PNCA and Wordstock are pleased to again present a special program featuring writers from the University of Iowa's famed International Writing Program, which has since its founding in 1967 at the University of Iowa brought together more than 1,000 rising and established literary stars from 120 countries to develop a community of writing to enhance international understanding. This year's visiting writers hail from South Africa, Guatemala, Iran, England, and China.
This event is free and open to the public.
Lee Blessing will make a special appearance, reading his one-man show Chesapeake at Reed College, his undergraduate alma mater.
“A brilliantly off-kilter fantasy” (Newsday) about a performance artist the NEA, a Jesse Helms-type Senator, and the Senator’s dog. This one-man show features Kerr, a controversial artist at war with a conservative southern Senator and Lucky, his trusty pet Chesapeake Bay Retriever. In an attempt to push the boundaries of art and put Senator “Therm Pooley” in his place, Kerr attempts a daring dog-napping with hilariously tragic results.
Join Wordstock and the Multnomah County Library for this special "sneak-peek" at the Young Adult literature that will be featured at this year's festival, with readings from Heather Vogel Frederick, Amanda Howells, and Nancy Coffelt.
This event is free and open to the public.
A Special Powell's Books Event at Wordstock! With her new memoir, The Grace of Silence, Michele Norris, host of NPR's All Things Considered, set out to write a book about "the hidden conversation on race" -- and in doing so unearthed painful family secrets. Extraordinary for Norris's candor in examining her own complex racial legacy, The Grace of Silence observes the evolving attidutes toward race in America.
Tickets are $24.95 and include a copy of this book, which will be distributed at the event. Available at all Ticketmaster locations.
Join Wordstock and the Multnomah County Library for this special "sneak-peek" at the nonfiction that will be featured at this year's festival, with readings from Larry Colton, Wendy Burden, and Kevin Sampsell.
This event is free and open to the public.
Join Oregon Humanities for a special Wordstock Conversation Project, Seeding a Sense of Place: Science, Stories, and Smart Forest Policy, with Gail Wells, on Wednesday, October 6, at the Hoyt Arboretum in Portland.Wells, an award-winning writer and editor specializing in history and natural-resource science, will lead a conversation about the meanings we build into places individually and collectively through storytelling and public policy. Oregon Humanities connects Oregonians to ideas that change lives and transform communities.
This event is free and open to the public.
From the forty-year struggle to gain the right to vote to the campaign for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, Oregon's political and civic landscape has been shaped by women. On October 7, historian Kimberly Jensen, political scientist Melody Rose, and activist and former Oregon legislator and both county and city commissioner Gretchen Kafoury will tell the stories of the political challenges Oregon women faced and the victories they won at a special edition of History Pub. Each month, the Oregon Historical Society, Holy Names Heritage Center, and Oregon Encyclopedia organize history talks at McMenamins Kennedy School in Northeast Portland, Cornelius Pass Roadhouse in Hillsdale, and Edgefield in Troutdale. Join us for beer and history!
This event is free and open to the public.
Mortified stars everyday people reading aloud their most embarrassing, pathetic and private teenage diary entries, poems, love letters, lyrics and locker notes... in front of total strangers. Witness “personal redemption through public humiliation” in a refreshing show that is equal parts comedic, cathartic, and voyeuristic. Join us for an evening of sharing – that is, sharing some of the most hilarious moments you’ll ever hear. On a stage, anyway.
$18 for general admission, $35 for reserved seating. Click here to purchase your tickets!
Classroom publishing involves more than printing a book. It allows students to use their individual talents to create something that can actually support their community. In this one-day conference, educators and publishing experts from around the country will show how publishing is within reach for students of all grade and skill levels. These workshops will showcase hands-on lessons to make reading and writing exciting for everyone!
Tickets are $125, which includes a copy of Classroom Publishing: A Practical Guide for Teachers, lunch, and more. Click here to purchase your tickets!
Wordstock's Founder's Club (Tim & Mary Boyle, Harold & Arlene Schnitzer, Frank & Mary Gill, Norm & Ricki Daniels, Dan Wieden, Greg Dufault, Bill & Gail McCormick, Barbara Juelson, and Larry Colton) and Board of Directors cordially invite you to Wordstock VI Literary Feast and Book Release Party, Friday October 8, 2010. Enjoy food; drink; music; auction; a signed copy of Wordstock founder Larry Colton's new book No Ordinary Joes; and a chance to mingle with Portland's movers, shakers, literary freaks, World War II hero Tim McCoy, and Portland icon Jack Ramsay. To purchase tickets, go here. Questions? Contact nancy@wordstockfestival.com.
A Special Powell's Books Event at Wordstock! Wired contributing editor Steven Johnson takes on the question: Where do good ideas come from? In his new book Where Good Ideas Come From, Johnson pairs the insight of his best-selling Everything Bad is Good for You and the erudition of The Ghost Map to address this universal question.
Tickets are $26.95 and include a copy of this book, which will be distributed at the event. Available at all Ticketmaster locations.
In this seminar, we will address writing under a variety of conditions, about a variety of subjects, under the guise of ourselves and our alter egos, in company and in isolation. Instructor: Harrison Solow
The old adage says "Write what you know," but it can be tricky to build a fiction structure on real life experiences and emotions. How do you fictionalize life?
Instructor: Heidi Durrow
In this information-packed talk we'll examine contemporary examples of the ways POV works in fiction and nonfiction, opening up new worlds that will transform your writing.
Instructor: Liz Prato
Come learn her secrets for setting up a series that will continue to work thre, five, or even eleven books down the line.
Instructor: April Henry
Bring your children to sing along with songwriter Dave Hall!
Wartime stories must successfully explain the chaos of war -- shifting landscapes, conflicting viewpoints and historical facts -- without eclipsing their main character's personal journey. It's not easy.
With Matt Bors, Tatjana Soli, and Kilong Ung. Moderated by Tim DuRoche.
From Dylan Thomas to Doctor Who: What is Anglo-Welsh literature, and why should anyone care? How Wales strives to reinvent its cultural identity with every new generation.
With Niall Griffiths, Chris Keil, Harrison Solow, and Peter Griffiths. Moderated by Ceri Shaw.
For her 10th anniversary, Olivia the pig will be joining us at Wordstock! Bring your young readers to meet Olivia and have her "sign" books!
Your kids will love this hands-on workshop on drawing and creating their own comics with the folks from Cosmic Monkey!
Memoir is one of the most popular genres of writing today. How does an author decide that his or her personal story is better than fiction -- and how do authors craft their story in a way that rings true with their readers?
With Glenn Rockowitz, Tom Grimes, and Robin Romm.
Pop culture says that you're really not a writer until you've published a novel, but many writers find themselves drawn to short fiction's artistic challenge and intensity. Why? With Anthony Doerr, David Vann, and Aimee Bender. Moderated by Meg Storey of Tin House Books.
Forget about vampires and boy wizards. Hear from three young adult authors who tackle serious, real-life subject matters and how they relate to teens.
With Patrick Ness, L.K. Madigan, and Conrad Wesselhoeft.
You'll learn 15 essential techniques of characterization in this workshop, so that your readers empathize with your protagonist and continue to turn the pages of your novel.
Instructor: Janice Hussein
Consider the orange. In The Godfather, every time one appears, bad things happen. In this workshop, we'll examine tropes as the building blocks of plot, character, and thematic development.
Instructor: Benjamin Percy
Growing numbers of Portlanders make specialty food and crafts from scratch and make them works of art. Learn about these lively artisan communities by authors of two recent works on the subject.
With Liz Crain and Charles Heying. Moderated by Kelly Clarke.
The secret's out: Ghostwriting can be lucrative, fun, and even tone creative muscle. Hear how three successful ghostwriters traded bylines for profit while continuing to write their own books.
With Amanda Howells, Emily Chenoweth, and Vanessa Veselka. Moderated by Pema Teeter.
An author, his agent, and his editor discuss the long road from writing to selling to publishing. Receive a behind-the-scenes look at the process and all that is involved before you read a book With Larry Colton, Richard Pine of Inkwell Management, and Sydny Miner of Random House.
Memoir is one of the most popular genres of writing today. How does an author decide that his or her personal story is better than fiction -- and how do authors craft their story in a way that rings true with their readers?
With Glenn Rockowitz, Tom Grimes, and Robin Romm.
Kids young and old will enjoy this how-to, hands-on workshop on bookmaking, presented by Ooligan Press, the student-run publishing house at Portland State University.
This course covers how to send story queries to magazine editors, including considering the magazine's audience, framing and presenting your idea, and more.
Instructor: Joel Lovell
We'll talk about the meaning of honesty, who owns your story, and the difference between being honest and letting the truth get in the way of the story.
Instructor: Stephen Elliott
Join Cindy Hudson, author of Book by Book: The Complete Guide to Creating Mother-Daughter Book Clubs, for a workshop on how to arrange and structure your own book club of mothers and daughters.
The ins and outs of selling your book to Hollywood, from four authors who have experience -- good and bad -- with this exciting and sometimes frustrating negotiation.
With Philip Margolin, Jon Raymond, Adam Jay Epstein, and Andrew Jacobson.
Authentic character voice goes well beyond dialogue and descriptive flair; it lies in how characters order their thoughts and what they think of next.
Instructor: Vanessa Veselka
We'll explore the advantages of telling multiple stories to create unexpected connections, both actual and metaphorical, that add depth and resonance to your work.
Instructor: Ana Maria Spagna
Sometimes a town, a river, or a mood emerges as a major character in a narrative. Four Northwest writers discuss how they express the our region.
With Robin Cody, Matt Love, Benjamin Percy, and Brian Doyle. Moderated by Susan Denning.
Four contemporary writers at various stages of their careers talk about the popularity and importance of the short story in literary culture.
With Trevor Houser, Mary Rechner, Maile Meloy, and Lan Samantha Chang. Moderated by Joel Lovell.
Writers have the opportunity to rise to the top of their field -- by presenting their points of view in a way that takes opponents seriously and relies on solid facts.
Instructor: Ted Rall
Get to the exposed, gritty truth in your stories and get beedback to help to isolate strengths and areas to improve.
Instructor: Kerry Cohen Hoffman
Kids are picky about everything -- their food, their clothes, and their books. Three children's authors discuss what it takes to write a book that kids will love.
With Mac Barnett, Mark Williams, and Renee Watson.
The Text Ball is Portland’s unique celebration of all things text, where attendees are encouraged to come dressed with text as part of your evening attire. The theme for this year’s ball is “Text Appeal,” so you can expect some seriously creative and creatively sexy costumes. Along with live music, dancing and text-based refreshments, attendees can enjoy word games like Scrabble, giant crossword puzzles, and “Speech-e-oke.” The evening will culminate in a costume parade, with literary prizes for best outfits. Anyone who attends Wordstock can purchase a discounted ticket for only $8. Otherwise, tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. To buy tickets or view photos from last year’s ball, visit iprc.org. Note that costumes are encouraged but definitely not required. All proceeds from the Text Ball benefit the IPRC’s mission to facilitate creative expression, identity, and community by providing access to self-publishing tools and resources. Tickets are $8-$15, and are available at iprc.org Sponsored by Portland Wine Storage
It's the 6th Live Wire Wordstock Extravaganza! It's time again for the brilliant wit, bright stars, and big laughs of this year's Wordstock edition of Live Wire! It's a radio variety show recorded in front of a live audience and broadcast on Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), and includes original sketch comedy, live music, and conversation with some of the fantastic authors joining us at Wordstock. This year's show will feature comedian Paul Provenza; essayist, humorist, and This American Life regular David Rakoff; indie rock icon Kristin Hersh; novelist Jonathan Lethem; and more. This show is always one of the highlights of the festival, and this one is going to be fantastic! Tickets are $25 for general admission, and $35 for reserved seating. Tickets are available in advance all Ticketmaster outlets.
This workshop will help you get serious about your writing life, from figuring out a daily schedule to keeping self sabotage at bay.
Instructor: Lauren Kessler
In this workshop, you'll learn strategies and techniques to turbocharge your sentences so they'll leap off the page.
Instructor: Matt Stewart
Participants will be invited to employ the techniques off the finest fiction -- character, plot, setting, dialogue, suspense -- while adhering to rigorous standards of truth and observation.
Instructor: Jesse Katz
Writing funny doesn't mean sacrificing depth. We'll look at the work of Simon Rich, Ian Frazier, George Saunders, and others to show how you can be funny and break hearts while doing it.
Instructor: Steve Almond
Is reading on the decline? Many think so. Writers, booksellers, librarians and reviewers all have a stake in the evolving culture of reading, however no one has more to gain or lose than readers. A National Book Critics Circle panel. With Matthew Stadler, Michael Schaub, and David Biespiel.
The genre known as "creative nonfiction" is currently defined by its lack of established conventions. While it uses literary elements and embellished style instead of straight reporting of facts, where is the line between fiction and nonfiction?
With Craig Welch, Douglas Perry, and Ander Monson. Moderated by Wayne Garcia.
Writers in the Schools (WITS) is a program of Literary Arts that cultivates young writers and supports Oregon authors through semester-long writing residencies in the Portland public high schools. Introduced by Mary Rechner, WITS program director.
Your kids will love this hands-on workshop on drawing and creating their own comics with the folks from Cosmic Monkey!
It takes more than talent and a great book to gain an audience these days, but what does it take? A writer and publicist discuss the steps, stumbling blocks, downfalls, and successes to making a book a hit.
With Karen Karbo and Kim Dower.
Authors use larger-than-life historical events -- the Donner party, Freud, and a WWII subway explosion -- to weave together fact and fiction to tell an entirely new story.
With Joseph Skibell, Gabrielle Burton, and Jessica Frances Kane. Moderated by Myrlin Hermes.
In celebration of the Doug Fir Fiction Award, Orlo welcomes Jim Lynch (the 2010 judge) and Jon Raymond (the 2009 judge), who will read from current work and discuss "place-based writing."
In this session, we'll discuss the risks and opportunities afforded by the print-on-demand revolution and what it means to build a readership from the bottom up.
Instructor: Steve Almond
We will feed our poetic appetites and awaken our palates on the page. We'll use poems by major contemporary poets to create new poems good enough to eat.
Instructor: Willa Schneberg
A revealing look at the process of writing one's first book, and the decisions three debut writers made in creating the first person narrator they bring their story.
With Wendy Burden, Sarahlee Lawrence, and Gemma Whelan. Moderated by Andrew Proctor.
In long-form narrative journalism, the writer's talent and the reporter's skill combine to create a unique work of narrative art. It's a vibrant part of American journalism, particularly in national magazines. What is it's future?
With Joel Lovell, senior editor at GQ and a professor in the creative nonfiction program at the University of Pittsburgh, and Randy Gragg, editor in chief at Portland Monthly.
Kids young and old will enjoy this how-to, hands-on workshop on bookmaking, presented by Ooligan Press, the student-run publishing house at Portland State University.
Literary artists learn to write compelling and lively grant applications to fund their writing projects. Discover how to research funding, decode application questions, and let the grant-writing process focus on career goals.
Instructor: Gigi Rosenberg
This worksop contains lecture, discussion, examples, and participation in writing -- all focused on technical characteristics of dialogue in order to intensify mood, express emotional connections, and more.
Instructor: Chris Keil
Writing humor takes work. As a writer, humor rests exclusively on the power of your words -- no props, no gags, no nothing. Just words. Three very funny writers discuss the challenges involved with getting that laugh-out-loud moment in print.
With Steve Almond, Jess Walter, and Paul Provenza. Moderated by Courtenay Hameister.
Join us for a visit from the Read to the Dogs program, brought to us by Dove Lewis and the Delta Society!
Writers are famous for their idiosyncrasies. Three authors discuss their daily routines, techniques, and superstitions for getting the words on the page.
With Karen Karbo, Joanna Smith Rakoff, and Heidi Durrow. Moderated by David Biespiel.
Five Keys to Textual Healing: This workshop will cover definition of dramatic action, working in scenes, consistent point of view, starting near the end, and plot vs. narrative.
Instructor: Joseph Skibell
In this workshop, learn how to create a blog that will get ou noticed, secure a literary agent, and chose the book deal that's right for you.
Instructor: Candace Dempsey
Technology is impacting all aspects of publishing -- the way books are published, distributed, sold, and read. An author, a publisher, and an entrepreneur discuss how technology affects publishing and literature.
With Lauren Kessler, Rhonda Hughes, and Kevin Smokler. Moderated by Richard Meeker.
The supernatural is huge these days. Hear three authors talk about why it's so popular right now, and how they make their own supernatural stories so believable.
With Becca Fitzpatrick, Laura Whitcomb, and Joey Comeau. Moderated by Sara Gundell.
What are the advantages and pitfalls when authors use social media to promote their work and themselves? Most no longer wrestle with the question of whether they should use these tools, but which tools are best for them to use.
With Matt Stewart, Kaleb Nation, and Cheryl Strayed. Moderated by Liz Prato.
Knowing Your Characters Inside and Out: We'll look at an approach to character development informed by Method acting, in which the writer strives to get to know her characters as deeply and fully as possible.
Instructor: Joanna Smith Rakoff
Want to present your work during a literary event? Join us to learn how to prepare and practice so that your performance delights every audience!
Instructor: The editors of VoiceCatcher
Time Out! is a fresh entertainment alternative for moms to perform intelligent comedy. Take this opportunity to see some hilarious writing in action -- with real moms!
Burroughs Medalist and Guggenheim Fellow Robert Michael Pyle writes essay, poetry, and fiction along Gray's River, deep in Southwest Washington. His new book is Mariposa Road: The First Butterfly Big Year.