events
All About Slam! a Q&A Session | #Virtualandia! 2021
Mon, March 8 from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm PST
Learn about the slam poetry process, #Virtualandia, and ask any questions you have whether it's about form, performance tips, or inspiration sources. This Q&A session will be led by local experts in slam poetry—Jacque Dixon, an educator and coach for our Brave New Voices team, and Jordan Wolmut, 2019 Verselandia! grand slam champion and Brave New Voices poet. Olivia Jones-Hall, Youth Programs Manager, will also be in the session to answer any logistical questions about submission, prizes, competition rules, or…
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Free Events Writing Classes Youth Events
From the Page to the Stage! a Youth Poetry Slam Workshop | #Virtualandia! 2021
Wed, March 10 from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm PST
You've got the words, so how do you say them? This workshop will provide the author different methods for how to bring out the best performance out of themself and their poem. We’ll read and discuss a few poems, practice some fresh techniques together, and have plenty of time for questions. -- RSVP HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtualandia-2021-workshop-and-qa-sessions-tickets-142756002045 -- Workshops are free and open to all students. These will be hosted via Google Meet and led by talented youth and adult slam poets.…
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Free Events
Incite: Queer Writers Read – March
Wed, March 10 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PST
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 theme for March is Repair/Rebuild. Register for this event in advance.
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Free Events Youth Events
Feedback Session #1 for Youth Slam Poets | #Virtualandia! 2021
Fri, March 12 from 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm PST
Get 1:1 support from slam experts during 15-20 minute sessions whether you need support with writing, revision, performance, or anything else. Co-hosted by Jacque Dixon and Julia Gaskill. -- sign up here: tinyurl.com/virtualandia-feedback-21 -- Feedback sessions are free and open to all #Virtualandia students. These will be hosted via Google Meet. For questions about feedback sessions, please contact Emilly Prado, Director of Youth Programs, at emilly@literary-arts.org. -- About the Competition #Virtualandia! 2021 is an exciting opportunity for students from eligible*…
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Delve Readers Seminars Spring 2021
Søren Kierkegaard: What is Our Situation?
Sun, March 14 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm PDT
In the six meetings of our Delve seminar we will read selections from books by Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855), a philosopher of the highest importance and influence in general philosophy, moral philosophy, and religious thought. In Western philosophy, he stands with Plato and Nietzsche alone as a literary stylist of the greatest genius. The most familiar characterization of Kierkegaard is that he is the founder of existentialism. In this seminar we will try as best we can to look at him…
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Free Events
2020 Oregon Literary Fellows Reading & Conversation
Wed, March 17 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT
Join the 2020 Oregon Literary Fellowship recipients for a reading and conversation. There will be time for a "Q&A" session at the end. Register for this Webinar here.
Find out moreFree Events Youth Events
Feedback Session #2 for Youth Slam Poets | #Virtualandia! 2021
Thu, March 18 from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm PDT
Get 1:1 support from slam experts during 15-20 minute sessions whether you need support with writing, revision, performance, or anything else. Co-hosted by Jacque Dixon and Alex Dang. -- sign up here: tinyurl.com/virtualandia-feedback-21 -- Feedback sessions are free and open to all #Virtualandia students. These will be hosted via Google Meet. For questions about feedback sessions, please contact Emilly Prado, Director of Youth Programs, at emilly@literary-arts.org. -- About the Competition #Virtualandia! 2021 is an exciting opportunity for students from eligible*…
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SPRING 2021 Writing Classes
Revision: Taking a Second Look
Sat, March 20 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm PDT
Most authors know that real writing begins with rewriting. Yet, revision is one of the most challenging parts of the writing process. How do we dig deeper and color in the edges to make our writing more evocative? How do we use the senses to make it come to life? What would happen if we approached the same material from the perspective of a different character? Or from an entirely different point of view (third person as opposed to first-person…
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Free Events
Bagley Wright Lecture Series: Douglas Kearney
Wed, March 24 from 7:00 pm PDT
RED READ / READ RED: DEPICTIONS OF VIOLENCE IN POETRY Douglas Kearney has long written about the conflation of violence and entertainment in U.S.American culture, from badman folklore to postcards of lynchings. Still, there are questions that haunt. What are the ethics of representing violence? How might poetic aestheticizations of brutality transform, reinscribe, or abet violence? Through a series of vignettes in which Kearney entangles his encounters with violence as a reader and his own attempts to put it down…
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Delve Readers Seminars Winter 2021
Joy Harjo: American Sunrise
Thu, March 25 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT
...we still want justice. We are still America. We know the rumors of our demise. We spit them out. They die soon. -Joy Harjo,“American Sunrise” Our current poet laureate Joy Harjo describes her work as writing that both “tells the truth and creates the truth", providing a “memory on which to build.” Harjo, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, is the author of nine books of poetry, one memoir, several plays, children’s books, and most recently, the editor of…
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Free Events Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships
2021 Oregon Book Awards finalists announced
Mon, March 29
The Oregon Book Awards honors the state’s finest accomplishments by Oregon writers who work in genres of poetry, fiction, graphic literature, drama, literary nonfiction, and literature for young readers. Finalists will be announced on our web site on March 29, 2021, and winners will be announced May 2, 2021, on a special episode of the Archive project.
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Free Events Writing Classes Youth Events
Performance that Pops! a Youth Poetry Slam Workshop | #Virtualandia! 2021
Mon, March 29 from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm PDT
Refine your performance chops in anticipation of #Virtualandia! and more at this workshop co-led by two amazing slam poets—Jacque Dixon, an educator and coach for our Brave New Voices team, and Jolly Wrapper, third place Verselandia! 2018 winner and Brave New Voices poet. Topics may include projecting your voice with confidence, extending metaphors, transitioning themes, memorization tips, body language, and anything in between. -- RSVP HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtualandia-2021-workshop-and-qa-sessions-tickets-142756002045 -- Workshops are free and open to all students. These will be hosted…
Find out moreFree Events Youth Events
Feedback Session #3 for Youth Slam Poets | #Virtualandia! 2021
Tue, March 30 from 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm PDT
Get 1:1 support from slam experts during 15-20 minute sessions whether you need support with writing, revision, performance, or anything else. Co-hosted by Julia Gaskill and Alex Dang. -- sign up here: tinyurl.com/virtualandia-feedback-21 -- Feedback sessions are free and open to all #Virtualandia students. These will be hosted via Google Meet. For questions about feedback sessions, please contact Emilly Prado, Director of Youth Programs, at emilly@literary-arts.org. -- About the Competition #Virtualandia! 2021 is an exciting opportunity for students from eligible*…
Find out moreApril 2021
Fiction SPRING 2021 Writing Classes
Short Story Crash Course
Mon, April 5 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT
Draft a short story in six weeks. Classes combine generative writing to help cultivate ideas for plot and character with workshop feedback to assist in developing story arc, structure, and sensory details. You will also read short stories by masters of the form to help you envision a range of creative possibilities. By the end of the class, you will have completed a draft of a short story, created a plan for revision, and developed material for future projects. Access…
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One Page Wednesday
Wed, April 7 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm PDT
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! Hosted by Natalie Serber. April's featured reader is Marilyn Freeman. Click here to register in advanced. You don't need to live in Portland to participate. If you have questions, please contact jessica@literary-arts.org
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Ticketed Events
Everybody Reads 2021: Ross Gay
Thu, April 8 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm PDT
Multnomah County Library's Everybody Reads 2021 selection is acclaimed author and poet Ross Gay and his collection of essays, THE BOOK OF DELIGHTS. Literary Arts presents the culminating event of the program—an author lecture, which will be held virtually this year on Thursday, April 8, at 6:00 p.m.
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Ticketed Events
Jeff VanderMeer in Convo with Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Fri, April 9 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm PDT
Jeff VanderMeer and Silvia Moreno-Garcia discuss their latest speculative fantasy novels at the San Antonio Book Festival.
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For Bipoc Writers SPRING 2021 Writing Classes
Contents Under Pressure: Using Constraints to Stretch Your Creativity
Sun, April 11 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm PDT
for BIPOC writers only Putting constraints on our writing can feel like a challenge, but sometimes a little pressure is what’s needed to push our writing in a new direction or to find language for what seems unsayable. We’ll draw on Oulipian constraints like the lipogram and the Beatiful Outlaw, as well as visual constraints such as erasures and collage, to radically depart from our typical writing habits. We’ll also invent our own extreme constraints to discover what happens when…
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Free Events Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships
Oregon Book Award Poetry Finalists reading
Wed, April 14 from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT
Join us in celebrating this year's finalists for the STAFFORD/HALL AWARD FOR POETRY as they read from their work. Click here to see all of this year's Oregon Book Awards finalists. Register in advance for this webinar
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Free Events
Slamlandia
Thu, April 15 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT
An event every month that begins at 7:00 pm on day Third of the month, repeating until Thu, Aug 19, 2021
Slamlandia is a poetry open mic and slam that meets every month. 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 safer space for poets to read their own poetry, witness others, and participate in community. Hosted by Julia Gaskill. Register in advance for this event If you have any questions, please contact slamlandia@gmail.com or jessica@literary-arts.org.
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Free Events Oregon Literary Fellowships
2021 Oregon Literary Fellowship recipients announced
Fri, April 16
Oregon Literary Fellowships are intended to help Oregon writers at all stages of their career initiate, develop, or complete literary projects in poetry, fiction, literary nonfiction, drama, and young readers’ literature. Fellowships are also awarded to support Oregon’s independent publishers and small presses that demonstrate a commitment to literary publishing.
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Free Events Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships
General Nonfiction Finalists Webinar
Fri, April 16 from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm PDT
Join the five finalists for the Frances Fuller Victor Award in General Nonfiction for an hour-long discussion and reading of their work. FRANCES FULLER VICTOR AWARD FOR CREATIVE NONFICTION FINALISTS: Judges: Jordanna Bailkin, Farid Matuk, Adam Sowards Edwin Battistella of Ashland, Dangerous Crooked Scoundrels: Insulting the President, from Washington to Trump (Oxford University Press) Nicholas Buccola of Portland, The Fire Is upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate over Race in America (Princeton University Press) Kelsey…
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Free Events Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships
Oregon Book Award Fiction Finalists at Springfield Public Library
Sat, April 17 from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm PDT
Join the five 2021 Oregon Book Award finalists for the Ken Kesey Award for a reading as part of Springfield Celebrates Authors. Chelsea Bieker of Portland, Godshot (Catapult Press) Genevieve Hudson of Portland, Boys of Alabama (Liveright Publishing, W.W. Norton) Mark Savage of Portland, Fictional Film Club (Deep Overstock) Vanessa Veselka of Portland, The Great Offshore Grounds (Alfred A. Knopf) Lidia Yuknavitch of Milwaukie, Verge (Riverhead Books, Penguin Random House PPG)
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SPRING 2021 Writing Classes
The Writers’ Gymnasium: The Writing Workout
Sun, April 18 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am PDT
Six-week Class: This prompt-driven generative workshop will give writers an opportunity to flex their literary muscles. Classes will provide an intimate, structured, and supportive time to broaden basic and complex writing skills.
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For Bipoc Writers SPRING 2021 Writing Classes
April BIPOC writer workshop
Sun, April 18 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm PDT
One-day Workshop: Open to writers of color at all levels writing in poetry, fiction, or nonfiction. A variety of prompts will be presented as avenues for generating and sharing new work in an informal setting. You can also bring your own prompts and questions about the writing process, and explore them with the group.
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Portland Arts & Lectures Ticketed Events
2020/21 Portland Arts & Lectures: Joy Harjo
Tue, April 20 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT
A limited number of single tickets to this event have been made available (no need to purchase a full subscription). Scroll down to purchase a general admission ticket for this event. Joy Harjo is a renowned performer and writer of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and was named the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States in 2019. Harjo is the author of nine books of poetry—most recently An American Sunrise—several plays and children’s books, and a memoir, Crazy Brave.…
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Portland Arts & Lectures
Portland Arts & Lectures 2020/21 Season
Tue, April 20 from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm PDT
One event on Tue, May 18, 2021 at 7:30 pm
One event on Thu, Jan 28, 2021 at 7:30 pm
One event on Thu, Feb 18, 2021 at 7:30 pm
One event on Tue, Apr 20, 2021 at 7:30 pm
Literary Arts is pleased to announce the author line-up for the 2020/21 Season of Portland Arts & Lectures. Subscriptions start at just $90 for the series. Subscribe today! At this time, all lectures are scheduled to take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
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Free Events Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships
Creative Nonfiction Finalists Webinar
Fri, April 23 from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm PDT
Join the five finalists for the Sarah Winnemucca Award in Creative Nonfiction for an hour-long discussion and reading of their work. SARAH WINNEMUCCA AWARD FOR CREATIVE NONFICTION FINALISTS: Judges: May-Lee Chai, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Heather Sellers Sierra Crane Murdoch of Hood River, Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder, and a Woman's Search for Justice in Indian Country (Random House) Ruby McConnell of Eugene, Ground Truth: A Geological Survey of a Life (Overcup Press) David Oates of Portland, The Mountains of Paris (Oregon…
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Free Events
BIPOC Reading Series- April
Fri, April 23 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm PDT
The theme for April is "Uses of Anger" inspired by Audre Lorde's groundbreaking essay. This bimonthly 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. Click here to register for this event. This event is open to everyone, but only people who self-identify…
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For Bipoc Writers Free Events
Oregon BIPOC Writers Publishing Event
Sat, April 24 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm PDT
Literary Arts, Ooligan Press, and Portland State University's English Department partner to present the Oregon BIPOC Writers Publishing Event. This event is designed for writers who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color to connect to the publishers and authors seeking to hear their voices. Pitching a Book 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (PST) Distilling the important elements of a book into a concise and gripping pitch is a true art. In this presentation, seasoned literary agent Fiona Kenshole…
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Free Events Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships
Children’s Literature Finalists at Green Bean Books
Sat, April 24 from 2:00 pm PDT
Join the five Oregon Book Award finalists for the Eloise Jarvis McGraw Award, presented by Green Bean Books on Independent Bookstore Day. ELOISE JARVIS MCGRAW AWARD FOR CHILDREN’S LITERATURE Judges: Nikki McClure, Eliot Schrefer, Wendy Wahman Deborah Hopkinson of West Linn, Butterflies Belong Here (Chronicle Books) Jody J. Little of Portland, Worse Than Weird (Harper Collins Children's Books) Susan Hill Long of Portland, Josie Bloom and the Emergency of Life (Paula Wiseman Books, Simon & Schuster) Jenn Reese of Portland,…
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Delve Readers Seminars Spring 2021
From Another Angle: Marilynne Robinson’s Home, Lila, and Jack
Tue, April 27 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT
In this seminar we will read Robinson’s third, fourth, and fifth novels, Home, Lila, and Jack. These novels complete the quartet that begins with Gilead. Home takes up the story of one of that novel’s characters, Jack Boughton. Nemesis of Gilead’s narrator John Ames and son of Ames’s best friend, Rev. Robert Boughton, Jack has returned to his childhood home unexpectedly after a twenty-year absence. Now he, his aging father, and his recently-divorced younger sister Glory must navigate a difficult…
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Free Events Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships
Oregon Book Awards Finalists in Drama: Panel Discussion
Wed, April 28 from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT
Join the five Oregon Book Award finalists for the Angus Bowmer Award in Drama for a panel discussion, moderated by Chip Miller, Associate Artistic Director of Portland Center Stage at The Armory. Streamed live at Portland Center Stage on their You Tube and Facebook pages atYouTube, and Facebook ANGUS BOWMER AWARD FOR DRAMA Judges: Michelle Carter, Diana Grisanti, KJ Sanchez Sara Jean Accuardi of Portland, The Delays Conor Eifler of Portland, You Cannot Undo This Action E.M. Lewis of Monitor,…
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Ticketed Events Youth Events
#Virtualandia! 2021: YOUTH POETRY SLAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Thu, April 29 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm PDT
Click to read the event program #Virtualandia! 2021 is an exciting opportunity for students from eligible Portland metro area high schools to take part in a dynamic virtual slam poetry competition, and to win prizes like the title of #Virtualandia Slam Champion and corresponding $1,000 Visa gift card. Up to 300 youth poets will submit original work via video by midnight on Wednesday, March 31 to be reviewed and judged by a diverse group of artists and fans with a pulse on…
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Free Events
Elissa Washuta, Kristin Arnett, Morgan Parker and Tommy Pico: White Magic
Thu, April 29 from 7:00 pm PDT
Join Elissa Washuta, Kristin Arnett, Morgan Parker and Tommy Pico for "a Sagittarius group chat" about Washuta's new book, White Magic. Register in advance for this webinar
Find out moreMay 2021
SPRING 2021 Writing Classes
Looking Back to Look Forward: A Daily Writing Practice
Sat, May 1 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm PDT
This class will help you adopt crucial creative habits using your memory of the past to build a practice for the future. Using a series of daily in-class and at-home prompts that focus on ideas of home, trek childhood, and position memory as present, you will generate new work and use research-based ways to bring a sustainable practice into your life.
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Free Events Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships
Oregon Book Awards Show: The Archive Project
Sun, May 2 from 7:00 pm PDT
The 2021 Oregon Book Award winners will be announced on May 2, 2021, on a special episode of The Archive Project, airing on OPB Radio at 7:00 p.m. The hour-long show will be hosted by Omar El Akkad and Elena Passarello, and will feature readings from Oregon Book Awards winners, archival audio featuring Barry Lopez at previous Oregon Book Awards ceremonies, and an interview with CES Wood recipient Molly Gloss.
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Free Events
Wordplay Festival: West x Midwest Present Alison Bechdel in Conversation with Cheryl Strayed
Thu, May 6 from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm PDT
Join The Loft's virtual Wordplay Festival for a conversation between Alison Bechdel and Cheryl Strayed about Bechdel's new graphic memoir.
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Free Events
Wordplay Festival: Intercontinental Series featuring Helen Oyeyemi
Fri, May 7 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am PDT
Helen Oyeyemi, bestselling author of What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours, crafts a mesmerizing portrayal of two lovers forever changed by an unusual train journey in her new novel Peaces. As Otto and Xavier Shin depart on what appears to be a train constructed by their wildest imaginations, we discover that the past is never truly behind us—and could possibly be sitting right next to us. The Loft's Virtual Wordplay is presented by St. Catherine University and Star Tribune. In partnership…
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Free Events
Mary Jo Bang, Joshua Beckman and Zachary Schomburg
Fri, May 7 from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT
An evening of poetry, to celebrate the publication of Fjords Vol. 2 by Oregon Book Award author Zachary Schomburg. Register in advance for this webinar
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