Bold Coffee & Books - Portland, OR

Rose City Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Weekly Write-In

Friday March 20th

Every Friday

Join us for a writing/discussion group. This is a co-working meeting. If you are looking for feedback or critique, there are other meetings for that. The format is social chat for 15 minutes, silent write for an hour, chat for 15 minutes, repeat.

Hosted by Rose City Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers at BOLD Coffee & Books.

Author Reading: Evan Morgan Williams, The Divide, in Conversation with Rachel King, Bratwurst Haven

Friday March 20th

BOLD is thrilled to host a reading with Evan Morgan Williams, author of The Divide, in conversation with Rachel King, author of Bratwurst Haven.

Join Portland writer and Oregon Literary Fellow Evan Morgan Williams in conversation with Oregon Book Award nominee Rachel King as they discuss Evan's new collection, The Divide, from Cornerstone Press.

The Divide is a collection of realistic fiction short stories set in the Pacific Northwest. Relationships are challenged in The Divide, award-winning writer Evan Morgan Williams’ newest collection. Set in the Mountain West, place is not just a backdrop; it is a provocation, an invitation to hope, and a mirror to reflect either consolation or indifference, depending on the case. To solve a problem in the West is to solve a problem initiated by the sense of possibility that the place allows. Characters in make difficult choices. The stakes are high. For Williams, division exposes character, and through breakage comes the possibility of redemption.

Evan Morgan Williams is the recipient of a 2024 Oregon Literary Fellowship. He is the author of four collections of stories, most recently The Divide, from Cornerstone Press. His stories have appeared widely in literary magazines including Kenyon Review, Alaska Quarterly Review, and Witness. He is retired after 29 years of teaching in a public school.

Rachel King is the author of two poetry chapbooks, the novel People Along the Sand, and the short story collection Bratwurst Haven, winner of a 2023 Colorado Book Award and finalist for a 2024 Oregon Book Award. Her fiction has appeared in One Story, North American Review, Northwest Review, Hong Kong Review, Flyway, Lunch Ticket, and elsewhere. Her novel The Red Heads is forthcoming from Forest Avenue Press in 2027.

Arrive at 6:30 p.m. to grab a snack or drink. The event will start at 7:00 p.m. *****

Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.

Children’s Storytime: Sara Bednark, Juggling the ABC’s

Saturday March 21st

BOLD is thrilled to host a special children’s storytime with Sara Bednark, author of Juggling the ABC's.

From an apple to a zebra, join Jace and his friends as they juggle something from each letter of the alphabet in Juggling the ABC’s.

Sara Bednark loves Portland, writing, her cats, reading, the color orange. She has written two other children's books, Midas and Wally's Bedroom Aviary, and hopes to do more.

*****

Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.

Protest Poster–Making Party

Saturday March 21st

Arts and Crafts and Politics? Yes, please!

 The next No Kings March is coming up soon on March 28. Don’t wait till the last minute to make your protest sign. Come to Bold and join likeminded people to party, paint, and prepare to protest.

 We’ll set the playlist to our best get-fired-up mix. Poster boards, markers, paint, and even some collage supplies will be provided. $1 off beer, wine, and cider.

 Let’s party like democracy depends on it!

 $10 suggested donation to cover supplies.

*****

Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.

The Great BOLD Write-Off

Tuesday March 24th

In this snappy writing contest, we give the writers four writing prompts and set the timer for 30 minutes. When the time is up, they read their stories and the judges select a winner—all right there on the spot. There’s no time to hesitate, second-guess, or hold back. Then the winner takes home prizes! All writers are welcome, from published professionals to newborn novelists. 

 ***** 

 Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.

Sit Down, Shut Up, and Write

Wednesday March 25th

Every Wednesday

Every Wednesday

No more procrastination! Bring your work in progress and join other writers for some dedicated time to get your words down.

Every Wednesday 5:00–5:30 Arrive, get comfortable, meet your fellow writers, and chat about your projects 5:30–6:30 Time to shut up and write!

Cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books (

https://boldcoffeeandbooks.com

) and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More (

https://www.indigoediting.com

). 

Portland Paper Club

Thursday March 26th

Every Thursday

Do you love paper crafts? We do too!

This group is for people seeking consistent time to practice paper arts and crafts in a small, low-pressure group setting.

***Space is limited. Please RSVP on Meetup here.***

Author Reading: Lois Colton, Teaching to A Captive Audience: Reflections from a Prison Educator

Friday March 27th

BOLD is thrilled to host a reading with Lois Colton, author of Teaching to A Captive Audience: Reflections from a Prison Educator.

Lois Colton never planned on having a 20-year career as a corrections educator. But from her first day teaching inside Oregon’s oldest maximum security male prison, she knew she was where she was supposed to be. Behind the prison’s walls, she discovered a hidden city populated by a colorful community of inhabitants with fascinating histories and stories.

The essays contained in Teaching to a Captive Audience paint a vivid sensory picture of the complicated world of the prison as observed through the lens of a creative, passionate teacher and acknowledge the resilient human spirits that she encountered behind bars.

Lois Colton was an innovative adult educator who spent 20 years teaching incarcerated felons at Oregon State Penitentiary. She was twice voted as Corrections Educator of the Year in North America’s Region VI for the international Correction Education Association. Lois is now retired and lives in Hood River, OR.

Arrive at 6:30 p.m. to grab a snack or drink. The event will start at 7:00 p.m.

*****

Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.

Children's Storytime: Audrey Sauble, Acorn Party and Who Laid the Egg?

Saturday March 28th

BOLD is thrilled to host a special children’s storytime with Audrey Sauble, author of Acorn Party and Who Laid the Egg?

Acorn Party

Get ready for a forest feast! The acorns are ripe, and it's time for a party! With one small, slightly distracted squirrel in charge, what could possibly go wrong?

Join the fun and count along with Squirrel's happy-go-lucky method for counting to 10. It's sure to be an acorn party to be remembered-but be sure to avoid any disasters lurking in the party's plans!

Who Laid the Egg?

Who Laid the Egg? invites kids to learn what kinds of animals lay eggs. It offers vibrant illustrations and lots of repetition, ideal for helping kids build vocabulary and practice early reading skills. It's perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers, ages 2-5. Plus, it's great resource for parents and teachers looking to inspire a sense of wonder and an passion for nature exploration.

Audrey Sauble is a children’s author and science illustrator with a passion for exploring nature through picture books.

Audrey is the author of Acorn Party, a mixed up counting story and other nature-themed picture books. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two kids who occasionally agree to join her for bug watching, nature journaling, and other outdoor shenanigans.

*****

Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.

Movie Night: All In: The Fight for Democracy

Saturday March 28th

BOLD is thrilled our next movie night! Join us for a screening of All In: The Fight for Democracy.

“One of the most influential voices in the fight for democracy is Stacey Abrams. As a political leader and voting rights advocate, Abrams has dedicated her career to dismantling barriers to voting and promoting civic participation. Her efforts are vividly showcased in the acclaimed documentary All In: The Fight for Democracy. “This documentary takes an in-depth look at the history of voter suppression in the United States and the ongoing struggle to ensure free and fair elections. Through interviews, historical context, and Abrams’ personal insights, All In provides a compelling narrative on the importance of protecting democratic principles.”

Learn more about All In: The Fight for Democracy and find more resources here.

Arrive at 6:30 p.m. to get dinner or a drink. The movie starts at 7:00 p.m.

*****

Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.

Writers Social

Tuesday March 31st

Monthly on every last Tuesday

Come meet other writers and enjoy a drink in this fun and informal setting to bond over the written (or still unwritten!) word.

5:00–7:00 p.m.

Drop in at your convenience. We'll be happy to see you and hear about your writing!

Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.

Meet Me at the Crossroads: A Progressive Discussion Group

Saturday April 4th

BOLD is honored to host Meet Me at the Crossroads: A Progressive Discussion Group. 

  Where do we go from here?

We are heading into uncertain times, and learning to face these challenges as a community by putting names to faces, and leveraging what we can will be the foundation for the path forward. This is an event for those who burn for change but are unsure where to put that passion in such dark times. Meet others who feel the same, and find empowerment in each other as we share ideas, organize, and network. 

 We’ll start with introductions before heading into a roundtable discussion about issues we all face, before breaking into a social mixer. 

 The light is on. Come find your path forward. 

 Arrive at 6:30 p.m. to grab a snack or drink. The event will start at 7:00 p.m. 

 ***** 

 Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.

BOLD Book Club

Tuesday April 7th

BOLD is thrilled to host the next installment of Bold Coffee & Books Club!

Join us every first Tuesday of the month for a cozy book club celebrating BIPOC and other marginalized authors across all genres. For this installment, we’re reading The Vegetarian by Han Kang–available for purchase right here at Bold Coffee and Books.

This group is hosted by Jana Corbett. This is a warm, welcoming space to share coffee, conversation, and community. Come get cozy this winter and spring with us! 

BOLD Spoken Word Open Mic

Tuesday April 7th

Monthly on every first Tuesday

We want your BOLD stories!

Come to our monthly open mic to share your latest work in progress or previously published piece. We welcome short stories, personal essays, poetry, slam, and other spoken word art forms.

10% off for performers!

Arrive at 5:00 to sign up and get your beverage. The mic goes on at 5:30 p.m. 7-minute time limit. No theme. 

BOLD is a safe place. We strive to uplift stories by and about people from underrepresented and diverse communities. We do not tolerate hate speech of any kind.

See you there!

Celebration and Reading: SWIRL & VORTEX: Collected Poems of Larry Levis

Saturday April 11th

BOLD Coffee & Books celebrates the publication of SWIRL & VORTEX: Collected Poems of Larry Levis, edited by David St. John, with a poetry reading of Levis’s work read by some of Portland’s most celebrated writers: David Biespiel, Matthew Dickman, Ed Skoog, Mary Syzbist and Wendy Willis. David St. John will host the event.

The New York Times Book Review has called SWIRL & VORTEX  “ . . . a towering body of work by one of the great American poets of the 20th century.”

The poetry of Larry Levis increasingly occupies a legendary place of reverence among poets and readers—the spell of his reputation only continuing to widen in the thirty years since his death. From the briefer lyrics and deep image-making of his early books to the long sequences and operatic narratives of his last works, Levis’s poems have an unmistakable signature, a way of expressing the sweep of history, perception, and heartbreak. Over his career, his poetic lines broadened to accommodate the cinematic aperture of his observations on American empire, poverty, landscape, migrant workers, political violence, addiction, and art. Levis’s expansive poems came to resemble the interconnecting patterns just discernible in the eddies of a stream or the leaves circling in a wind.

Swirl & Vortex at last makes all of Levis’s poetry available in one definitive volume. This collection includes the five books published in Levis’s lifetime, a brilliant reconfiguration of Levis’s posthumous books, and unpublished late poems, edited and with an afterword by David St. John. To trace Levis’s poetic development into his extraordinary “late style of fire”—cut short by his early death—is one of the singular experiences in contemporary poetry. Swirl & Vortex is an essential collection by one of the great poets of the end of the twentieth century, and a transformative work spiraling out toward our future.

Larry Levis (1946–1996) was the award-winning author of five poetry collections during his lifetime, including Winter Stars and The Widening Spell of the Leaves, and the celebrated posthumous collections Elegy and The Darkening Trapeze.

Arrive at 6:30 p.m. to grab a snack or drink. The event will start at 7:00 p.m.

*****

Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.

Silent Reading Party

Tuesday April 14th

Monthly on every second Tuesday

Remember how great silent reading time was in elementary school? The melting away of distractions while you lost yourself in a great book? Now you can get that as an adult too!

Join us at BOLD for a silent reading party. Bring your book or buy one here. Grab a drink or pastry, and lose yourself in those pages.

Arrive around 5:00 if you want to meet other readers and share about the book you’re reading. The background music switches to classical and the reading begins at 5:30 p.m. More book talk afterwards, at 6:30.

Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.

Author Reading: Kathleen Rhodes, Vampire Missionaries, in Conversation with Remy Nakamura

Friday April 17th

BOLD is thrilled to host a reading with Kathleen Rhodes, author of Vampire Missionaries, in conversation with Remy Nakamura.

Kathleen Rhodes will discuss how their former Mormon background inform their fiction, and the cathartic experience she had writing Vampire Missionaries, read from her work, and engage in conversation about the intersection of faith, loyalty, and identity, in her new book. Book signing to follow.

Vampire Missionaries 

Two young Mormon missionaries discover they’ve been turned into vampires and must navigate their wavering faith, identity, and new dark powers while being hunted by a sinister figure… their Maker.

It's Shaun of the Dead, meets Heretic, meets Midnight Mass. The script explores faith, identity, and morality in a way that feels natural and character-driven rather than preachy or forced. Both characters have dynamic backstories which fuel their motivations throughout the book. Gabe told his mother about his father’s affairs, which led to his father trying to kill him. And Luke’s closeted homosexuality and cold family dynamic explain why he’s skeptical of his religion – but ultimately, despite his reservations, he’s going to be the one that finds a cause worth dying for.

As a former Mormon and current therapist, I have personally experienced and witnessed the conflict between faith and doubt. This emotional and satirical knowledge is reflected in these pages, combined with elements of horror and noir. 

Vampire Missionaries is expected to be released in 2026 through Dead Sky Publishing.

Kathleen Rhodes spent their formative years in Gresham, Oregon. Growing up as the third of five siblings, they embarked on a journey of self-discovery leading her to work in the healthcare field. From counselor to Registered Nurse and finally a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, their career has spanned a variety of populations.

Remy Nakamura (he/they) is a queer, mixed-race author, activist and compassionate creativity and productivity consultant in Portland, Oregon. He grew up in Greece, Japan, and the San Francisco Bay Area. He is an avid trail runner and backpacker. One of his favorite things is to eat ripe huckleberries while on the move.

His stories can be found in Escape Pod, Pseudopod, and many anthologies. He is a graduate of the Clarion West Writers Workshop and currently serves as a board member for the Clarion West Foundation. He has an MA in Genre Writing from Edinburgh Napier University.

Arrive at 6:30 p.m. to grab a snack or drink. The event will start at 7:00 p.m.

*****

Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.

Book Publishing Q&A

Tuesday April 21st

Monthly on every third Tuesday

Join us for a monthly Q&A about all things publishing and books!

Join Ali Shaw—co-owner of BOLD Coffee & Books and owner of Indigo: Editing, Design, and More—for an in-person Q&A about the publishing process, the business of writing, and the book world in general. If you have questions about how to start your publishing journey, bring them! If you’ve always wondered about something more obscure, like how to tell if an antique book is a first edition or what librarians do at trade shows, bring those too!

Free and open to the public.

Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.

Mother's Day

Sunday May 10th

Join us on Mother's Day and treat your mom to a delicious meal!

Memorial Day

Monday May 25th

Come celebrate the long weekend with us!