Sign up to receive Zoom links the morning of each event.

* indicates required

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, April 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.)

PENDLETON--Science and the oral histories of a region are sometimes viewed as being at odds with one another, but the developing field of ethnogeology is showing how Indigenous stories about the origins and history of geologic features contribute to the body of geological knowledge.

Ellen Morris Bishop, a geologist, writer, and photographer who holds a Ph. D. from Oregon State University, has long studied how the events observed by people who have lived with the landscape since time immemorial are essential to understanding geology. Bishop will read from her new book, Living With Thunder, at the First Draft Writers’ Series at the Pendleton Center for the Arts on Thursday, April 16th at 7:00 PM. The event is being offered in a hybrid format, so guest may attend in person at PCA or join online via Zoom.

Bishop will discuss the new discoveries regarding how the Yellowstone Hotspot produced the Columbia River basalts and how the oral traditions of Plateau Tribes and other Indigenous peoples are being recognized for their geological accuracy and insight. Regional stories document volcanic eruptions, Cascadia and other significant earthquakes, Ice Age floods, catastrophic landslides, and many other events that today's geologists are still researching.

By combining engaging science writing with stunning color photographs, Ellen Morris Bishop presents an up-to-date geologic survey of Washington, Oregon, Northern California, and western Idaho.

First Draft Writers Series has been welcoming the Pacific Northwest’s best writers to read for audiences in a mix of in-person and Zoom-based events every third Thursday since 2013. Zoom links and more information are available at PendletonArts.org.

 

Coming soon:

May: Alan Contreras
June: Beth Piatote
July: Chris La Tray
August: TBD
September (Round-Up Break)
October: TBD
November: Ruby Hanson Murray and Laura Da

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

Become a Friend of First Draft HERE.