Literary Arts announced this week that they will require proof of vaccination for attendance at any of their Oregon events. In an email sent out this week, they stated: “In an effort to keep our audience members, artists, volunteers, and staff members safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Literary Arts will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to attend our in-person events and classes. Masks will also be required in both indoor and outdoor public settings, in accordance with current public health mandates in the state of Oregon.”

The organization hosts a number of writing, publishing, and reading events including the annual Portland Book Festival.

As Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association prepares for a physical fall Tradeshow set in October, PNBA announced new comfort and safety measures to all participating exhibitors and author representatives as well as attendees. These include asking that all attendees be vaccinated. It should be noted that PNBA will not be requiring actual proof of vaccination status. Attendees are asked to sign “a vaccination expectation agreement” and the PNBA website states “The agreement is intended as an additional level of self-clearance, a chance for an individual to reconsider participation should they be unvaccinated or high-risk.”

Pre-COVID, the show typically drew approximately 300 booksellers, librarians, authors, sales reps, and publishers for everything from debuts of the latest bestsellers to workshops for all members of the trade. This year, PNBA will cap attendance at individual events at 75% of normal as well as providing “additional spacing” on the exhibition floor to achieve “more air space” for the comfort of all involved. Authors may also ask that all attendees approaching them for a book signing be masked.

PNBA announced the addition of 2021 Tradeshow Travel Credit program, details coming soon, offering up to $150 per bookstore to encourage more bookseller attendees at the physical show.

According to the group’s monthly newsletter, the hotel room block at the Red Lion is almost full, a good indicator that people are planning to attend. If interested in staying at the Red Lion on the River in Portland, Oregon, the organizers suggest making a reservation soon.

The PNBA Fall Tradeshow takes places October 3-5. The event will also have a virtual component for those who cannot travel or for those who want the party to continue online. The Virtual Annex program will take place October 11-22, with an iPage Master Class, General Member Meeting, X-travaganza keynote, Online Operations workshop, Book Awards Preview, and Ten Around-the-Bend happy hour, among other events.

Further information about the event can be found at the organizer’s website: pnba.org.

A nation-wide organization of writing meet-ups each year, NaNoWriMo made the difficult decision to go with virtual events only this November for National Novel Writing Month. In announcement sent out to all its followers, they said:

“Based on everything we have seen in the last month, and the unknowns that the Delta variant is contributing to an already precarious situation, we have made the decision that there will be no official in-person NaNoWriMo events again this year. “

NaNoWriMo asked that writer groups not create unsanctioned meetings labeled NaNoWriMo. “We want to make sure that our events remain as safe as possible for everyone in our community. While vaccines have reduced the risk in many regions, they are not available everywhere; they may be less effective for those who are immunocompromised; and children under 12 remain ineligible for vaccination. With the increase in breakthrough cases and the significantly more contagious Delta variant in the mix, we feel it is simply not the right moment to stop erring on the side of caution,” the letter continued.

The letter concluded: “In the meantime, please get vaccinated as soon as a vaccine is available to you if you haven’t done so already. Widespread vaccination is our best hope to bring us all back together in person in the future. If you are in a region where you’re still waiting for vaccines to be accessible for you, hang in there—we hope it’s coming soon.”

Literary Arts announced this week that the Portland Book Festival will return as a hybrid event, with a week of activity both in-person and online from November 8–13, 2021.

“We will host virtual events on November 8–12, leading up to an in-person festival day on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Portland Art Museum and Portland’5, as well as in-person writing workshops at our downtown Literary Arts space,” read the announcement.

The organizers are currently taking applications for the book fair portion as well as looking for volunteers. More information can be found at literary-arts.org.

Tickets will go on sale on September 22. To allow greater access, youth 17 and under (and/or with a valid high school I.D.) will receive free entry. 

The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) has opened applications for its Publishing University Scholarship program. The IBPA Publishing University Scholarship Program provides a complimentary ticket to IBPA Publishing University. IBPA awards one complimentary ticket to each IBPA affiliate association and a limited number of complimentary tickets to at-large IBPA members (i.e., members not associated with an IBPA affiliate). The scholarships will be awarded for the April 2022 IBPA Publishing University.

To find out more about the program and read about previous winners, go to IBPA’s website at publishinguniversity.org/scholarship.

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators turns 50 this year. So their virtual national conference on July 29 to August 2 will feature 50+ speakers on 50+ topics. If you’re writing, illustrating, or publishing for children, check out the programming at their website: scbwi.org/events/summer-conference-2021.

The organization has regional chapters in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Check their website for the chapter closest to you.

This weekend, the Western Washington chapter of SCBWI will host a virtual exhibition booth at Seattle Pride on June 26 and 27. “Our goal is to offer a warm welcome to LGBTQAI+ kidlit creators and show LGBTQAI+ folx how SCBWI can assist writers and illustrators in building their careers. Next year, we hope to be at Seattle Pride in person!” wrote Regional Advisor Holly Huckeba in the group’s recent newsletter. “And, of course, during the non-June months, we strive to embody equity and inclusion in our practices as well. As an LGBTQAI+ person myself, and as Regional Advisor for our Western Washington region, I wish to extend an elbow bump of PRIDE to you all.”

The Western Washington chapter is currently accepting applicants for their mentorship program, now through July 30. To learn more about the mentorship program and other offerings from this chapter, go to: wwa.scbwi.org.

After a year of virtual trade shows only, booksellers and publishers are making plans to gather together again. Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association announced that they will hold their regular tradeshow on October 3, 4, and 5 at the Red Lion on the River in Portland, Oregon.

The 2021 Tradeshow will have some virtual elements as well. This year PNBA has added an expanded online presence for tradeshow participants. Each exhibitor will earn a profile on the official PNBA Tradeshow page consisting of company and rep identification, show floor location, and three links to their website or PDF documents for each purchased table or booth. 

The schedule also has been modified to encourage more activity on the tradeshow floor. The PNBA Education Day has been moved from the first day to the last. Organizers said that this will focus the attention of the booksellers and librarians on the exhibitions as well as allow exhibitors to leave by the end of day two, giving the exhibitors an extra day between the back-to-back PNBA and MPIBA tradeshows.

To learn more, check the pnba.org website.

Third Eye Books will be opening a new space at SE Division and 33rd Street in Portland, Oregon. Started by Michelle Lewis and her husband Charles Hannah, the store emphasizes African and African-American books, accessories, and gifts. The grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on June 20, 2pm, at 2518 SE 33rd Ave.

Author Tianna Bartoletta, winner of three Olympic Gold Medals, will sign copies of her new book Survive and Advance between 2pm and 4pm on June 20. More information about the grand opening and the bookstore can be found at thirdeyebag.com

Third Eye Books also will be the bookselling partner for the Literary Arts event, Hood Feminism with Mikki Kendall, on June 9 at 4:00 p.m. (Pacific). To find out more and read an interview with Lewis and Hannah, check the Literary Arts website.

The Idaho Writers Guild focuses on online marketing for their June literary lunch. The June 5 event focuses on the best practices for digital advertising with industry expert Kendall Shew.

The organization is also gearing up for a 2022 conference, a writing contest this year, and many other activities. Find out what’s going on in Idaho at the Guild’s website: idahowritersguild.wildapricot.org/

Short Run Summer School presents outdoor bookmaking, drawing, and comics workshops on Mondays, June 21- July 19, at Seattle’s Othello Park.

The nonprofit Short Run concentrates on the medium of comics as a coalescence of art and literature. Their annual festival (held in non-Covid times) serves as a major sales and networking event for artists from the Pacific Northwest who make alternative comix as well as self-published or small press. Their educational programming is designed for all skill sets and supports under-represented and diverse perspectives through study and craft of the medium.

Learn more about the Short Run Summer School and other programs at shortrun.org.