Spotlighted Literary Events

Apr. 17th, 3:00 pm: Come participate in another edition of the Mini-Sledgehammer Writing Contest presented by Indigo Editing & Publications. After a reading by Alan Dubinsky—the winner of last year’s contest—the audience will receive prompts and will have 36 minutes to write their own short stories. All entries will be judged on the spot and winners will take home prizes. The Mini-Sledgehammer Contest is free and open to the public—the event is hosted at Floyd's Coffee Shop in Old Town (118 NW Couch Street, Portland).

Apr. 20th, 6:00 pm: The New Oregon Interview Series is turning its eye toward the literature and arts in Portland. Join host Nora Robertson as she leads a discussion with artist/curator Nan Curtis, filmmaker/architecture critic Brian Libby, and writer Floyd Skloot. How is the Portland art scene in dialogue with other regions? How does our art allow us access to the outside world? The event is free and also includes an open wine and beer bar. Follow the discussion at White Stag Block (70 NW Couch Street, Portland).

Apr. 21st, 8:00 pm: Join the release party for Jeff Parker's latest graphic novel Underground. Parker, a local writer and comic book artist, twists the man versus nature story, moving the action to the caves of Kentucky. Parker has worked with DC, Dark Horse, Image, and Marvel. Celebrate this arrival of another great graphic novel at Things from Another World (4133 NE Sandy Boulevard, Portland).

Picture Credit: Cover of Underground #3 by Steve Lieber and Jeff Parker

Spotlighted Literary Events

Date: Friday, July 31-Saturday, August 1

The Rotary Club of Alpine in The Lone Star state is hosting the Way Out West Texas Book Festival to promote literary appreciation and to benefit the Alpine Public Library and its Marathon branch. Programs will feature authors who have written books on Western Non-Fiction, Texas Rangers, Natural History of the Big Bend, Humorous Fiction, and other topics.

Where: University Center, 2nd Floor, Sul Ross Espino Conference Center, Alpine, Texas

When: 7:30pm on Friday, 9am on Saturday

Cost: Friday's kick-off event is a ticketed event. Saturday's programs are free and open to the public

For more information visit the website.

Date: Registration begins August 4 for various event dates

Read the Classics "The books I always meant to read!" Read some of the best all-time classic books, with a professor from Reed College leading the discussions. And no papers are due! The five discussions series cover five literary eras. Registration is required and participation is free! Pick up your book(s) in advance of each program. Attend as many as you like.

When: Times vary

Where: Locations vary

Cost: Free with registration

For more information, visit the library events website or call the Reference Line at 503-988-5234.

Date: Thursday, August 6

Graphic novel artist and author Derek Kirk Kim (The Eternal Smile, Same Difference and Other Stories), will read from his work, discuss his creative process and answer questions from the audience. Teens and adults are invited to get graphic at this interactive presentation.

When: 6-7pm

Where: Community Room, Tigard Public Library, 13500 SW Hall Blvd, Portland, OR 97223-8111

To learn more, visit Kim's blog site.

Date: Thursday, August 6

Smorg is pleased to host San Francisco poets Erik Noonan and Christina Fisher, and local musician Justin Ready--guitarist and lead vocalist for Portland's own Pigeons. Food, beer, wine and espresso all available at The Waypost.

When: 7:30pm

Where: 3120 N. Williams Ave. Portland, OR

Cost: Free

Spotlighted Literary Events

Date: Sat-Tues, June 13-16
The Cape Town Book Fair in South Africa presents "Education for the Future."
The Book Fair is an ideal forum for cross-cultural dialogue and the open discussion of controversial opinions, ideas and issues. 29 countries will be present this year, with more than 250 exhibitors representing the full range of publishing in South Africa. This year sees the pilot of the first Cape Town Book Fair Invitation Programme which introduces 12 publishers from 12 African countries at the fair.
When: Visit the site for a schedule of events
Where: Cape Town International Convention Center
Cost: See site for details
Follow the event from abroad at the blog: www.capetownbookfair.blogspot.com

Date: Tuesday, June 16
At once a love letter to the Rose City and a dream of escape, the first-person narratives of Portland Queer reveal the contradiction and commonalities of life in one of the world's great queer meccas. A waiter falls in love with a straight guy from the cafe next door. A young dyke discovers gay karaoke at the Silverado. A pregnant man prepares for new life transitions. An ambitious teenager finds her tribe at St. Mary's Academy. A closet-case is confronted by his wife. And a video-game addict takes a chance on love. With Ariel Gore and special guests Lois Leveen, Michael Sage Ricci, Jacqueline Raphael and Nicole Vaicunas.
When: 7pm
Where: Reading Frenzy
Cost: Free
Reading Frenzy is hosting a slew of fantastic literary events this summer. Give it a glimpse!

Date: Wednesday, June 17
Graphic Novel Book Group is meeting to discuss Exit Wounds by Rutu Modan. The group meets every third Wednesday of the month. Next read is 20th Century Boys, Vol. 01, Friends by Naoki Urasawa. Check it out at your local library branch!

When: 6:30 pm

Where: Belmont Library 1038 NE 39th Ave Portland OR
Cost: Free
See the Multnomah County Library site for more details.

Date: Wednesday, June 17
Caught Red-Handed: Featuring awesome people telling true stories!!!
Back Fence PDX will take the stage with great people telling unmemorized eight-minute stories based on the theme, "Caught Red-Handed." In addition, a swimsuit fashion show featuring suits from Popina will be held at 7:15pm and Tinymeat will give away wallets at intermission.
Alcohol. Food. True Stories. 21 and over.
When: 6pm doors/7:30pm show
Cost: $10 online / $12 door
Where: The Mission Theater 1624 NW Glisan Portland OR 97209
Date: Wednesday, June 17
Learn more at http://backfencepdx.wordpress.com/.

Spotlighted Literary Events

Date: Tuesday, December 9
Sign up to participate or just kick back and listen to Broken Word Poetry at the Alberta St. Pub. The weekly series has amassed a following of performers and spectators. And it has turned the spoken word into the written word by publishing anthologies of past performers. Every week offers entertainment and inspiration. 21 and over only
Where: Alberta St. Pub, 1036 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR 97211
When: sign-up for performing is 7:00pm; show starts at 7:30pm
Cost: Free
For more info, call 503-284-7665

Date: Wednesday, December 10
The Mission Theater hosts Back Fence PDX, a storytelling series featuring true, unmemorized 8-minute stories told by musicians. This round is based on the theme "Rock the Bells", and performers include Gideon Freudmann of Portland Cello Project, Adam Shearer of Weinland, and Menomena's Danny Seim. Lend your ear to these musicians telling stories, and enjoy the full bar and menu at the Mission.
Where: The Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan, Portland, OR 97209
When: doors open at 7:30pm; show starts 8:00pm
Cost: $10 at the door; $9 online
For more info, visit http://www.backfencepdx.wordpress.com/

Date: Wednesday, December 10
At Looking Glass Books, the late writer and activist Grace Paley will be celebrated on the eve of what would have been her 86th birthday. Paley's friend, Ursula LeGuin, and biographer Judith Arcana (Grace Paley's Life Stories, A Literary Biography) will read along with other Portland writers. There will be good food, good drinks, and good memories to share.
Where: Looking Glass Books, 7983 SE 13th Ave., Portland, OR 97202
When: 7:30pm
Cost: Free
For more info, visit http://www.lookingglassbooks.qwestoffice.net/ or call 503-227-4760

Date: Saturday, December 13
Celebrate the opening of Guapo Comics and Coffee's new location in conjunction with a graphic novel release party. Joining Guapo in the event are Capacity's Theo Ellsworth, Invincible Summer's Nicole Georges, and The Night of Your Life's Jesse Reklaw, all of whom will read from their works. There will also be other cartoonists and multimedia comic readings, as well as refreshments. In the words of Guapo's blogger, the party will be an adventure in the "everyday fantastic".
Where: Guapo Comics and Coffee, 6350 SE Foster Rd., Portland, OR 97206
When: 7:00pm-10:00pm
Cost: Free and open to the public
For more info, visit http://www.guapocomicsandbooks.com/ or call 503-772-3638