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 community space and bookstore at 716 SE Grand Avenue, Portland, OR, online, and at partnering venues across Portland and Oregon.

Saturday

Jul 11

In-person   Writing Classes  

Performing Your Work: Practice for Public Readings

You’ve worked hard on your writing and you want to bring it to your readers beyond the page. As writers, we don’t often get much instruction in performing our work. Even as we give public readings, make audio recordings, and film our excerpts for the internet, we’re often left to our own devices. In this course, we’ll practice reading our work aloud, incorporating theatrical techniques and exercises, and experimenting with performance styles to bring our words to life for an audience.

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Thursday

Jul 9

Wednesday

Jul 8

Bookstore   Free Events  

Mike Copperman in conversation with Margaret Malone

The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is excited to welcome writer Michael Copperman to celebrate the launch of their book, Seeking Kenny. Coppermen will be joined in conversation by Margaret Malone. About the book: Kenny Cox devoted his life to wrestling: winning ten Oregon championships in collegiate, freestyle, and Greco-Roman, and five junior national championships. But

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Tuesday

Jul 7

Wednesday

Jul 1

Free Events   In-person  

One Page Wednesday – JULY

***REMINDER NEW START TIME*** 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 – or come

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Tuesday

Jun 30

Bookstore   Free Events  

YA and Middle-Grade Literature Pride Celebration

The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is pleased to welcome Ari Koontz, author of Just Ask Elsie, and 2026 Oregon Book Awards finalist Sara Ryan, author of Mountain Upside Down, for a special Pride celebration featuring book discussions, and community conversations. There will be fun hands-on activities throughout the evening. Join us on the mezzanine

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Monday

Jun 29

Bookstore   Free Events  

2026 Oregon Literary Fellowships Reading

Join us at the Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe for a celebratory evening of readings from the 2026 Oregon Literary Fellowship recipients. The following fellows will be joining us: Devon Fredericksen Jeremy Klemin Amy Marcott Jeffree Morel Jae Nichelle Pooja Nukala Diana Oropeza Molly Reid Jason Sepac Casey Walker Airlie Press Provecho Magazine This event

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Saturday

Jun 27

Bookstore   Free Events  

Rowan Kingsbury: Avery and the Squirrel Delivery

The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe is thrilled to welcome 2026 Oregon Book Awards finalist Rowan Kingsbury to celebrate the release of their latest book, Avery and the Squirrel Delivery. This event includes a presentation by Kingsbury and a special craft. About the book: A charming and sweet easy-to-read fairy adventure comic that touches on

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Thursday

Jun 25

Thursday

Jun 25

Wednesday

Jun 24

Free Events   In-person  

BIPOC Reading Series – June

***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

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Tuesday

Jun 23

Tuesday

Jun 23

Bookstore   Free Events  

June Write-In: PRIDE

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

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Sunday

Jun 21

Thursday

Jun 18

Free Events   In-person  

Slamlandia – June

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

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Tuesday

Jun 16

Sunday

Jun 14

Delve Readers Seminars   In-person  

Simone Weil: Paying Attention to the World

One of the most compelling figures of modern thought, Simone Weil (1909–1943) was a brilliant, often startling, and visionary thinker. She was a philosopher (one of first two women in France to earn a PhD, along with her classmate Simone de Beauvoir), teacher, writer, factory worker, pacifist, soldier, marxist, anarchist, Jewish, Christian, mystic, exile, playwright, translator, and mathematician.

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Sunday

Jun 14

Bookstore   Free Events  

Cafe-versary: The Mendoza Cafe at Literary Arts turns one

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

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Saturday

Jun 13

Bookstore   Free Events  

Illuminated Cities: zehra imam in conversation with Omar El Akkad

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:  Since 2012, Illuminated Cities has worked with communities impacted by systemic violence to offer: Creative healing tools for expression through

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Thursday

Jun 11

Bookstore   Ticketed Events  

June Hand-Sewing Social with SCRAP PDX

NEW DATE!  The Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe is thrilled to partner with SCRAP PDX for monthly crafting events. Join us at The Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe to hand-sew decorative plush to celebrate the start of PICNIC season! Sew felt berries, sandwiches, flowers, and more; customize a felt charcuterie board! Bring a friend! Make

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Wednesday

Jun 10

Tuesday

Jun 9

Bookstore   Free Events  

June Write-In: Portland Book Week Edition

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

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Saturday

Jun 6

Friday

Jun 5

Bookstore   Free Events  

Portland Book Week 2026

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

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Wednesday

Jun 3

Free Events   In-person  

One Page Wednesday – June

***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 –

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Wednesday

Jun 3

In-person   Writing Classes  

WRITING FIRST-PERSON FICTION

In this course we'll read a number of first-person stories and discuss the advantages and risks of this perspective and how the first-person perspective is effectively established and sustained. Participants will use prompts to experiment with the many possibilities of the first-person in their own creative work.

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Tuesday

Jun 2

Bookstore   Free Events  

Rosiee Thor in conversation with Sydney Langford

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

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Tuesday

Jun 2

In-person   Writing Classes  

Write Like You’re Swimming: From Self-Doubt to Compassion and Creative Flow

Through guided meditations, writing exercises, and reading excerpts of big-hearted, emotionally courageous literature, writers of fiction and nonfiction will develop more self-connection, feel compassion for themselves as writers as well as for their characters, and care for their nervous system during the writing process, so they can enjoy more flow, catharsis, and joy.

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Wednesday

May 27

Free Events   In-person  

BIPOC Reading Series – May

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

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Tuesday

May 26

Thursday

May 21

Free Events   In-person  

Slamlandia – May

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

Find out more
Tuesday

May 19

Friday

May 15

Thursday

May 14

Tuesday

May 12

Bookstore   Free Events  

May Write-In: Light

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,

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Sunday

May 10

Free Events  

Monuments We Need: A Creative Zine-Making Workshop (Sunday)

Featured

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

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Saturday

May 9

Free Events  

Monuments We Need: A Creative Zine-Making Workshop

Featured

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

Find out more
Thursday

May 7

Bookstore   Ticketed Events  

May Hand-Sewing Social with SCRAP PDX

  The Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe is thrilled to partner with SCRAP PDX for monthly crafting events. Stay tuned for details on this month's crafts! Hand-sew decorative plush to celebrate the most important meal of the day... BREAKFAST! Sew felt eggs, pancakes, waffles, bacon, coffee, and more. ✨ Bring a friend! Make a friend! Grab

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Wednesday

May 6

Free Events   In-person  

One Page Wednesday – May

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

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Wednesday

May 6

Delve Readers Seminars   In-person  

Wallace Stevens: Collected Poems

Wallace Stevens is one of the most distinctive and extravagant voices in American poetry, an orator of the imagination and eloquent observer of the world's beauty. Beginning with the appearance of the astonishing Harmonium in 1923, Stevens published seven volumes of poetry while living an 'ordinary' life as an insurance executive in Hartford, Connecticut. His Collected Poems is a book of wonders, one of the landmarks of American literary modernism, and his poems are admired and studied for their lustrous language, their philosophical profundity, and their commitment to the importance of poetry in our everyday lives.

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Tuesday

May 5

Bookstore   Free Events  

Erin L. McCoy in conversation with Erica Berry

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

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Thursday

Apr 30

Delve Readers Seminars   In-person  

Faulkner and Morrison: Absalom, Absalom! and Beloved

Read Willima Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom and Toni Morrison’s Beloved, both of which consider the many scars, healed and not, caused by enslavement and the Civil War. Thinking about history, memory, and what Morrison calls “rememory,” we’ll consider what it means to live in a nation, to inherit its past, and to fight for a better future.

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Wednesday

Apr 29

Free Events   In-person  

BIPOC Reading Series – April

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

Find out more
Tuesday

Apr 28

Bookstore   Free Events  

Priscilla Bernard Wieden in conversation with Kim Stafford

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

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Sunday

Apr 26

In-person   Storytelling   Writing Classes  

Bring Your Story to the Stage

This class is for anyone ready to take a personal 5-minute story and actively shape it for an audience. You’ll work hands-on with one story. Drafting, refining, and testing it aloud. We’ll focus on structure, pacing, and point of view, helping you find the spine of the story and decide what belongs in this particular version of the story and what doesn’t.

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