Literary Arts
@literary-arts.org
A nonprofit literary center in Portland, OR dedicated to engaging readers, supporting writers, & inspiring the next generation with great literature. https://literary-arts.org/about/our-story/
#PDXBookFest is now SOLD OUT…but we still want to celebrate with you! ☂️ 📚 From November 2-8, Portland’s South Park Blocks will be humming with activities inspired by books and storytelling. View the full schedule of events: https://lit-arts.org/more_events
On tonight’s special rebroadcast of The Archive Project, we honor the life of author Annie Dillard, who passed away this month. In this talk from 1989, she reads from her books PILGRIM AT TINKER CREEK and TEACHING A STONE TO TALK. Tune in to OPB tonight, Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7:00 p.m. to listen!
I saw Patti Smith tonight at a stories and songs event for her book tour and I didn’t take any photos but I did surprise myself by weeping when she sang “Wing,” one of my all-time favorite songs. Huge thanks to @literary-arts.org for the tickets ❤️❤️❤️
Swing by The Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe for a bookish event this September. 📚☕ This month, we welcome Secrete Room Press for a comics reading, and we are hosting our very first trivia night. Visit lit-arts.org/september_events for more information! #PDX #PDXEvents #BookStore
We are thrilled to announce that The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich has been chosen as our 2027 Everybody Reads title! We’re so honored to celebrate 25 years of #EverybodyReads with our community. #booksky multcolib.org/everybody-reads
My 9-Month Novel Intensive with @literary-arts.org starts in two weeks! All levels and all genres of novel-length fiction are welcome. Join us via Zoom on Wednesday or Thursday evenings. literary-arts.org/event/nine-m... literary-arts.org/event/nine-m...
Nine Month Novel Intensive: Wednesdays
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. Some weeks you’ll have craft assignments to complete o...
literary-arts.org
On December 8, The Moth’s Mainstage returns to Portland, in partnership with Literary Arts for another legendary night of live storytelling. Tickets on sale now! https://lit-arts.org/themoth2026
Registration is open for both sections of my 9-Month Novel Intensive with @literary-arts.org! All levels and all genres of novel-length fiction are welcome. Join us via Zoom on Wednesday or Thursday evenings, beginning next month. literary-arts.org/event/nine-m... literary-arts.org/event/nine-m...
Nine Month Novel Intensive: Wednesdays
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. Some weeks you’ll have craft assignments to complete o...
literary-arts.org
August is here, and so is our lineup of events at The Literary Arts Bookstore. This month is all about storytelling; we will be hosting a D&D character creation workshop and a Cosmic Vibes-themed Write-In. Learn more: https://lit-arts.org/august_events #pdx #pdxevents
Don’t miss out! Passes to the 2026 Portland Book Festival are now on sale. ☂️📚🎟️ Join us on Saturday, November 7 for a book-filled day featuring over 100 local, regional, and nationally acclaimed authors. Learn more: lit-arts.org/pbf26_onsale! #pdxbookfest #portlandbookferstival #pdx
Literary Arts is seeking a Public Programs Manager! 🔍 We are seeking an enthusiastic individual to support our public programs, such as Portland Arts & Lectures, Portland Book Festival, and ancillary organizational projects. Learn more: lit-arts.org/jobs. #pdx #pdxjobs
Scot Nakagawa inspired full room of artists (and me) tonight at @literary-arts.org substack.com/home/post/p-...
What You Can Do Right Now
What You Can Do Right Now
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Literary Arts is thrilled to present New York Times bestselling author Patti Smith for An Evening of Songs & Stories at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (Portland’5 Centers for The Arts) on Tuesday, September 15. Get tickets: lit-arts.org/smith_2026. #pdx #portland #oregon #pattiesmith
The word is out! Literary Arts and The Reser are thrilled to present international bestselling author Min Jin Lee in conversation about her new book, AMERICAN HAGWON. 🎟️ Tickets are available: lit-arts.org/min-jin-lee. #pdx #pdxevents #portland #oregon #minjinlee
Author Dr. Matthew Desmond will be here in Portland on June 30 to discuss POVERTY, BY AMERICA at Portland’5 Centers for The Arts. Literary Arts trustee Susheela Jayapal will interview Desmond to discuss the systems shaping our communities today. More info: https://lit-arts.org/desmond #pdxevents
Dr. Matthew Desmond: A Voice of the People Series
Join the Department of Culture and Community for a powerful and illuminating conversation with sociologist and MacArthur Genius Dr. Matthew Desmond in the Newmark Theatre. Princeton University sociologist Dr. Matthew Desmond was launched onto the national stage as an expert on contemporary American poverty with the publication of his Pulitzer Prize winning bestseller Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. Combining years of embedded fieldwork with painstakingly gathered data, Evicted transformed our understanding of inequity and economic exploitation in America. Desmond’s latest...
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Literary Arts is pleased to welcome Jonathan Hill as the new chair for our board of directors! Jonathan has been part of our community for more than a decade through Writers in the Schools, Verselandia!, PBF, and years of board service. Learn more: https://lit-arts.org/jh_bc. #pdxwriter
Welcoming Jonathan Hill as Literary Arts’ New Board Chair
Literary Arts pleased to share that Jonathan Hill has been named the new chair of our board of directors.
lit-arts.org
Literary Arts is seeking a Director of Marketing & Communications! 🔍 This role will connect the institutional voice and branding across all Literary Arts programs, including the Literary Arts Bookstore & Cafe. Learn more: lit-arts.org/dir_marketingandcomms.
Congratulations to Literary Arts board member, Renée Watson, who was recently named one of TIME’s inaugural Visionaries. This list honors leaders who are shaping the future for young people across education, health, wellness, technology, and beyond. Read more: https://lit-arts.org/watson_time
This Children's Author Helps Young Readers Make Sense of Big Feelings
2026 Newbery Medal winner Renée Watson creates stories that give kids language for loss, joy, and everything in between
lit-arts.org
Portland Book Festival returns November 2-8! We're excited to announce that #PDXBookFest has grown into a multiday celebration centered around books and storytelling, with some of Portland’s most beloved cultural partners. ☂️📚🏙️ Learn more about: https://lit-arts.org/pbf26
Literary Arts is thrilled to announce that #1 New York Times bestselling author of BLOCKERS, Michael Lewis, will be joining us at The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on October 29, 2026! 🎟️ Tickets are available: lit-arts.org/michael_lewis. #pdx #pdxevents #michaellewis
The Literary Arts Bookstore is excited to announce that we are hosting National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Mac Barnett (@macbarnett), Colin Meloy, and Anis Mojgani to discuss picture books on August 6! ✨ 📖 🏰 🎟️ Tickets available: lit-arts.org/consider_the_pic_book
On tonight’s rebroadcast of The Archive Project, we honor the life and work of bestselling writer Marjane Satrapi. Like all great storytellers, Satrapi connected with millions of readers because of the universal nature of her work. Tune in to OPB tonight at 7:00 p.m. to hear the episode. #radio #pdx
The Literary Arts Mendoza Cafe turns 1! ☕🎉 Join us from June 14 through July 4, to celebrate. Enjoy food and drink specials, discounts, and vote for your favorite latte syrup flavor. Learn more about the Mendoza Cafe: lit-arts.org/cafe-aversary_2026. #portland #bookstores #pdxcafe #cafe #pdx
Tonight’s episode of The Archive Project features author Patrick Radden Keefe. In this lecture, Keefe discusses his book, LONDON FALLING, an investigation into the mysterious death of 19-year-old Zach Brettler. Tune in to OPB tonight Sunday, May 3, at 7:00 p.m. to listen. #pdx #pdxevents #podcast
Literary Arts hosted the 2026 Verselandia! Youth Poetry Slam Championship. Twenty-one poets from 12 high schools performed original poetry in front of a crowd, where they competed for poetic glory. Here are this year's winners: https://lit-arts.org/verselandia2026_winners
This month at The Literarts Bookstore, we are crafting with SCRAP PDX, hosting Theater Diaspora for a staged reading, and hosting a free zine workshop with comics artist S. Mirk. We are also excited to host community events, readings, and conversations. #pdxevents lit-arts.org/may_events
May Events & Writing Classes
This month at Literary Arts, we are crafting with our friends from SCRAP PDX, hosting Theater Diaspora for a live reading, and hosting a zine workshop with Shay Mirk.
lit-arts.org
2026 Verselandia finalist Owl Matthews is featured in Willamette Week in a piece by Arts and Culture reporter, Rachel Saslow. Saslow attended Owl’s qualifying high school slam, where they clinched their spot to compete at the Grand Slam tomorrow night. Read more: https://lit-arts.org/owl_matthews
On April 30, Owl Matthews Gets Their Last Shot at the Verselandia! Title
Earlier this year, three Cleveland High School students competed for spots at the citywide poetry slam.
lit-arts.org
Literary Arts is pleased to announce the lineup of the 42nd season of Portland Arts & Lectures. We look forward to another incredible season with authors and commentators who are pushing the boundaries of fiction, drama, and nonfiction. For more information: lit-arts.org/pal2627. #pdxevents #pdx
Literary Arts is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 #OregonBookAwards! ✨🎉 These authors represent the richness of Oregon’s literary community and exemplify the power of storytelling to illuminate the human experience. Read more about the winners: lit-arts.org/oba_winners_2026. #pdx
