Spotlighted Literary Events

Mar. 28th, 7:30 pm: This Sunday marks the final qualifying showdown of this season's Portland Poetry Slam. Greg Bee, a Seattle slam-er and published poet, will be coming into town for this match. City finals are right around the corner, so expect the poets to bring only their best to the table. The slam has a suggested donation of $5 and is hosted at Backspace (115 NW 5th, Portland).

Mar. 31st, 7:30 pm: Peter Nathaniel Malae will be sharing his rendition of the Me Generation by reading from his debut novel What We Are. After publishing essays, poetry, and short fiction, it will be a pleasure to see this literary voice grow. Malae will be reading at Powell's City of Books on Burnside (1005 W Burnside, Portland)

Through Apr. 2nd: American diplomat John Van Antwerp MacMurray witnessed the early years of the Chinese republic after the fall Qing dynasty. Watching China change from an imperial power to a modern state, MacMurray documented the steps of this struggle. More than one thousand photographs, artifacts, and letters from MacMurray's time in China are currently on exhibit in the Collins Gallery of the Multnomah County Central Library (801 SW 10th, Portland).

Spotlighted Literary Events

Mar. 20th, 3:00 pm: Jon Raymond, author of the novel The Half-Life and short-story collection Livability (winner of the 2009 Oregon Book Award in Fiction), will reading and discussing his work as a part of the Nye Beach Writers' Series. Raymond has also been working on two recent films adapted from his collection of short stories. Audience members are also encouraged to bring their own work (under five minutes in length) to read during the open mic section of the evening. General admission is $5 and will be hosted at the Newport Visual Arts Center (777 NW Nye Beach Drive, Nye Beach).

Mar. 21st, 7:30 pm: Following the lives of British sailors searching for the Northwest Passage at the beginning of the 19th century, Anthony Brendt's The Man Who Ate His Boots promises to be a thrilling account. Arctic exploration seemed to hold the key for faster trade routes, but the venture to discover a safe passage took the lives of many men. Come see Brendt discuss this rich history at Powell's City of Books on Burnside (1005 W Burnside Street, Portland).

Mar. 25th, 7:30 pm: The upcoming Live Wire! radio variety show is sure to be a blast. This program features memoirist Kevin Sampsell, author Robin Romm, and journalist/author Arianne Cohen, among other guests, sketch comedy routines, and live music. Tickets are $20 for general admission, and this event will broadcast from the Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan Street, Portland).

Spotlighted Literary Events

Mar. 8th, 7:30 pm: Mary Gaitskill will read from her latest collection of short stories, Don't Cry. A writer not scared of discussing the taboo, this collection is sure to offer dark but beautiful gems. Gaitskill will be reading at Powell's City of Books on Burnside (1005 W Burnside, Portland).

Mar. 9th, 4:30 pm: Douglas Mao--professor of English at Johns Hopkins University and specialist in modernist prose and poetry--will examine one of the central themes of modernist work in his lecture "Utopia: Three Questions." Mao will be speaking at Reed College in Psychology 105 (3203 SE Woodstock, Portland).

Mar. 10th, 6:00 pm: The Multnomah County Library, in partnership with Pacific University's Master of Fine Arts in Writing program, provides a chance to learn from author Claire Davis as a part of the Writers Talking series. Davis's first novel, Winter Range, was the first book to win both the PNBA and MPBA awards for best fiction. She has since developed her style through a second novel and a collection of short stories. Davis will be speaking in the Collins Gallery of the Multnomah Central Library (801 SW 10th, Portland).

Mar. 10th, 7:00 pm: Poet and teacher Sage Cohen will be reading selections of her work as a part of the Milwaukie Poetry Series. A winner of the Ghost Road Press Contest and a teacher for over 15 years, Cohen brings a sense of truth and beauty to the art of poetry. She will be reading in the Pond House adjacent to the Ledding Library (2215 SE Harrison, Milwaukie).

Image credit: Powell's Books

Everybody Reads 2010: The Ghost Map

It's that time again: the eighth annual Everybody Reads event at Multnomah County Library. This year's book promises to be a great read: The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson, a gripping historical account of the violent cholera outbreak of 1854 London. A New York Times Notable Book of the Year and a national bestseller, the Washington Post calls The Ghost Map "a true page-turner."

Everybody Reads is sponsored by Beyond Fact, a partnership between Multnomah County Library and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. The goal of Everybody Reads is to create dialogue within our communities. From the Web site: "What if everybody read the same book? We'd talk to each other about issues that matter, and we'd celebrate the power of books in creating a stronger community."

Pick up your free copy at any Multnomah County Library, download a copy from Library2Go, or purchase one at participating bookstores. But hurry; copies are going fast. When you're finished, pass the book off to a friend who wants to read it or return it to the library. For more information on Everybody Reads 2010, including related events and discussion groups, visit the MCL Web site: http://www.multcolib.org/reads/

Zinesters Talking at MCL

When you think of the library, a few things may come to mind: librarians in cardigans and glasses that shush you if you're too loud, fines you don't want to pay, long lines for the computer....but what about zines?

That's right, zines! Did you know that Multnomah County Library is actually one of the greatest resources in Portland for zines and zine events? Zines, short for magazines, are self-published little gems of creativity that can range in topics from building a backyard chicken coop to autobiographical comics. Not only does MCL have a great zine collection available for checkout, but they also host a speaker series called Zinesters Talking where zinesters from both near and far talk about their work and zine culture. The series is currently in its fifth year, and there is only one session left, so be sure to check it out!

Tuesday, November 3, 6:30–7:45 p.m. Central Library, U.S. Bank Room

Historic Zinesters Talking:

Discuss the recent history of chapbooks, poetry and zines in Portland with Kevin Sampsell (co-author of Haiku Inferno; publisher, Future Tense Books; and small press champion, Powell's City of Books) and Leanne Grabel, poet (Lonesome and Very Quarrelsome Heroes, Short Poems by a Short Person), performer and teacher. Both events in the Historic Zinesters Talking series will be recorded and cataloged in the library's podcast collection.

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: Tues., Thurs., Fri. July 7, 9, 10

"There's no criticism when you read to a dog, there's no correction...He just licks your face and thinks you're wonderful." -The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The Multnomah County Library, in conjunction with DoveLewis, regularly hosts Read to the Dogs at libraries around the county. Youngsters get to sit and read with dogs (and their handlers).

When: 7pm

Where: There are four locations hosting this week--Albina, Hollywood, North Portland, and St. John's.

Cost: Free but registration is required

For more information see the complete schedule for Multnomah County Libraries. You can read the Seattle PI article at www.seattlepi.com/local/151660_crover09.html

Date: Tuesday, July 7

Portland's own Tin House editor Rob Spillman has worked to anthologize nearly 30 contemporary African authors in Gods and Soldiers: The Penguin Anthology of Contemporary African Writing. Featuring some familiar names like J.M. Coetzee and Chinua Achebe, there are plenty of new writers included. Come to hear Spillman speak about the book and its contributors.

When: 7:30pm

Where: Powell's City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St.

Cost: Free

For more detail about the anthology see Jeff Baker's article in the Oregonian. Read Spillman's article (written with Elissa Schappell) for Vanity Fair on Africa's new generation of authors.

Date: Wednesday, July 8

In the spirit of keeping a certain Pacific Northwest anomaly alive and well is Michael McLeod's fascinating contribution, Bigfoot: Anatomy of a Beast.

"Part history, part road trip, and part biography, this is the true story of a remarkable group of men whose obsession with Bigfoot turned the giant hominid into an American icon."

When: 7:30-9pm

Where: St. John's Booksellers, 8622 N Lombard St. Portland OR

Cost: Free

For more information, visit the St. John's Bookseller's website event page.

Spotlighted Literary Events

Date: Saturday, May 30
Powell's is hosting Localvores: Preparing Local Food and Eating Locally at the Farmer's Market. En route to loading up on locally grown produce, graze a selection of books on the subject. Timber Press Editor-in-Chief Tom Fischer, author of Perennial Companions, and Tami Parr, author of Artisan Cheese of the Pacific Northwest: A Discovery Guide, will be in attendance.
When: 8:30am - 2pm
Where: South Park Blocks at PSU or 850 SW Main St. Portland OR
Cost: Free
Visit Powell's events online or call 503-241-0032 for more information.

Date: Tuesday, June 2
It's beginning to look a lot like summer, especially if Emily Dickinson has anything to say about it. And she does! Just a sample:

“Like Petals from a Rose –

When suddenly across the June
A Wind with fingers – goes –"

The Belmont Library invites readers and listeners to enjoy Emily Dickinson's poems and letters celebrating summer. Hosted by Holly Springfield, meditation teacher and Dickinson reader, and Ellen Louise Hart, Dickinson editor, specializing in prosody and manuscript study.
When: 6:30 - 7:30p

Where: Belmont Library, 1038 SE 39th Ave. Portland OR
Cost: Free

There are more details at the Multnomah County Library Events site or call 503-988-5382.

Date: Thursday, June 4
Mariachi! Tapas! Tequila! Three good reasons to mark your calendars for the Portland Latino Gay Pride 2009 kick-off event, Voz Alta (Out Loud). The Miracle Theater will host the celebration, described as a "fusion of gay and Latino folklore, poetry, history and music." For the literary celebrant: "Poems by Chicana contemporaries, including [playwright, poet and essayist] Cherrie Moraga, will be fused with classic works by Federico García Lorca and others as traditional Mexican folktales blend into real-life stories from Portland’s Latino gay community."

When: Opening reception at 6:30pm, performance begins at 8pm

Where: Miracle Theater, 525 SE Stark St 97214 Portland OR
Cost: Free

The RACC calendar has more information as does the Latino Gay Pride website. Preview Cherrie Moraga's work.

Spotlighted Literary Events

Date: TODAY! Friday, May 15
If any of you hepcats happen to be in the Seattle area this evening, the local literary arts group, Youth Speak Seattle, is hosting the 2009 Seattle Youth Poetry Slam. Showcasing local youth talent, contestants will be selected for a team to compete at the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam.
When: 7pm
Where: Seattle Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave., Seattle, WA 98101
Cost: Youth $10 / Adult $15 available through brownpapertickets.com/event/55316
Contact: Angela Dy, 206-661-2036, angel@seattleyouthspeaks.org
For future events and additional program offerings, be sure to check out the official website for Youth Speaks Seattle: http://www.seattleyouthspeaks.org/

Date: Wednesday, May 20
Join the Graphic Novel Book Club in a discussion of The Surrogates: Volume 1 by Robert Venditti (drawn by Brett Weldele). It's 2054 and the world is populated by surrogates: remote-controlled articifical bodies that interact with one another. When a terrorist begins destroying surrogates, cops search for the perpetrator and begin to reevaluate the role of virtual reality. The book is available for check-out from the Multnomah County Library. The club meets the third Wednesday of every month. Next month's read: Exit Wounds by Rutu Modau.
When: 6:30pm
Where: Belmont Library, 1038 Se 39th Ave
Cost: free
For more information, call the Belmont Library at 503-988-5382 or visit www.multcolib.org/events/graphicnovel.html

Date: Thursday, May 21
Thursday begins the first of the Write Around Portland's spring series of writing workshops. For ten weeks, eight 2-hour sessions are being offered to new and seasoned writers. Engage the Portland writing community and gain valuable insight to your craft through freewrites and feedback from trained facilitators. Writing journals, pens, bus tickets, childcare and snacks provided. Pre-registration is requested. Email hotlipspizza@writearound.org with your name, phone number and date of workshop you would like to attend. Contact is Dawn Thompson at 503-796-9224.
When: 9-11am
Where: HOTLIPS Pizza at 2211 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Cost: suggested donation of $20 per workshop
For more information, be sure to check out http://www.writearoundportland.org/

Writer's Talking at Central Library

Don't miss this fantastic literary event on Saturday, May 16 at 1:00 p.m. at Central Library, 801 S.W. 10th Ave. Jeff Mapes, award-winning journalist and senior political reporter for The Oregonian, will talk about his new book, Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities. Mapes blogs on Mapes on Politics and also co-authored a book on Oregon history. In his newest book, he talks about the significance of bicycle culture spanning the different cities of Amsterdam, San Francisco, and New York. Publisher's Weekly says, "Focusing largely on the cyclists themselves, Mapes puts a passionate and pragmatic face to the 'new urban bike movement' while connecting the dots between cycling culture and a host of quality of life issues."

Writers Talking is a free lecture, discussion, and reading series sponsored by Multnomah County Library featuring regional writers. For more information on Jeff Mapes or other upcoming Writers Talking events, visit www.multcolib.org/events/writers.html

Spotlighted Literary Events

Date: Thursday, April 16
Poets John Isles and Kristen Hanlon will be at Lewis & Clark College for a poetry reading. John Isles is the author of Inverse Sky and Ark, and coeditor of the Baltics section of New European Poets. Kristen Hanlon’s chapbook, Proximity Talks, was published in 2005. Her poetry has appeared in the Colorado Review, Puerto del Sol, VOLT and the New Orleans Review. This event is co-sponsored by Watzek Library Special Collections. Refreshments will be served!
When: 3:00pm
Where: Lewis & Clark College, Pamplin Society Room
Cost: Free
For more information, please contact Dyann Alkire at 503-768-7405 or visit http://www.lclark.edu/dept/english/specialevents.html

Date: Thursday, April 16
Leading up to this weekend’s Stumptown Comics Fest, learn about webcomics with Carolyn Main, freelance cartoonist. Her webcomics include the sci-fi epic “Personal Mission” and the gags of “Quickies” as well as some short animation and comedies.
When: 4:30-5:30pm
Where: Multnomah Central Library, U.S. Bank Room
Cost: Free
Check out http://www.multcolib.org/books/zines/events.html for more information

Date: Friday, April 17
Another Stumptown Comics Fest event is “Zinesters Talking” with Hellen Jo and Dunja Jankovic. Hellen Jo is the author of Jin and Jam #1, a comic about suburban teens. Most recently, she wrote and drewthe short ghost story “Diamond Heights” for the serial comics anthology Papercutter. Dunja Jankovic is the author of Department of Art, a story about time and procrastination very reminiscent of Kafka. Department of Art was nominated for the Ignatz Award for Outstanding Comic in 2008.
When: 4:30-5:30om
Where: Central Library, U.S. Bank Room
Cost: Free
For more information, check out http://www.multcolib.org/books/zines/events.html

Date: Saturday, April 18
Author Matt Love will be at the Multnomah Central Library as part of their “Writers Talking” series. Love is the editor of the Beaver State Trilogy and Citadel of the Spirit: Oregon’s Sesquicentennial Anthology as well as the founder of the Nestucca Spit Press. Love also writes the “Lost Northwest Books” column for The Oregonian and contributes to Bear Deluxe and Oregon Coast Today.
When: 1-2:30pm
Where: Central Library, U.S. Bank Room
Cost: Free
For more information visit http://www.multcolib.org/events/writers.html

Spotlighted Literary Events

Date: Sunday, April 5
MAD Magazine Senior Editor Joe Raiola will be discussing First Amendment issues, including the effects of 9/11 on free speech. Raiola will also trace MAD’s history with a one-of-a-kind slide presentation spotlighting many of MAD’s most controversial covers and articles.
When: 12:30-1:45pm
Where Multnomah Central Library, U.S. Bank Room
Cost: Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program.
*This event will occur a second time on Tuesday, April 7 from 6:30-7:45pm at the Midland Library*
For more information, check out the events page at http://www.multcolib.org

Date: Tuesday, April 7
Phillip Knightly and Thomas Ricks will be at Lewis & Clark College as part of the 47th International Affairs Symposium to discuss different issues with journalism, the military, and how much information is too much information. The title of their lecture is “Black and White and Read All Over: Embedding Journalists with Modern Warriors.”
When: 7pm
Where: Lewis & Clark College, Templeton Student Center, Council Chambers
Cost: Free
For more information, please contact Amy Timmins at 503-768-7630 or visit the International Affairs Symposium website at http://www.lclark.edu/dept/iaffairs/sympo2009.html

Date: Thursday, April 9
Poet Matthew Dickman will be at Reed College as part of their Visiting Writers Series. Dickman’s first collection of poetry, All American Poem, won the 2008 American Poetry Review/Honickman First Book Prize in Poetry while his chapbook, Amigos, was published in 2007 by Q Ave Press. His poetry also appears in Tin House, the Clackamas Literary Review, Agni Online, and The New Yorker.
When: 6:30pm
Where: Reed College, Psychology 105
Cost: Free
For more information, visit http://www.reed.edu/visiting_writers/index.html

Date: Thursday, April 9
Join VoiceCatcher poets for a National Poetry Month reading at the Looking Glass Bookstore! This event will feature readings from the new VoiceCatcher anthology. The poet line-up has yet to be announced, so be sure to check the Looking Glass events page for more information!
When: 7pm
Where: Looking Glass Bookstore, 7983 SE 13th Ave
Cost: Free
Check out http://lookingglassbook.qwestoffice.net/Events3.htm for more information.

Spotlighted Literary Events

Date: Sunday, March 15
Come to the Writers Resource Fair, hosted by the Central Library, and discover the different resources and opportunities available for the local writer! The John Wilson Special Collection will be open from 1-3pm, showcasing the library’s amazing rare books and manuscripts in their environmentally controlled room. Many different organizations (including Indigo!) will be present to offer support and to chat about different opportunities for writers in the region. Come chat, enjoy refreshments, and bask in the glory of Portland’s literary community!
Where: Multnomah County Central Library, Downtown Portland
Time: noon-3pm
Cost: Free
For more information, visit the Multnomah County Library website at www.multcolib.org

Date: Sunday, March 15
Lemony Snicket, bestselling author of the Series of Unfortunate Events, will be at Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing signing copies of his new book The Composer Is Dead, which comes with a CD featuring Snicket’s own narration and original music performed by the San Francisco Symphony (only the new book is eligible for signing). Illustrator Carson Ellis, best known for her cover art for The Decemberists, will also be present.
Where: Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing
Time: 2pm
Cost: $17.99 and include admission and a copy of The Composer Is Dead. Tickets can be purchases at Powell’s at Cedar Hills Crossing, online, or by calling 503-288-4651. There are only 300 tickets, so be sure to purchases yours ASAP!
For more information, check out the calendar page at www.powells.com

Date: Monday, March 16
Powell’s 2nd annual Smallpressapalooza is finally here! Celebrating Small Press Month with a five-hour marathon of readings from local and national small press publications, read by the authors themselves. This event is co-sponsored by the Independent Publishing Resource Center.
Where: Powell’s City of Books on Burnside
Time: 5-10pm
Cost: Free
For a complete list of the authors and a schedule for readings, visit the events calendar at www.powells.com

Date: Tuesday, March 17
Scott Simon, NPR radio personality and award-winning journalist, will be featured as part of the Literary Arts Lecture Series presented by Portland Arts & Lectures. He is the author of three novels, his latest entitled Windy City, and two others, a memoir and a study on Jackie Robinson.
Where: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Time: 7:30pm
Cost: $12-$28; tickets sold through the PCPA box office and Ticketmaster
For more information, check out the events calendar at www.pcpa.com

Date: Thursday, March 19
Indigo Editing & Publications and Ink-Filled Page will be featured on KBOO’s Between the Covers show from 11-11:30am. Tune in to learn about the literary journal publication process and hear from your favorite contributors. We’ll also raffle off a free copy of Ink-Filled Page Anthology 2008 to one person who comments on one of the live-blog posts going on during the show. Be sure to tune in and thanks for the support!
Where: Anywhere you have a radio!
Time: 11-11:30am
Cost: Free!
Be sure to check back in with our blog, Seeing Indigo, for more information later this week!

Spotlighted Literary Events

Date: Tuesday, March 3
Opening night of the Second Annual Rise Above Art & Writing Exhibit! Refreshments will be provided and the reception starts at 6:30, so come on out and support such talented teens! Look for copies of the first Rise Above zine, titled Our World, containing poems, short stories, and artwork created by teens in the program. The exhibit will be on display through March 31.
When: 6:30
Where: Walters Cultural Art Center
Cost: Free
For more information, please email teensriseabove@yahoo.com or visit the Hillsboro Community Arts page at www.hillsborocommunityarts.org

Date: Wednesday, March 4
Randy Shaw, author of Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW, and the Struggle for Justice in the 21st Century, will be at the Multnomah County Central Library as part of their “Writers Talking” series.
When: 6-7:30pm
Where: Central Library, Collins Gallery
Cost: Free
For more information, check out the Multnomah County Library events page at www.multcolib.org


Date: Thursday, March 5
Poet D.A. Powell will be at Lewis & Clark College reading from his new book of poetry, Chronic. Powell’s books of poetry include Tea, Lunch, and Cocktails, a finalist for the PEN West, Lambda, Publishers’ Triangle, and National Book Critics Circle Awards. He has received a Paul Engle Fellowship from the James Michener Center, a fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts, Academy of American Poets Prize, and the Lyric Poetry Award from the Poetry Society of America.
When: 7pm
Where: Lewis & Clark College, Manor House, Armstrong Lounge
Cost: Free
For more information, please contact Dyann Alkire at 503-768-7405 or visit www.lclark.edu/dept/english/specialevents

Come see us!

We'll be at the Multnomah County Library's Writers Resource Faire this Sunday, March 16th. Stop in to meet us, say hi, or buy a copy of the Ink-Filled Page 2007 anthology. If you have questions about editing, writing, or publishing, this is the perfect time to get them answered and make some great contacts in the publishing field. You'll see plenty of great books you can't live without too!

Sunday, March 16
Writers Resource Faire
Where: Multnomah County Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave.
When: 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.multcolib.org