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.
Writers can't decide what to do with grief. It has wrongly been called too sentimental or too cold. Too traumatic or too unoriginal. But regardless of the current writerly opinion
Being alive is really a very strange endeavor. Bizarre coincidences, déjà vu, the fallibility of our own memory and perceptions, and inexplicable, seemingly magical occurrences are perhaps all more commonplace
During this weekend autofiction intensive, we will take a deep dive into the unique art of autofiction. Autofiction combines the disciplines of autobiography and fiction. It can be written like
Please join us for a reading featuring recipients of the 2024 Oregon Literary Fellowships: Karleigh Frisbie Brogan Jenny H. Lee Makiia Lucier Kieran Mundy Rosanna Nafziger Ami Patel Ösel Jessica
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
“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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
On Monday, October 7, Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble will host a preview event of Playing With Words featuring a discussion between writers Stephanie Adams-Santos, Josephine Woolington, and Waka T. Brown
Amy Tan joins Literary Arts' 40th anniversary season of Portland Arts & Lectures on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
In this experimental writing class, we will wrench as many possibilities as possible out of one piece of writing, seeing what our various changes – subtle, extreme, and chance-based –
Ready to dive deeper into your picture book writing journey? In this course, designed for continuing students who have taken “Crafting Your Picture Book,” we’ll spark your creativity with unique prompts each week, along with template suggestions to help structure your stories. As we progress, you’ll have the chance to workshop what you’ve been writing, receiving feedback to refine and polish your work. This course is perfect for those looking to push their storytelling further and bring their picture book ideas closer to completion.
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