Write Around Portland 56th Book Release and Free Public Readings

Write Around Portland will host two free community reading events this month to celebrate its 20th anniversary and the launch of the 56th Write Around Portland anthology.

The latest collection of writings features writing from youths and adults around the Portland metro area as well as introductions by Write Around Portland founders Ben Moorad and Liza Halley, and Michael Buonocore, executive director of Home Forward, the largest provider of affordable housing in Oregon.

Each of the two events will include local writers reading original work created during the spring 2019 writing workshops. Readers will include adults in recovery, youth in alternative high school, youth experiencing homelessness, adults living with disabilities, members of low-income housing and many others.

The first reading will be held at First United Methodist Church in Collins Hall located at 1838 SW Jefferson Street on Thursday, May 16, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The second reading will be held at The Rosewood Initiative located at 16126 SE Stark Street on Wednesday, May 22, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Write Around Portland operates creative writing workshops at hospitals, schools, low-income housing buildings, homeless youth shelters, senior centers, prisons, treatment facilities, and other social service agencies.

Admission to these readings is free. Donations are accepted and help support Write Around Portland. Copies of the anthologies will be available for purchase at the event for $12. Learn more about the readings on the Write Around Portland website.

The two readings are funded in part by support from Regional Arts & Culture Council, Oregon Arts Commission, Hillsboro Arts and Culture Council and Multnomah County Cultural Coalition.