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: Chris La Tray
Thursday, July 16, 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.)
Photo Credit: Chris Chapman
Chris La Tray is a Métis storyteller, a descendent of the Pembina Band of the mighty Red River of the North and a citizen of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. His third book, Becoming Little Shell: A Landless Indian’s Journey Home, was published by Milkweed Editions on August 20, 2024 and has received a number of accolades including a Pacific Northwest Book Award and a Writing the West Award, and Best Memoir of the Year selections from both People and Esquire magazines. His first book, One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large won the 2018 Montana Book Award and a 2019 High Plains Book Award. His book of haiku and haibun poetry, Descended from a Travel-worn Satchel, was published in 2021 by Foothills Publishing. Chris served as the 2025 Kittredge Distinguished Visiting Writer at the University of Montana and was awarded the 2025 Montana Heritage Keeper Award by the Montana Historical Society. Chris writes the weekly newsletter "An Irritable Métis" and lives near Frenchtown, Montana. He was the 11th Montana Poet Laureate, holding that post for 2023–2025.
https://www.chrislatray.com
THANK YOU to Red Lion of Pendleton for generously hosting First Draft authors.
Coming soon:
August: Crossing Paths: Queer Moments the Changed Everything, edited by Paul Iarrobino. Readers: Joy Holmes (in person), with Scott, Paul Iarrobino, Jeff Lawrence, and Ken Barker
(in person and via Zoom)
September (Round-Up Break)
October: Marina Richie (Zoom only)
November: Ruby Hanson Murray and Laura Da' (in person)
Become a Friend of First Draft HERE.