Are you a writer looking for inspiration, support and community? Portland is a writing city, with many organizations focused on the craft. Here's a brief and by no means comprehensive list of some of those organizations. 

Writing groups, workshops, and classes

Literary Arts offers an ongoing BIPOC Reading Series, intended to prioritize the safety, creativity, and stories of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color. You can come to listen or sign up to share in an open mic. Anyone is welcome to attend, but only those who identify as Black, Indigenous or people of color are invited to read.

The Attic Institute presents workshops, classes, and individual consultation about writing projects.

The Multnomah Arts Center offers some wonderful literary arts classes.

Portland State University has a few different academic programs in creative writing.

VoiceCatcher is a nonprofit connecting and empowering women writers in Portland.

Write Around Portland offers free creative writing workshops, hosts a bimonthy BIPOC writing circle, and creates publication and reading opportunities for workshop participants.

For a variety of author readings and all things literary, check out Literary Portland. They maintain lists of author readings, book and discussion groups, writing organizations and more. They are also the people behind Old Pal, a journal devoted to literature and art.

Check out Meetup for a variety of creative writing groups in and around Portland.

Membership organizations

The Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC) offers resources and workshops related to printing and book-making. They also have certificate programs in creative nonfiction/fiction, poetry, and comics/graphic novels.

Oregon Poetry Association, Oregon’s oldest and largest literary organization, offers community, contests, and conferences.

Oregon Writers Colony offers community, conferences and workshops, and the use of a beach house writing retreat!

Rose City Romance Writers, the Portland, Oregon chapter of Romance Writers of America, educates, supports, and mentors published and unpublished romance writers.

Willamette Writers hosts regular meetings for the exchange of ideas related to writing and craft.

Reading series

Literary Arts’ programs include Portland Arts and Lectures, Writers in the Schools, the Oregon Book Awards and Fellowships, and Delve Readers Seminars.

There are many different reading series in Portland! You could head out to hear writers read their work at Burnt Tongue, Unchaste Readers, you could catch a reading when the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (FWWA) Pacific Northwest Reading Series has a Portland event...  or you could see one of the many readings at Powell's Books! 

Local Publishers

The Northwest is home to a vibrant publishing world. Here are just a few:

• IPRC -  provides affordable access to space, tools, and resources for creating independently published media and artwork, and to build community and identity through the creation of written and visual art.
• Ooligan Press -  is a student-run trade press dedicated to cultivating the next generation of publishing professionals. Ooligan works with the library to publish selections from The Library Writers Project. Visit the Library Writers Project page to learn more about submitting your self-published work to the library's digital collection.
• Microcosm Publishing - Microcosm specializes in nonfiction DIY (Do-It-Yourself) books, zines, and decks that focus on the reader and teach self-empowerment.
• Forest Avenue Press - publishes literary fiction on a joyride and the occasional memoir. Our titles are infused with a fresh, complex, sometimes nutty, and often-wondrous approach to storytelling.
• Sasquatch Books - publishes books by the most gifted writers, artists, chefs, naturalists, and thought leaders in the Pacific Northwest and on the West Coast.

To connect to more publishers and keep up with Northwest book news, especially indy stores and authors, check out the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association.

Other stuff

Although closures may impact availability, Multnomah County’s Central Library offers the Sterling Room for Writers, where writers can find a quiet work space in close proximity to all the resources the library has to offer. Interested writers must submit an application and be approved to gain access to the room. Please note that Central Library is currently closed for remodelling and will likely reopen in late 2024.

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Celebra el Mes de la Herencia Hispana y Latina del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre en la Biblioteca del Condado de Multnomah. 

El Mes de la Herencia Hispana y Latina es un tiempo para festejar las contribuciones de la comunidad hispana y latina en los Estados Unidos. 

La comunidad hispana y latina incluye a gente con raíces españolas, de países sudamericanos, el Caribe, Centroamérica y México. Por causa de la colonización, la esclavitud y la migración, hay latinos en todas partes del mundo y con identidades diversas como afro-latina, indígena, asiática y más. La diversidad de la comunidad no se limita a solo un país o idioma; más bien la cultura latina e hispana es tan rica, que podemos disfrutar de la diversidad que existe en una cultura creada con tantas.

La celebración empezó en 1968, cuando el Congreso de los Estados Unidos proclamó una semana en otoño como la Semana Nacional de la Herencia Hispana. En 1988 la celebración se extendió a un mes completo.

Las fechas se escogieron para conmemorar varios eventos importantes, incluyendo el Día de la Independencia de México, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica y Chile.

La biblioteca celebra nuestra comunidad hispana y latina todo el año y durante este mes tendremos eventos que se enfocan en la música y la comida.

Juan García, bibliotecario para jóvenes en la Biblioteca de Rockwood, dice: “Me mudé de México a los Estados Unidos cuando tenía siete años y durante mucho tiempo me resultó difícil encontrar mi lugar en este país. La asimilación jugó un papel importante en mi educación, quería encajar y no me di cuenta de que estaba alejándome de mi cultura. Esta es una lucha que muchos inmigrantes tienen. Me hace muy feliz trabajar en un lugar como la biblioteca pública que no sólo reconoce nuestra cultura sino que crea espacios para celebrarla. Este Mes de la Herencia Latina estoy entusiasmado con todos los eventos que organizan mi biblioteca y las demás bibliotecas.”

¡Visita la biblioteca para participar en actividades para toda la familia!

• Aprende cómo hacer churros dulces en las bibliotecas de St. Johns, Troutdale y Hillsdale
• Participa en una comedia para niños en la Biblioteca de St. Johns
• Aprende a cocinar arepas venezolanas en las bibliotecas de Gresham y Kenton 
• Escucha música en vivo en la biblioteca de Gresham
• Disfruta paletas mexicanas en las bibliotecas de Rockwood y Kenton
• Participa en la noche de lotería en la Biblioteca de St. Johns

También habrá actividades artísticas y recomendaciones de libros en las bibliotecas. 

Aprende sobre el equipo de la biblioteca que habla español  y mantente al tanto en la página web.

Multnomah County Library is proud to participate in Banned Books Week (October 1- 7). Library staff in every state are facing a disturbing increase in challenges and book bans. The American Library Association documented 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022 alone, which is the highest number in the more than 20 years that statistics have been recorded. The titles being challenged and banned were predominantly by or about LGBTQIA+ persons and Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

Banned Books Week draws attention to the very real harm and dangers of such censorship by celebrating intellectual freedom. While adults have been given plenty of air time on this important topic, librarians decided to speak with those most impacted: the youth. To support and amplify the voices of these young readers, the library included some direct quotes from teens and tweens we surveyed across the county.

We asked youth if they had ever read a book that was banned or challenged, what they thought of it, and why they thought someone would ban or challenge it. We also wanted to know if there was anything they wished people trying to ban books knew, what they would say to them, and who should be in charge of picking books for their school and public libraries.

“I’ve read many banned books. For example Stamped by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi. I believe people challenged it because of its content on racism. And the history they wrote about it. I found it very interesting and a very important novel. We learn about history so we make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

— Halle, Woodstock library

“I have read multiple banned or challenged books. Most of their content includes diversity, learning of other’s experiences, LGBTQ+ groups, “offensive” language or other experiences people refuse to accept or discuss. I think reading about these expands knowledge and is beneficial.”

— Gresham library youth

“Many more diverse authors have been able to share their perspective in published books and as readers grow, misinformation about “explicit” pieces of literature (misunderstanding too often born about bigotry) also increase. I completed a project on banned books and found that PEN America reported 41% of banned books are LGBTQIA+ and 40% have characters of color. These bans reflect bias.”

— Ahnalya, Gresham library youth

“I think books are being banned/challenged because people are afraid of what they don’t understand, so they try to get rid of it altogether.”

— Woodstock library youth

“Many of these books talk about important issues today. I think the idea that the public learning how to fight back scares many of the people banning books. They need to realize that learning to fight back is good and can help us move forward from our current non-inclusive views.”

— Scout, Gresham library youth

“We need to let children choose what they read, just like how children should choose what they like, wear, etc. because it’s THEIR experience. Reading should be about diversity and inclusion because we’re in a place in society where people are safer and more comfortable with coming out as their true, authentic selves and we can’t allow children to think that racism, sexism, etc. is okay from them not learning about it early on or being introduced to these topics. These books aren’t designed to sexualize children or encourage “inappropriate” behaviors as many are saying, but they are exposing children/young adults to important social justice topics to further deepen their social skills, development, awareness and overall empathy in the real world.”

— Mason, Northwest library youth

The library applauds these young readers for speaking up and out about banned books and their impact on their growth and education. When the library says “All are welcome here,”  that means striving to include all communities, especially those who have experienced marginalization and systemic oppression. Everyone should have the chance to see themselves represented on library shelves and to have the opportunity to grow and expand their experience in a safe and inclusive environment for all. 

“Let Freedom Read” is the theme of this year’s Banned Books Week, October 1-7. Join the library—and county youth—in uplifting, celebrating, and exploring these indispensable titles!

The library offers volunteer opportunities for teens, adults and seniors. Patrons can also get involved in volunteer-led library programs.

The library's largest teen volunteer effort is the Summer Reading program, for which teens help kids and families pick up their gameboard and learn about prizes. However, there are other year round opportunities for teens as well. In the teen and tween councils, teens can work on service projects for the library, like creating book displays and connecting with patrons. 

Adults can volunteer in many ways: 

• Tutor a child needing extra help on a specific subject. Volunteer tutors meet with students for 30-minute increments each week for an eight-week term. 
• Read to the Dogs program. Adults with certified therapy dogs can meet with young readers to help develop confidence in their reading skills. 
• Tutor other adults who are preparing to take their GED exam in reading, math and other skills.
• Volunteer for talk time conversations to help adults who are practicing English or other languages.

Grace Hashiguchi recently volunteered at the library through the summer tutoring program. Grace met with the same students virtually every week during this six-week program. She primarily focused on general literacy for elementary students. 

“I’d brainstorm with the kids to find topics or series they were interested in, find relevant e-books and share my screen. Then I’d either have them read to me or we would alternate pages. We'd also discuss new vocab words or play spelling games and try to make that experience engaging,” says Grace.

Grace has a public relations and writing background and wanted to find a way to use her skills to serve the community. “My favorite part is finding common ground with students. Through active listening and compassion, you can form a connection in two short months just by showing interest in their lives and learning goals. Seeing glimpses of empowerment, when a student feels capable — even if just for a sentence, or while learning a new game together — it’s just such an exciting feeling.”

Alan Platt, another volunteer with the summer tutoring program, was previously a home teacher in California. He says, “I feel volunteering is a basic civic duty. Help in whatever way you can. If tutoring appeals to you, great. But duty aside, and regardless of how you volunteer, you get satisfaction from helping others, and often come away ‘enriched’ yourself in some fashion. In my case, teaching always leads to my own deeper understanding of the material we are studying. This is probably why I love teaching Social Studies and History so much!”

Stay connected with the library and find volunteer opportunities that work for you!