I love connecting with other writers, and really appreciate getting to read, teach, and speak alongside them.

A smiling woman and man talk on a small stage surrounded by books.

Jessie in conversation with McSweeney’s author Leland de la Durantaye at Mother Foucault’s Bookshop

Upcoming Events

I hope to see you there ♡

[READING] Incite: Queer Writers Read

I’ll be a featured reader—alongside Eric Tran and RJ Equality Ingram—at Incite: Queer Writers Read, a curated reading series for queer writers. Incite’s hope is to create conversation, connection, and greater understanding both within the queer community and with other communities. Free event!

  • Wednesday, March 19, 2025 • 7 p.m. Pacific

  • Literary Arts

  • 716 SE Grand Ave • Portland, OR 97214

Past Events

[READING] Red Light Lit Poetry Reading with Hollie Hardy

Featuring musicians Nick Jaina and Mary Simich and writers Jessie Carver, Justin Rigamonti, Charity E. Yoro, Armin Tolentino, Jennifer Lewis, and Nick Jaina as part of the book launch tour for the poetry book Lions Like Us by Hollie Hardy.

  • Friday, July 19, 2024 • 7 p.m. Pacific

  • Grover’s Curiosity Shop

  • 1410 SE Clinton St. • Portland, OR

[READING] Chatter PDX

I was the featured writer to give a reading in this new, 1-hour event series that showcases traditional and contemporary chamber music from members of the Oregon Symphony.

  • Sunday, June 23, 2024 • 10:30–11:30 a.m. Pacific

  • Pacific Center

  • 851 Southwest 6th Ave • Portland, OR 97204

  • Tickets range from $5–$20

[READING] Surprise, Surprise: Summer of Surprises

Reading with Charity E. Yoro, Jessie Carver, Kyle John Kyle, and Sean Cumming.

  • Sunday, September 17, 2023 • 7–9 p.m. Pacific

  • North Coast Seed Artist Studios

  • 2127 N. Albina Ave • Portland, OR 97215

[READING] Guava: A Show with BUNNY Presse/Fonograf Editions

Reading with Kristen Diederich, Ashley Yang Thompson, and Arda Collins, featuring art by Zach Ozma, Kristen Diederich, Robert Fernandez, and Ashley Yang Thompson.

  • Saturday, July 1, 2023 • 6–10 p.m. Pacific • Readings at 7 p.m. Pacific

  • 1122 Outside Gallery

  • 7629 SE Harrison St. • Portland, OR 97215

[READING] Alchemy & The Pointed Circle Lit Mag Launch Party

Reading at the literary magazine launch party for Alchemy and The Pointed Circle, featuring Portland Community College’s current Carolyn Moore writing residents: Crystal Wilkinson (2021–2023 Poet Laureate of Kentucky) and award-winning artist and poet Ron Davis (upfromsumdirt).

  • Wednesday, June 14, 2023 • 7 p.m. Pacific

  • 705 N. Killingsworth St. • Portland, OR

  • PCC Cascade Campus Terrell Hall, Room 122

[TEACHING] Corporeal Writing Class

“From the Personal to the Political: The Ethics of Editing”

You can learn more here

  • Saturday, February 11, 2023 • 1–3 p.m. Pacific

  • Corporeal Writing | Virtual webinar over Zoom

  • Sliding scale, with scholarships available

[READING] Nomadic Press Book Release Event for The New Low by Jennifer Lewis

Reading with Jennifer Lewis, Loria Mendoza, Rascher Marie Alcasid, Krista Hanley, and Nazelah Jamison, with music by Elizabeth Lubin.

  • Saturday, October 15, 2022 • 1–3 p.m. Pacific

  • Nomadic Press | Online over Zoom

 

[WRITING RESIDENCY] Artist in Residence

I was selected as an artist in residence to participate in a 5-day writing residency along the Washington coast.

  • Sunday, October 25, 2020 – Friday, October 30, 2020

  • Sou'wester Historic Lodge & Vintage Trailer Resort | Seaview, WA

[READING] Red Light Lit: Virtual Reading for The Battery (San Francisco)

Reading with Thea Matthews, Nick Jaina, Chelsea Coleman, and Jennifer Lewis.

  • Friday, April 3, 2020 • 8–9:30 p.m. Pacific

  • Online over Zoom

 

[READING] Small Press Residency for Perfect Day Publishing

Reading with Dan DeWeese and Evan P. Schneider, hosted by Michael Heald.

  • Thursday, October 3, 2019 • 6–8 p.m. Pacific

  • Rocking Frog Cafe | Portland, OR

 

[PANELIST] “Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Conscious Editing and Writing” Panel

Ooligan Press’s Write to Publish Conference, speaking along with Janice Lee, Sarah Heilman, and Jessica Mehta.

  • Saturday, April 27, 2019 • 3:45–4:45 p.m. Pacific

  • Portland State University | Portland, OR

 

[READING] Red Light Lit at AWP

Reading with Amber Flame, Kiki Nicole, Miah Jeffra, Jennifer Lewis, Josey Rose, Preeti Vangani, and Nick Jaina

  • Thursday, March 28, 2019 • 6:30–8:30 p.m. Pacific

  • The Liquor Store | Portland, OR

 

[HOSTING] McSweeney’s Book Tour Event

Introducing and hosting a conversation and Q&A with author Leland de la Durantaye for his debut novel Hannah Versus the Tree, published by McSweeney’s.

  • Friday, December 7, 2018 • 7–9 p.m. Pacific

  • Mother Foucault’s Bookshop | Portland, OR

 

[READING] Red Light Lit Show

Reading with musician Josiah Johnson (The Head and The Heart), photographer Erin Wilson, poets Thea Matthews and Christine No, and writers Peter Bullen, Matt Carney, and Ari Moskowitz.

  • Thursday, October 4, 2018 • 7:30–9 p.m. Pacific

  • PianoFight | San Francisco, CA

 

[READING] Red Light Lit – Book Release Tour (PORTLAND) for Love Is the Drug & Other Dark Poems

Reading with Katt Cavallo, Jennifer Lewis, Kiki Nicole, Bee Bee Queen, and Reema Zaman.

  • Saturday, August 11, 2018 • 7–9 p.m. Pacific

  • The Liquor Store | Portland, OR

 

[READING] Red Light Lit – Book Release Tour (L.A.) for Love Is the Drug & Other Dark Poems

Reading with Christine No, Josey Rose, Jennifer Lewis, and Jessica Graham.

  • Friday, August 3, 2018 • 7–9 p.m. Pacific

  • Art Share L.A. | Los Angeles, CA

 

[READING] Red Light Lit – Book Release Tour (CHICAGO) for Love Is the Drug & Other Dark Poems

Reading with Jennifer Lewis, Nick Jaina, Betsy Saule, and Kristina Sergeevna Ten, hosted by comedian Luna Malbroux.

  • Sunday, July 15, 2018 • 7–9 p.m. Central

  • Ace Hotel Chicago | Chicago, IL

 

[HOSTING] Death Club: A Reading Series

Co-hosting a new reading series that features Julia Dixon Evans, Martha Grover, Santi Elijah Holley, Casey Jarman, Kate Jayroe, and Tiffany Scandal.

  • Thursday, May 17, 2018 • 7–9 p.m. Pacific

  • Erickson Gallery | Portland, OR

 

[READING] Red Light Lit – Valentine’s Day (PORTLAND)

Reading with Katt Cavallo, Martha Grover, Kelsey Kundera, Kevin Maloney, Sheba Queen, Reema Zaman, and musician Haley Heynderickx.

  • Wednesday, February 14, 2018 • 7–9 p.m. Pacific

  • The Liquor Store | Portland, OR

 

[READING] Red Light Lit Show

Reading with Christine No, Grey Rosado, Josey Rose, Scott Keneally, Mark Morford, and Kristina Sergeevna Ten, hosted by comedian Luna Malbroux.

  • Thursday, January 11, 2018 • 8–10 p.m. Pacific

  • PianoFight | San Francisco, CA

 

[READING] Red Light Lit Show: The Stories That Bind Us

Reading with Nick Jaina, Julia Laxer, Jennifer Lewis, Chris Mancari, Sheba Queen, and Kelsey Whitman, with musicians Stelth Ulvang (The Lumineers) and Dorota Szuta.

  • Saturday, November 18, 2017 • 7–9 p.m. Pacific

  • The Liquor Store | Portland, OR

 

[READING] Red Light Lit: Portland Pop-Up Dinner

Reading with Nick Jaina, Jennifer Lewis, Sheba Queen, David Williams, and Kelsey Whitman.

  • Friday, May 12, 2017 • 6–8 p.m. Pacific

  • The Liquor Store | Portland, OR

 

[BOOK LAUNCH] Book Release Party for Rethinking Paper & Ink: The Sustainable Publishing Revolution

Book release party celebrating the book I co-authored with Natalie Guidry.

  • Friday, April 21, 2011 • 6–9 p.m. Pacific

  • Springbox Art Gallery | Portland, OR

[PRESENTING] SHIFT: Green Design Salon

AIGA’s Conference on Sustainable Design.

  • Tuesday, May 25, 2010 • 7–9 p.m. Pacific

  • Ecotrust | Portland, OR

 

[PANELIST] “How to Find a Publisher” Panel

Ooligan Press’s Write to Publish Conference, speaking as an acquisitions editor along with Dennis Stovall, Mary Darcy, and Maureen Inouye.

  • Saturday, May 22, 2010

  • Portland State University | Portland, OR

 

[PANELIST] “Sustainable Publishing” Panel

Ooligan Press’s Write to Publish Conference, speaking along with Natalie Guidry, Janine Eckhart, Melissa Brumer, and Laura Whipple.

  • Saturday, May 22, 2010

  • Portland State University | Portland, OR

 

[PANELIST] “Understanding Sustainability” Panel

Speaking at the Portland Center for Public Humanities’ Sustainability Conference, along with Natalie Guidry.

  • Friday, May 21, 2010 • 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Pacific

  • PSU’s Native American Student and Community Center (NASCC) | Portland, OR