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First Draft Writers' Series
Third Thursday of each month, always FREE

Ursula LeGuin reading at First Draft.

The First Draft Writers’ Series brings authors and poets of note to the Pendleton stage to share new work. On the third Thursday of each month people who love the written word gather at the PCA’s Pearson Auditorium to hear our featured authors as well as three to five minute open mic readings by local emerging writers.

“Truly, [First Draft] was one of the best adventures of my writing career, right up there with winning the PNBA awards and being interviewed by Studs Turkel.”   - Craig Lesley

Our Open Mic readers add incredible life to First Draft. Whether you're a professional, emerging literary artist, amateur or just get a burst of inspiration to write one thing, we'd love to have you read your original 3-5 minute piece for the audience. Up to ten people can sign up each month to share their work after the featured author and a quick Q&A. Just send us a note in the Zoom chat that you'd like to read.

 

NEXT: Ellen Morris Bishop

Thursday, May 21, 2026
7:00 p.m.  BOTH in person and via Zoom
Zoom link HERE
(Having trouble with the link? Text or call Roberta at 541-310-7413 and she'll send it to you directly.)

Alan L. Contreras is a fourth-generation Oregonian and a graduate of the University of Oregon and its law school. He is retired from a career on the fringes of higher education. He previously served on the boards of the Friends of Malheur, Malheur Field Station, and Lane Education Service District, among others. He has published eight books as author, editor or co-editor with Oregon State University Press, plus several books with other publishers. Recent OSUP titles include A History of Oregon Ornithology, Collected Poems of Ada Hastings Hedges, Edge of Awe: Experiences of the Malheur-Steens Country and Afield: Forty Years of Birding the American West.

 

Coming soon:

May: Alan Contreras (in person)
June: Beth Piatote (in person)
July: Chris La Tray (in person)
August: Crossing Paths: Queer Moments the Changed Everything, edited by Paul Iarrobino.  Readers: Joy Holmes (in person), with Heidi Bruins Green, Jamison Green, Paul Iarrobino, and Scott Strickland via Zoom
September (Round-Up Break)
October: Marina Richie (Zoom only)
November: Ruby Hanson Murray and Laura Da' (in person)

Check out the list of esteemed writers who have headlined First Draft since 2013.

Become a Friend of First Draft HERE.