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: 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/