Spotlighted Literary Events

Feb. 28th, 12:00 pm: Join Indigo Editing and other representatives of our regions booming literary scene at the Writers Resource Fair. Through the participation of over 30 local businesses, the Writers Resource Fair will provide writers with both tips of the trade and a taste of current literature of the Northwest. Multnomah County Central Library (801 SW 10th, Portland) is hosting the fair. Be sure to come early, the fair only lasts until 3 pm.

Feb. 28th, 6:30 pm: Local authors celebrate places of the heart through prose and poetry. Come enjoy sweets and beverages while listening to readings by Barbara Drake, Heather Strang, Sophie Tree, and Elizabeth Ciz at Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe (45 S State, Lake Oswego).

Mar. 2nd, 7 pm: Emily Alexander of Tears of Joy Theatre breathes new life into a classic by Dr. Seuss. Emily will give voice and body to Horton in various libraries in the Multnomah County system. Her first performance is at the Fairview-Columbia Library (1520 NE Village, Fairview). For more details and additional performances, please visit the event's website.

Mar. 3rd, 7 pm: The Oregon Literary Review and the Blackbird Wine Shop continue their First Wednesday series of readings, performances, and wine-tasting with a great group of writers. Join Mark Thalman, John Blackard, Penelope Schott, and Pedro Ponce for an evening of short fiction, poetry, and wine. The event is located at 4323 NE Fremont, Portland, and is limited to those 21 and over.

Spotlighted Literary Events

Tonight! Feb. 12th, 5:30 pm: Atelier Meridian and Ink-Filled Page host a collaborative valentines social, featuring readings from Ink-Filled Page: Red Anthology and an opportunity for you to print your own valentine with viscosity monotypes on the etching press. The event is free. You can take your valentine home for $5, and for that you will receive $5 off the cost of the Red Anthology. Atelier Meridian is located at 665 N Tillamook.

Feb. 14th, 7:30 pm: Portland Poetry Slam will be shaking the walls of Backspace in one of their monthly open slams. Karen Finneyfrock, an all-around poetry slam legend will be coming down from Seattle, WA. The event is free and open to the public. Backspace is located at NW 5th and Couch in Portland, OR.

Feb. 15th, 6:30 pm: Author and journalist Paul VanDevelder will speak and answer questions about the world of nonfiction publishing. Writers on the River is presenting this event at the First Presbyterian Church in Corvallis (114 SW 8th). This event is free and open to the public.

Feb. 17th, 7:30 pm: Barbara Drake and Bill Silverly will be reading selections of their poetry as part of the Mountain Writers Series at the Press Club (2621 SE Clinton). Suggested donation is $5.

Wordstock

Over the past four years, thousands of Northwest book lovers have discovered new writers and celebrated books and stories at the Wordstock festival. This year's festival is is right around the corner, and we need volunteers! Volunteer opportunities include escorting authors to their readings, assisting with book signings, staffing information booths, and selling merchandise!

If you would like to help us put on a great event, click on the following link to fill out the volunteer application form. (You can also access the form through Wordstock's website. Click on the "Get Involved" tab on the right of the hompage, and then click on the "Volunteer Signup" tab on the left-hand side of the page.) Feel free to sign up for more than one shift, a whole day, or the entire weekend.

Without volunteers, Wordstock would not be possible. We hope to see you this year. If you have any questions, e-mail the volunteer coordinators at volunteer@wordstockfestival.com.

Wordstock is Portland's annual book and literary festival, one of the city's most high-profile cultural events and the biggest celebration of books and literature in the Pacific Northwest.

Ink Splash Youth Writing Workshop

Join the editors of Indigo Editing & Publications, publisher of the Ink-Filled Page literary journal, and special guest Jan Underwood, author of Day Shift Werewolf, for an inspiring day of literary creation.

The day will include group writing activities in English and Spanish* as well as personal creation time. We’ll also workshop one of your stories, highlighting your writing talent and offering suggestions for further exploration. Light refreshments will be provided.

This workshop is geared toward young adults in grades 6–12.
When: Saturday, February 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Writers’ Dojo, 7518 N. Chicago Ave., Portland
Cost: Free/$15 suggested donation. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Community of Writers.
Bring: Five copies of a story to workshop

Space is limited, so register early! Register at www.indigoediting.com/inksplash.

*Participants do not need to be fluent in both languages to attend.

Writers to your marks. Get set. Bang!

Sledgehammer Writing Contest

Let Indigo shatter your writer's block!

When: October 18, 12 p.m. to October 19, 11:59 p.m.

How the Contest Works: Teams of writers converge in downtown Portland at noon on Saturday, October 18 to receive their first writing prompt and clues to further writing prompts. They head out to several locations around Portland to gather all four writing prompts, and have thirty-six hours to write the best fiction piece they can come up with. Final submissions are due back at the original location by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 19.

The winning team’s story will be published in a pamphlet to be distributed at Wordstock and available for download on our Web site. The winning team will also have opportunities to read their story at local literary venues, including Wordstock, and will win a stellar prize package.

Through the Sledgehammer writing contest, we support writing as a team activity, foster love for the beautiful city of Portland and its small businesses, and thrive through cooperative creativity among people and across the arts.

Writers, register now!
Sledgehammer FAQs
Thank you to our sponsors!