Thursday 4/2: Award-winning novelist, short story writer, essayist, and translator Randa Jarrar reads from her latest work for the Reed College visiting writers series. Eliot Chapel, 6:30 p.m., free.
For its annual Comics and Art Issue, monthly punk rock fanzine Maximum Rocknroll will entirely eschew words for a visual extravaganza, featuring work by more than 50 artists. On hand to celebrate the release will be contributing Portland artists Reuben Storey, Andrew Scully, Jack Hayden, Anna Vo, and Karissa Sakumoto. Floating World Comics, 6–10 p.m., free.
Selected 2015 Oregon Book Awards finalists in poetry will share some of their latest work. Featured readings by Wendy Chin-Tanner, Endi Hartigan, and Dawn Diez Willis. Literary Arts, 7 p.m., free.
The Pride Foundation welcomes Portland LGBTQ writers Carters Sickels, Christopher Lord, and Kate Gray to share their writing. Another Read Through, 7 p.m., pay what you can donation.
Poet Melissa Madensk will read from her new chapbook, Endurance. Broadway Books, 7 p.m., free.
The Unchaste Readers series welcomes Tracy Burkholder, Leah Noble Davidson, K.M.A. Sullivan, and Nadia Martinez Chantry to read alongside Stevie Edwards whose new poetry collection is being launched through Small Doggie Press. The American Legion, 7:30 p.m., free.
Friday 4/3: The Independent Publishing Resource Center Certificate Program host its Show and Tell show, with comics, prose, and poetry by Aaron Green, Anna Sjogren, Bryce Frazier, Gavin Paul, Grace Zivny, Milcah Orbacedo, Kelsey Appleton, Kelly Fry, Natalie Behring, Olivia Tabert, and Page Birmingham. IPRC, 7 p.m., free.
J.C. Hallman reads from his new book, B and Me, and discusses its irreverent story with National Book Award-winning poet and author Mary Szybist. Powell’s City of Books, 7:30 p.m., free.
Combining poetry and improvisation in an orgy of creativity, the fifth incarnation of Free Verse will feature the best of both forms. Poets Heather Brown, Justin Rigamonti, Chrys Toby, and Mike Young will share original work which will then be transformed into an improvised scene by the theater’s resident improv troupe. Brody Theater, 7:30 p.m., $9 – $12.
Sunday 4/5: The Portland Poetry Slam hosts their Last Chance Slam this Sunday. Hot Lips Pizza on Hawthorne, 6:30 p.m., $5 suggested donation.
The Tesla City Stories storytelling series celebrates its one year anniversary with a brand new reading featuring local writers and storytellers. The Funhouse Lounge, 8 p.m., pay what you can.
Monday 4/6: Blaine Harden reads from his new book on North Korea, The Great Leader and the Fighter Pilot. Powell’s City of Books, 7:30 p.m., free.
Allen Cunnigham reads from his dreamy new collection, Partisans. Powell’s on Hawthorne, 7:30 p.m., free.
Tuesday 4/7: Lily Brooks-Dalton reads from her self-portrait, Motorcycles I’ve Loved. Powell’s City of Books, 7:30 p.m., free.
Salon Skid Row presents an Airlie Press writers showcase, including Tim Shaner, Dawn Diez WIllis, and Karen McPherson. The Corner Bar, 8 p.m., free.
Wednesday 4/8: The Mouths of Other Reading series at Mt. Hood Community College welcomes acclaimed author Dorothy Allison, who will read in the Visual Arts Theater. Mount Hood Community College, 12 p.m., free.
Jon Ronson reads from his latest book on publicity, humiliation, and fame, So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed. Powell’s City of Books, 7:30 p.m., free.
