Prose, Poetry, and Art since 1956
In the first chapter of her instructional text Steering the Craft, Ursula K. Le Guin observes that “getting an act or an idea across isn’t all a story does. A story is made out of language, and language can and does express delight in itself just as music does. Poetry isn’t the only kind of writing that can sound gorgeous.” Many good writers of fiction and creative nonfiction employ…
In a few weeks, Portland will play host to an expected 12,000-or-so literary-minded visitors — editors, publishers, agents, teachers, and yes, lots and lots of writers — all gathering for the annual Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference, otherwise known as AWP. For both uninitiated and veteran attendees, the many lists of events, readings, offsite readings, panel discussions, and sponsored happy hours can feel…
To be examined and to be understood are two very different things. I wondered if an examination gives way to understanding upon learning one of the recipients of the 2018 O. Henry Award was Lara Vapnyar, for her semi-autobiographical fiction piece about her family friend who falls in love with a Deaf-Blind individual (“Deaf and Blind”, published in The New Yorker). I discovered Vapnyar’s story…
In these moments of upending crises, when the torments of war arrive in cities across the globe and render thousands homeless, many are forced to leave behind loved ones and cities in ruins. Because of this torrid climate, readers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry are calling for immigrant voices, yet many literary journals rarely include them. Immigrant and refugee writers, after making it out of…
Portland Review is pleased to announce its nominations for the 2019 Pushcart Prize and the 2019 Best Small Fictions anthology. A very warm congratulations to our contributors! Nominations for the 2019 Pushcart Prize: Dani Burlison, “How to Spend the Weekend with a Man Who Doesn’t Love You” Christopher Coake, “Getaway” Molly Gutman, “You and the Clarinetist” Christine Kitano, “Denim” Penny Newell, “Chopping Wood for Mum Because…