BASICS
Q: WHEN WILL PORTLAND BOOK FESTIVAL TAKE PLACE?
The 2023 festival will took place on Saturday, November 4, 2023. PBF Cover to Cover events occurred throughout the city from October 30 through November 5, 2023. Subscribe to our e-news and continue to check online for the latest news about the festival.
Q: WHEN CAN I FIND OUT WHICH AUTHORS ARE PARTICIPATING?
You can see the 2023 authors who joined us here.
Q: WHERE IS PORTLAND BOOK FESTIVAL BEING HELD?
Information from 2023: On Saturday, November 4, 2023, the festival will return to the South Park Blocks, with events at Portland Art Museum and neighboring venues.
Q: WHAT IS PBF COVER TO COVER?
Information from 2023: Portland Book Festival Cover to Cover will return during Festival week, October 30th-November 5th, 2023! PBF Cover to Cover expands the Festival into a weeklong event, with partner programming all over Portland. This additional programming is aimed at going beyond the scope of a traditional reading or author panel. Past events have included a mock burial, tea ceremonies, and poetry karaoke! Find out more.
Q: Do I need a ticket to Portland Book Festival to attend PBF Cover to Cover events?
While partner events are featured in PBF programming, you are not required to have a PBF pass to go to PBF Cover to Cover events. While many events are free, some are ticketed individually by program partners or venues. Check out our Festival program or website to find both free and ticketed partner programming.
Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND PORTLAND BOOK FESTIVAL?
Information from 2023, and is subject to change in the future: For the in-person Festival day, adult admission is $15 in advance / $25 at the door. Passes available now. Arts for All $5 passes are available with proof of SNAP/Oregon Trail Card, and admission is free for veterans and actively military with valid military ID. Admission is free to attendees 17 and under (or with a valid high school ID); pass still required for free admission. Paid $15/25 admission includes a $5 book voucher redeemable at the book fair the day of the festival. Please note: ALL attendees must pick up a wristband before entering any festival venue. We recommend you pick up your wristband in advance; if you pick up day-of, we recommend arriving at least thirty minutes prior to the first event you want to attend to visit the box office and pick up your wristband. Purchasing your festival pass in advance will speed up this process.
ATTENDING
Q: HOW DO I ATTEND THE EVENT?
Information from 2023, and is subject to change in the future: Portland Book Festival requires an wristband, which is $15 in advance and $25 day-of; youth 17 and younger and/or with a valid high school ID enjoy free entry. Subscribe to our e-news and continue to check online for the latest news about the festival. The two events at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall require an additional ticket for entry.
Q: HOW DO I GET TO PORTLAND BOOK FESTIVAL?
Portland Book Festival attendees are encouraged to walk, bike, or take mass transit to the festival. Trimet has a useful trip planner here. If you are traveling by car, you can find directions at PAM’s site here. The museum/festival does NOT have a dedicated parking lot, but lot and street parking are available throughout downtown Portland. Supplemental bike racks will be available.
To plan a trip to Portland, visit travelportland.com for information on travel specials and hotel offers.
Q: I PRE-ORDERED MY PASS. WHERE CAN I PICK IT UP?
Information from 2023: You can purchase or pick up passes before the event day from Portland’5 Hatfield Hall (1111 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205) during the following dates/times. We strongly encourage picking up your passes in advance so you are able to skip the lines at the Box Office Tent on the day-of the Festival!
Joining us for the Friday Night Book Market as well as Saturday events? Present or purchase your PBF pass that evening to receive your Festival wristband and bypass the Saturday morning box office lines.
Festival day, pick up or purchase passes at the Box Office Tent on SW Park Avenue in front of the Portland Art Museum before entering any festival venues. Box Office Tent hours are 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. A satellite box office at The Judy will be open for purchase or pickup with limited hours from 9:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Information from 2023, and subject to change in the future: Advance passes are $15 ($25 day of) and include a wristband for entry to all festival events, and every paid pass includes a $5 voucher for the book fair. Please note: ALL attendees must pick up a wristband before entering any festival venue. We recommend you arrive at least thirty minutes prior to the first event you want to attend to visit the box office and pick up your wristband. Purchasing your festival pass in advance will speed up this process. The Box Office opens at 8:30 a.m.
Q: I WANT TO BUY A PASS AT THE FESTIVAL. WHERE DO I DO THAT?
Information from 2023: In-person Festival day passes can be purchased in advance online ($15 adults, free for youth 17 and under) or on site day the day of the Festival ($25 adults, free for youth 17 and under). Attendees will receive a wristband at the Festival that allows entry to all festival events and a book voucher for paid passes. Day-of passes sales are at the box office in the tent on SW Park Avenue. PAM’s regular box offices will not be selling festival passes. Please note: ALL attendees must pick up a wristband before entering any festival venue. We recommend you arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the first event you want to attend to visit the box office and pick up your wristband. Purchasing your festival pass in advance will speed up this process.
Q: I AM 17 YEARS OR YOUNGER AND/OR A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AND I GET FREE ADMISSION. DO I NEED A PASS?
Yes, ALL attendees, including youth, need a wristband for entry. Youth receiving free admission will need to pick up their wristband at the box office in the tent on SW Park Avenue. Free youth passes do NOT include a book voucher. Purchase here. Please note: ALL attendees must pick up a wristband before entering any festival venue. We recommend you arrive at least thirty minutes prior to the first event you want to attend to visit the box office and pick up your wristband. Reserving your festival pass in advance will speed up this process.
Q: I AM A VOLUNTEER. DO I NEED A PASS? WHERE DO I PICK UP MY FESTIVAL PASS?
Volunteers receive free entry to the festival in exchange for volunteering. Sign up to volunteer here. For questions about volunteering, email volunteer@literary-arts.org.
Q: DO I NEED A TICKET FOR EACH PORTLAND BOOK FESTIVAL EVENT?
Information from 2023: With the exception of the two events at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, your festival wristband admits you to ALL non-Schnitzer festival venues and events. Note that your pass is to the festival itself, which features dozens of events, and does NOT guarantee entry to any individual event.
Please note: ALL attendees must pick up a wristband before entering any festival venue. We recommend you arrive at least thirty minutes prior to the first event you want to attend to visit the box office and pick up your wristband. Purchasing and picking up your pass in advance will speed up this process.
At all venues and all events, entry and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis; standing in line does not guarantee entry. Rooms will be cleared between sessions, meaning all attendees will be required to exit the venue and will not be permitted to remain in their seats for the next session. If they would like to attend the next session at the same venue they must exit, join the line, and re-enter. No one will be admitted to a full event session unless another attendee leaves that session.
Q: HOW DO I BUY BOOKS FROM FESTIVAL AUTHORS? CAN I GET THEM SIGNED?
We are proud to partner with Portland-based, independent bookstores to provide easy online purchasing options for each of our events. Our indie bookstore partners are Powell’s Books, Broadway Books, Annie Bloom’s Books, and Green Bean Books. All Festival author books purchased from partner bookstores support the authors and publishers who share their work at the festival and the booksellers who have worked hard to keep their businesses open during these difficult times. When you purchase books from our partner stores you are supporting the sustainability of the Festival.
Q: I’m coming TO PORTLAND from out of town. Where should I stay?
We recommend our partner hotel, the Dossier, which is in walking distance from the festival campus in the heart of downtown Portland! Check out our friends at Travel Portland for more ideas, and fill in your weekend with the official PBF Cover to Cover programming.
Q: I have accessibIlity needs and cannot stand for long perioDs of time. What Accommodations are available?
If you are unable to stand while in line, please notify a volunteer manager at your location and they will be sure you have a place to sit. All stages are seated and do not allow standing room.
More information about accessibility is available at each venue website: Portland Art Museum / Portland’5 / UCC / The Old Church / The Judy
FESTIVAL EVENTS
Q: CAN I STAY AT ONE STAGE ALL DAY?
For safety reasons, rooms will be cleared between all events; to attend the next event at the same stage, you will need to exit the venue and re-enter. This policy allows us to keep to the fire code/capacity for each room. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
Q: ARE FESTIVAL VENUES AND STAGES WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE? WHERE DO I FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VENUE ACCESSIBILITY?
All festival venues and stage locations are wheelchair accessible. More information about accessibility is available at each venue website: Portland Art Museum / Portland’5 / UCC / The Old Church / The Judy
Q: WHAT ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS DO YOU OFFER ATTENDEES WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING?
Portland’5 and Portland Art Museum both offer Assisted Listening Devices (ALDs). More information about accessibility is available at each venue website: Portland Art Museum / Portland’5 / UCC / The Old Church / The Judy
Literary Arts also offers sign language interpretation upon request. You must request sign language interpreters at least two weeks prior to the event by emailing us. Requests are subject to the availability of an interpreter, and seating locations are assigned at the discretion of Literary Arts and the venue staff.
Q: HOW DO I FIND OUT WHICH AUTHORS WILL BE THE FESTIVAL?
You can see which authors joined us at the 2023 festival here.
Q: WILL THE FESTIVAL AUTHORS SIGN BOOKS?
Yes! Most in-person authors will sign immediately following their on-stage event, unless otherwise noted. Books must be purchased from a festival bookstore in order to be signed, with the exception of one pre-owned book per author.
Why do we restrict pre-owned books? On site book sales are absolutely critical to the success of the festival. By purchasing books at the festival, you support the amazing independent bookstores that partner with us as well as the authors and publishers who travel from near and far to share their work at the festival. Thank you for your support and understanding of this policy.
The festival is delighted to feature satellite bookstores to all festival stages, where attendees can purchase a book and get it signed on site. Authors will sign books immediately following the end of their event. Remember: your $5 voucher is good at any vendor at the book fair!
All books purchased at the festival, through the Powell’s, Broadway Books, Annie Bloom’s, or Green Bean bookstores, or at any of the book fair vendors, support the authors and publishers who travel from near and far to share their work at the festival and the booksellers and vendors who invest time and expense to be at the book fair. Literary Arts asks attendees to respect and follow this policy. Please buy early and often and know you are supporting the sustainability of the festival.
Book dealers are NOT allowed to bring books into the book signing area. Dealers with rolling carts and/or wagons are not allowed on the festival grounds.
Q: WILL THERE BE A BOOK FAIR AT THE FESTIVAL? HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Yes! The book fair will represent some of the best of Portland, Oregon, and Pacific Northwest plus national publishing, writing, literary culture, academic opportunities, and more. Full-price admission to the festival will grant each attendee a $5 book voucher that they can redeem only at the book fair that day.
Applications for the 2023 exhibitor fair are closed. If you would like to be added to a wait list please email festival@literary-arts.org.
Q: HOW DO I REDEEM MY BOOK VOUCHER?
A full-price in-person festival pass includes a $5 book voucher. Festival book vouchers are non-transferrable, cannot be exchanged for cash, and are limited to one per attendee. For example, you could use your one $5 voucher toward the purchase of a $15 book, but you could not purchase a $15 book with three vouchers. Vouchers are redeemable only on festival day at the book fair at the Portland Art Museum. All festival vendors accept vouchers. Vouchers will be distributed to attendees at the point of ticket purchase or at will call pick up. Vouchers are not redeemable for cash and are limited to one per person.
WRITING CLASSES
Q: WILL THERE BE WRITING CLASSES AT THE FESTIVAL?
Information from 2023: Yes! More info and registration here.
Q: I REGISTERED FOR A WORKSHOP. WHERE DO I GET MY WRISTBAND?
Information from 2023: Workshop/class registration does NOT include a festival pass. Festival passes should be purchased separately here.
Q: HOW DO I SUBMIT A WRITING CLASS PROPOSAL TO THE FESTIVAL?
Portland Book Festival writing classes are curated by the Director of Programs for Writers, Susan Moore. If you are interested in teaching at a future festival, send a proposal to susan@literary-arts.org.
PUBLICITY AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Q: IS THERE A FESTIVAL HASHTAG? HOW DO I FIND THE FESTIVAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA?
There is a hashtag! It is #PDXBookFest, and look for Literary Arts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Q: I’D LIKE TO WRITE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL. WHOM DO I CONTACT?
Please send all Portland Book Festival-related press requests to Jyoti Roy at jyoti@literary-arts.org.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Q: WILL THERE BE AN EXHIBITOR FAIR AT THE FESTIVAL?
Yes! The book fair will represent some of the best of Portland, Oregon, and Pacific Northwest plus national publishing, writing, literary culture, academic opportunities, and more. Full-price admission to the festival will grant each attendee a $5 book voucher that they can redeem only at the book fair that day.
Applications for the 2023 exhibitor fair are closed. If you would like to be added to a wait list please email festival@literary-arts.org.
Q: I’M A PUBLISHING INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL INTERESTED IN SENDING MY AUTHOR TO PORTLAND BOOK FESTIVAL. WHOM DO I CONTACT?
Book submissions are open now through June 14, 2024. Titles are considered for inclusion in the event on a rolling basis. View our guidelines and submit your book here.
Q: I AM A WRITER. CAN I PRESENT MY WORK AT THE FESTIVAL?
Book submissions are open now through June 14, 2024. Titles are considered for inclusion in the event on a rolling basis. View our guidelines and submit your book here.
Invitations are issued at the discretion of the senior artistic director, who creates the program well ahead of each festival. Literary Arts receives hundreds of submissions from publicists and authors wishing to present at the festival. Note that the festival focuses on discussion and conversation among writers/artists, and does not include single-author events. Events are interviews or in-conversation style and moderated panel discussions. We welcome your suggestions, but due to the large volume of unsolicited submissions received, Literary Arts is unable to respond to every submission individually or to return materials sent for consideration.
Q: CAN YOU PUT ME IN TOUCH WITH AN AUTHOR ON THE PROGRAM?
For privacy reasons, we are not able to pass on contact details for authors presenting at the festival. We also cannot pass on messages. The best way to contact our guest authors is through their publisher or agent, or through the contact information on the author’s website.
Q: HOW DO I SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE FESTIVAL?
Each year, the in-person festival relies on the support of hundreds of amazing volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly. Sign up to volunteer here. For questions about volunteering, email volunteer@literary-arts.org. Subscribe to our e-news and continue to check online for the latest news about the festival.
Q: HOW DO I BECOME A SPONSOR OF THE FESTIVAL?
Inquiries related to corporate sponsorship may be sent to our Director of Development, Bethany Byrd-Hill, at bethany@literary-arts.org.
Q: HOW DO I DONATE TO PORTLAND BOOK FESTIVAL AND LITERARY ARTS?
Pledge your support to the festival by donating to the Literary Arts general fund through our website and adding “Portland Book Festival” to the order notes. Questions about donating may be sent to our Director of Development, Bethany Byrd-Hill, at bethany@literary-arts.org.
MORE INFO
Q: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO STAY INFORMED OF PORTLAND BOOK FESTIVAL UPDATES?
Subscribe to our monthly e-news and continue to check online for the latest news! Follow our hashtag #PDXBookFest on social media.
Q: What are your COVID protocols?
Masking policies vary for all our events, and are subject to change. Please bring a mask with you and check individual event web pages for requirements.
Q: WHAT IS THE ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY?
Literary Arts has a zero tolerance policy for harassment of any kind. Access our organization’s anti-harassment policy here.
Q: HOW DOES LITERARY ARTS ENGAGE WITH EQUITY THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS?
We at Literary Arts recognize that a public commitment to equity is crucial to both our own growth and that of the Oregon arts and culture ecosystem. View our statement of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement here, and read more about our strategic framework and commitment to equity work here.
Q: WHAT IS LITERARY ARTS?
Established in 1984, Literary Arts is a nonprofit organization founded, inspired, and sustained by the likes of Ursula K. Le Guin and William Stafford, and has helped make Oregon more than a place with a bookish reputation. It is a comprehensive, nationally recognized cultural center for writers, publishers, readers, and lovers of thoughtful conversations.
Literary Arts is home to the country’s largest literary lecture series, where speakers share lectures and presentations that they’ve written specifically for Literary Arts or engage in unscripted onstage conversations with up to 2,700 people in a historic concert hall, plus thousands more public radio listeners across the state through a partnership with Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Literary Arts keeps literature democratic with more than 100 free community programs and events every year, connecting multiple generations and skill levels with renowned authors in public schools and spaces. The Writers in the Schools program hires working writers to teach and inspire local high school students. The Oregon Book Awards & Fellowships program awards $30,000 a year to transform Oregon writers into literary ambassadors who engage other Oregonians at writing classes and readings across the state. Portland Book Festival builds community around literature through author events, writing classes, an exhibitor fair, and more. Under the steady hand of an experienced scholar, readers explore demanding books in the discussion-based Delve Readers Seminars.
Q: WHAT IF MY QUESTION WASN’T ANSWERED HERE?
If you have additional questions, please contact la@literary-arts.org.