On November 13, Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum invites local self-published authors, poets, bloggers, storytellers, and all wordsmiths to participate in their inaugural open mic night. Writers will be invited to share a piece from their self-published work in a supportive literary setting while enjoying a complimentary beer and wine reception. Arrive by 6:30pm to sign up for a spot on the stage.

Authors can bring their self-published books to the event to sell. Reservations are recommended and tickets are a “donate what you want.” More information about the event can be found at folioseattle.org.

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) write-ins also return to Folio in November on Saturday afternoons.

Writers are welcome to write in sprints with the group or go at their own pace while enjoying the company of fellow writers from 1pm to 4pm. They can also add to their NaNoWriMo duck collection or win other prizes such as a pocket notebook, free books, pens or Folio passes. More details on the website.

About Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum
Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum is a nonprofit library and cultural center located in the Pike Place Market. Folio offers a circulating book collection, provides workspaces for writers, and presents numerous public programs, author readings, civic discussions and musical evenings.  It is located at 93 Pike St. #307.

More information and details about currents can be found at folioseattle.org

Folio is located in the Seattle’s famed Pike Place Market in the Economy Building at First Avenue and Pike Street. They provide rental space for other literary events and meet-ups as well as hosting their own events.

Photo of NaNoWriMo 2019 courtesy of Folio.

Why does the Northeast corner of the country attract monsters, magic, and superheroes? Find out from Northwest writers reading fantastic, strange, and even cozy horror fiction set in New England. Enjoy an evening at Distant Worlds Coffeehouse in Seattle on November 28, 6pm to 8pm, as six local authors give a sampling of their recent and upcoming novels.

The event is free. The authors are providing treats for the audience and asking people support this geek-friendly establishment by ordering a caffeinated or non- caffeinated drink of choice.

* Amanda Cherry and Erik Scott de Bie read from Bad Intentions as a super-powered love affair gets messy with magic and revenge.

* Rosemary Jones presents Arkham Horror’s first Christmas novel The Bootlegger’s Dance where time travel goes awry in a town haunted by monsters past and present.

*Jeremy Zimmerman reads from Kensei 3, the continuing adventures of Kensei as she navigates life as a superhero and young adult.

* Dawn Vogel reads from Brother’s Keeper, where a team of superheroes stops a threat far bigger than any of them alone.

* The founder of the Cobalt City series, Nathan Crowder, will read from a new release Warlock Rising.

Learn more about upcoming fiction from local publisher DefCon One and find out how a Seattle author ended up writing for Aconyte Books in Nottingham, England. Distant Worlds Coffeehouse is located at 6401 Roosevelt Way NE in Seattle. They offer a variety of events including a spoken word open mike night every first Saturday of the month and will be hosting “Come Write In” every Wednesday in November for NaNoWriMo. To find out more about all events at Distant Worlds, see their website at distantworldscoffee.com.

Portland Book Festival returns to the Portland Art Museum and neighboring venues in downtown Portland on Saturday, November 4, 2023.

Starting October 30, PBF Cover to Cover events will be held throughout the city. From storytime singalongs to poetry karaoke, these events create a literary week which embraces the entire city and involves many of the city’s small press and independent publishers.

Linda Letra Bilingual Books and Portland Mercado have created a Day of the Dead celebration on November 2, 4:30pm, at Mercado. Nelda Reyes will be reading “Huesos” by Luis San Vicente and sharing a wise story from her own book “Huehuetlatolli, The Wise Stories of My People.”

Independent press Propeller Books will celebrate recent and forthcoming releases at Up Up Books, bookstore and community workshop space in the Buckman neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. Expect to hear samples from the work of Propeller authors including Dan DeWeese, Evan P. Scheider, Mary Rechner, and Miriam Gershow on November 2, 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

Northwestern University Press imprint Curbstone Books and online literary magazine The Rumpus will host a evening of readings at Rose City Pub on November 2. Featuring performances from Omar El Akkad, Jennifer Fliss, Elisa Gonzalez, Perry Janes, Sebastián Páramo, and Jane Wong. Hosted by Marisa Siegel and Marissa Korbel. This free event begins at 6:30pm.

For these and information on more Cover to Cover events, see pdxbookfest.org/cover-to-cover-schedule.