Richard Leis

Graphic: upside down evening black mountains over a pink sky

He appears.

opened white book on podium
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com

Richard has read his work, taught classes and workshops, sat on panels, and presented at various events about writing, planetary science, and the future. Invite him to speak or teach at your next in-person or online event.

Next Appearances
Past Appearances
Richard Leis takes a selfie with Frances Ippolito and H. A. Spector at the Bram Stoker Awards in 2025.
Image courtesy Angie Officer. Richard Leis reading flash fiction and poetry behind a podium at the HWA Oregon COLD Themed Horror Reading at Beaverton City Library. He is holding a microphone in front of a projection of the HWA Oregon logo on a screen behind and above him.
Richard Leis reading at the HWA Oregon Holiday Party at BOLD Coffee & Books. He's behind podium and microphone and there's a scary mannequin with long black hair behind him.
Richard Leis and Niyyah Ruscher-Haqq growl and hold their claws up at the Willamette Writers Conference in 2025.
Richard Leis sitting behind his table at the Beaverton City Library Local Author Fair. Weird Fiction Quarterly anthologies with his flash fiction and anthologies with his poetry sit on mini-shelf on top of the table, and books and flyers are laid out elsewhere. Image taken by Katherine Quevedo.

Next appearances.

2026

Tabling at 2026 Writer’s Fair

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Portland, OR

31 July 2026 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Join HWA Oregon at the Writer’s Fair, an annual event with programs and resources for writers hosted by Willamette Writers. It’s free and open to the pubic.

Richard will be there to help share what the Horror Writers Association and HWA Oregon offer horror and dark literature writers and publishing professionals.

Graphic with white text lined up on the left side on a background image of attendees at an event, centered on a smiling attendee listening to two other attendees speaking. The text reads: Willamette Writers Writer's Fair Participant, Join the Horror Writers Association Oregon Chapter at the Fair, July 31st, 5-7PM, Willamette Writers Conference.
Graphic courtesy Willamette Writers
Graphic with "Writers's Fair" in a large font centered on a white background with a black border. Each letter contains candid images of attendees at past Willamette Writers events and annual conferences.
Graphic courtesy Willamette Writers

Attending 2026 Willamette Writers Conference

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Portland, OR

31 July – 02 August 2026

Join writers, publishing professionals, and Willamette Writers members for “a life-changing weekend of writing.” Richard will be there to help out as a board member and volunteer, and as an attendee to learn a lot and meet other writers.

Willamette Writers website header, including stylized green "W" and text "Willamette Writers" and "Community, Craft, Career"

Past hauntings.

2026

Tabling at Beaverton Local Author Fair

Beaverton City Library, Beaverton, OR

16 May 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM PT

Readers and writers: Come meet Richard Leis at his table and purchase recent Weird Fiction Quarterly anthologies that include his horror and speculative flash fiction stories.

more details

Richard Leis sitting behind his table at the Beaverton City Library Local Author Fair. Weird Fiction Quarterly anthologies with his flash fiction and anthologies with his poetry sit on mini-shelf on top of the table, and books and flyers are laid out elsewhere. Image taken by Katherine Quevedo.
Image Credit: Katherine Quevedo

Tabling at HWA Oregon Spring 2026 Reading

Memento Mori Cafe, Portland, OR

25 April 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM PT

Join HWA Oregon for our spring horror reading at Memento Mori Cafe in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, April 25th, 2026 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Richard attended and brought some of the anthologies featuring his recent flash fiction stories.

Event announcement: HWA Oregon Presents a Horror Reading at Memento Mori Cafe, 533 NW 24th Ave., Portland, Saturday, April 25th from 2-2:30 P.M. Join us to hear local horror authors read some spooky stories. There is a round HWA Oregon Chapter logo in the top right with graphic of a slug on a typewriter with "Horroregonian" typed on paper. In the middle left is the round Memento Mori Cafe logo with an ornamented skull with long hair and flowers as a crown over the name of the cafe, with coffee beans sprinkled around. In the background is a desaturated and dark closeup image of flowers standing in a field.
Graphic by Amber Finnegan with logos courtesy HWA Oregon and Memento Mori Cafe

Reading & Tabling: COLD Themed Horror

Beaverton City Library, Meeting Room B, Beaverton, OR

31 Jan 2026, 2:00 – 4:00 PM PT

Read “Star Business” (flash fiction) and “Star Business” (poem), sold copies of anthologies I’m in, and talked to attendees. The reading was hosted by HWA Oregon and featured local horror authors Nathan Carson, Andrew S. Fuller, Vanessa MacLellan, Jacy Morris, Katherine Quevedo, Niyyah Ruscher-Haqq, and Tom Witherspoon reading their chilly stories and poems perfect for the winter season.

more details

Announcement for HWA Oregon Presents COLD Horror Reading at Beaverton City Library, Saturday, Jan 31, 2 p.m. "Join us to hear local horror authors read some winter themed spooky stories." This text is centered down the page with the HWA Oregon logo of a slug on a typewriter in the upper right and a wintery forest scene in the background in black and white.
Graphic courtesy HWA Oregon

2025

Presentation: “Horror Poetry for Prose Writers”

HWA Oregon Chapter Meeting (online)

21 Dec 2025, 6:00 – 7:00 PM PT

Guest speaker at the December 2025 HWA Oregon chapter meeting, discussing horror and speculative poetry and how poetry craft can help prose writers, too.

HWA Oregon logo with an illustration of a blood-red-spotted slug typing on a typewriter. The text on the sheet of paper in the typewriter is Horroregonians. In the background there is a red circle like blood or a slug slime trail around the typewriter with Horror Writers Association in red text in an arc above the circle and Oregon Chapter in red text in an arc below the circle.
Logo courtesy HWA Oregon

Reading & Tabling: “Meet a Horror Author Halloween Party“

Beaverton City Library, Meeting Room A, Beaverton, OR

25 Oct 2025, 1:00-3:00 PM PT

Read “Husks in Holes by Morning,” “Witch House,” and new flash fiction. The event was hosted by HWA Oregon and featured local horror authors Dan Finnegan, Andrew Fuller, Frances Lu-Pai Ippolito, J.B. Kish, Richard Leis, Elizabeth Mitchell, Niyyah Ruscher-Haqq, Katherine Quevedo, and H. A. Spector.

more details

Orange and white spooky text and illustrations of ghosts reading and carrying books. In the background, a close-up image of a stack of old, yellowed books sitting on a thick wrinkled table cloth. Text reads "Horror Authors Book Party with HWA Oregon. Saturday October 25, Beaverton City Library, 1-3 PM, All Ages. Join local horror authors, including read-alongs, book recommendations, and candy. Books from some authors will be on sale."
Graphic courtesy HWA Oregon

Reading at “Real Haunted Happenings with HWA Oregon“

BOLD Coffee & Books, Portland, OR

24 Oct 2025, 7:00-8:30 PM PT

Read “The Bird is Not Heralding Itself” and new flash fiction at HWA Oregon’s annual Halloween Party, reading, and real spooky encounters open mic.

more details

HWA Oregon logo and Bold Coffee & Books logo on either side of an illustration of a crowned skull at the top of a worn piece of paper with cut-off illustrations, wrinkles and rips. Below this is the following text: HWA Oregon Presents: Halloween Party at Bold Coffee. There is a list of activities next: Costume Contest (w. Prizes), Readings from Local Horror Authors, Open-Mic: Your Real Spooky Encounters. Below this is the date, time, and address: Friday 24 October, 06:30 - 08:30 PM, 1755 SW Jefferson Street, Portland, OR.
Graphic courtesy HWA Oregon

Tabling at HWA Oregon at Salem Pride in the Park

Riverfront Park, Salem, OR

20 Sep 2025, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM PT

Sold horror books from local members and publishers and told visitors about HWA and HWA Oregon.

Richard Leis and H. A. Spector crewing the HWA Oregon table at Salem Pride in September 2025.
Richard Leis and H. A. Spector crew the HWA Oregon table at Salem Pride on September 20, 2025.

Panelist at “Coffee with the Board”

2025 Willamette Writers Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Portland, OR

3 Aug 2025, 9:00-10:00 AM PT

The Willamette Writers Board of Directors met with conference attendees to answer questions and discuss topics important to writers and other literary professionals.

more details

Graphic for 2025 Willamette Writers Hybrid Conference, with dates (July 30-August 3, 2025) and website (Willamettewritersconference.org.) White background, green border. Green highlight box around website.
Graphic courtesy Willamette Writers

Tabling with SFPA

2025 Willamette Writers Book Fair, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Portland, OR

1 Aug 2025, 5:00-7:00 PM PT

Helped with Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association (SFPA) table at the Book Fair, telling visitors about the organization and their contests and resources.

more details

Graphic for 2025 Willamette Writers Hybrid Conference, with dates (July 30-August 3, 2025) and website (Willamettewritersconference.org.) White background, green border. Green highlight box around website.
Graphic courtesy Willamette Writers

Table Host: “First Page Critiques”

2025 Willamette Writers Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Portland, OR

1 Aug 2025, 2:00-3:00 PM PT

Led a table of writers in critiquing their first pages.

more details

Graphic for 2025 Willamette Writers Hybrid Conference, with dates (July 30-August 3, 2025) and website (Willamettewritersconference.org.) White background, green border. Green highlight box around website.
Graphic courtesy Willamette Writers

Contest Judge for 2025 Writers Studio Write-to-Read Contest

Apr – May 2025

Served as judge to read submitted work and select winning writers.

more details

Winners announcement graphic, with The Writers Studio Tucson, fiction & poetry workshops logo on the left above a closeup image of a typewriter. On the right side, the following text is centered: 2025 Write-to-Read Competition The submissions were outstanding, the competition was fierce, and we are excited to announce the results! First Place Dana Lapides, "The Wicked Magnet" Second Place Stacey Ramsower, "A Cidade Maravilhosa" Third Place Ed Granski, "At Brother Vince's Gym" Honorable Mentions Sarah Therio, "Love Letter" Paula Brown, "How to Watch a Soccer Game" Our honorees wil be featured at a special reading eventl Saturday, June 14. 5:30 PM at Stacks Book Club. Orange and violet colors and gradients are used in the design for the background colors. Yellow text is used for Write-to-Read, the places and honorable mentions headers, and the data and location at the bottom. White text is used for the winners and their piece titles as well as the word Tucson in the logo. Black text is used for the remaining text.
Graphic courtesy The Writers Studio Tucson

2024

Reading at “Meet a Horror Author Halloween Party“

Beaverton City Library, Beaverton, OR

26 Oct 2024, 1-3 PM PT

Read the opening pages of “The Yogurt Swimmer.”

Flyer for "Meet a Horror Author Halloween Party" on Saturday, October 26 from 1 to 3 p.m at Beaverton City Library, Meeting Room B. Graphic of a cute pumpkin walking with candy and a thumb up, along with a bat, stars, leaves, and dots. Background is wrinkled paper or cloth. All Ages Welcome. Books, treats, candy, stories. Featuring Wendy Wagner, Andrew Fuller, Katherine Quevedo, Richard Leis, J.B. Kish, Sarah Walker, Eric Grove, Niyyah Ruscher-Haqq

Reading at HWA Oregon Halloween Party

Bold Coffee and Books, Portland, OR

25 Oct 2024, 7:00-8:30 PM PT

Read “Witch House” and “Waves of Grass.”

Flyer for October 25th reading at BOLD Coffee & Books at 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. PT in Portland, Oregon, featuring Oregon HWA writers. Graphic includes a spooky tree with no leaves, bats, and the full moon behind clouds. Text: "A Halloween Reading. You're Invited to Hear Spooky Stories! October 25th @ 7-8:30 pm at the new BOLD Coffee & Books 1755 SW Jefferson St., Portland, OR." Includes the Oregon HWA logo with a bloody slug on a typewriter with paper with the text "Horroregonians" on it.

Reading at the Timberline Review Launch Party

2024 Willamette Writers Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel
Portland, OR

2 Aug 2024, 7:00 PM PT

Read “After ‘Wave, North Shore of Oahu’ Photograph.”

Logo and information for Willamette Writers Hybrid Conference, July 31 - August 4, 2024, with a green typewriter graphic with a sheet of paper in it with a stylized "W" on it. Willamettewritersconference.org at the bottom

Workshop: “Oranges or Clementines? Clarity and Specificity in Poetry”

2024 Tucson Poetry Festival Winter Workshop Series
Online

13 Jan 2024, 6:00 PM MT

Graphic advertising the Tucson Poetry Festival: Write More in 2024! Winter Workshop Series. Saturdays in January, featuring Richard Leis, TC Tolbert, and Betsy Mahaffey. Thumbnails of poets leading workshops.

2022

Reading

2022 Tucson Poetry Festival Open Mic

LaCo (La Cocina) Restaurant & Cantina
Tucson, AZ

24 Apr 2022

Read “Roadside Freak Show,” “Terminal Cladode Orientation in Opuntia,” and “The Roadrunner.”

more details

Tucson Poetry Festival Announcement, 23-24 April 2022, including images of featured poets Eleanor Kedney, Lauren Camp, Susan Briante, TC Tolbert
Workshops

Catalyst Arts & Maker Space
Tucson, AZ

16-17 Apr 2022

Led poetry labs at Making Space: A Workshop on Space, SciArt, & Society.

Announcement for Making Space: A Workshop on Space, SciArt, & Society," April 15-17, 2022 at Catalyst Arts & Maker Space in Tucson, AZ. Planetary science, plenary talks, and art labs.

2021

Reading (Online)

2021 Tucson Poetry Festival Open Mic

18 Apr 2021
3:00 PM MT

Read “Consideration” and “Bird Chooses to Make a Habitat of Heart.”

more details

Tucson Poetry Festival 2021 Poster with illustration of mountains and details about dates and featured poets: Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18, 2021 with workshops taught by Linda D. Addison, Raquel Gutiérrez, Eduardo C. Corral, and Jake Skeets, a reading, and an open mic

2020

Reading (OnlinE)

2020 Tucson Poetry Festival Open Mic

19 Apr 2020

Read “Prescription for Far Sight.”

more details

Tucson Poetry Festival 2020 Poster
Contest Judge

University of Arizona Poetry Center K-12 Poetry Contest

Jul – Aug 2020

Served as one of the judges reading and selecting winning poets.

more details

Banner for K-12 Poetry Contest presented by Arizona Public Media, The University of Arizona Poetry Center, and Pima County Public Library, with illustrated Arizona desert and sky scene in background
Image Credit: The University of Arizona Poetry Center

2019

Reading

“UNREAL: Readings from Writers Studio Tucson Teachers“

Antigone Books
Tucson, Arizona

18 Oct 2019

Read “[Aliens are here],” “Phantom Taste of Apricot on My Tongue,” “Cities Through Telescopes,” “City as Fairy Tale,” and “Burning Baby.”

more details

Poster for Unreal
Reading

Classes & Workshops Reading

The University of Arizona Poetry Center
Tucson, AZ

2 May 2019
7:00 PM MT

Read select poems.

Image of the University of Arizona Poetry Center by Henry Tom via Wikimedia Commons
Henry Tom [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Reading

“Secrets: A Writers Studio Tucson Reading”

Antigone Books
Tucson, AZ

24 Feb 2019

Read “Coward’s Unsent Query Letter Including Chapter Summary of Memoir Not Written.”

Poster for Secrets A Writers Studio Tucson Reading

2017

Reading

“Room: A Literary Reading“

Antigone Books
Tucson, AZ

20 Oct 2017
7:00 PM MT

Read “These Are the Animals You May Eat.”

more details

Image of white doors opening into white room with wood floor and all-cap text of the word "room" in red at the top of the doorway

2014

Reading

The Hattie Lockett Awards Reading

The University of Arizona Poetry Center
Tucson, AZ

20 November 2014

Read “He can wear hats,” “The Talents,” and “The Divorce of Lilith and Samuel.”

Image of the University of Arizona Poetry Center by Henry Tom via Wikimedia Commons
Henry Tom [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

2009

Conference

SpaceVision 2009

University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

13 Nov 2009

Gave “HiRISE” presentation.

SpaceVision 2009 logo with dates (November 12th - 15th 2009) and illustration of astronaut tossing a comet like a ball in space
SpaceVision 2009 logo
Conference

BIL 2009

Long Beach, CA

7-8 Feb 2009

Gave “The State of Humanity+” and “The Great Vanishing” presentations.

2008

Public Event

Phoenix Mars Lander Landing Celebration

Tucson, AZ

25 May 2008

Tabled with HiRISE and gave “HiRISE” presentation.

2007

Conference

X Prize Cup

Holloman Air Force Base
Alamogordo, NM

26-28 Oct 2007

Tabled with HiRISE.

Public Event

The University of Arizona Family Weekend

The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

20 Oct 2007

Tabled with HiRISE and the University of Arizona Lunar & Planetary Laboratory.

Guest Speaker

Western Photographic Historical Society Meeting

Tucson, AZ

4 Oct 2007
7:00 PM MT

Gave “HiRISE” presentation.

Conference & Panelist

LepreCon 33

Tempe, Arizona

11 May 2007

Sat on “Can Biotechnology Alter Human Nature, and Should It?” and “Artificial Intelligence: Will We Recognize It When We See It?” panels.

LepreCon 33 logo with Moon and planets, rocket, and skyscrapers and vehicles from Star Wars.
LepreCon 33 logo
Public Event

Phoenix Mars Mission Open House II

The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

5 May 2007

Tabled with HiRISE.

Guest Speaker

Prescott Astronomy Club Thursday Night Star Talk

Prescott Public Library
Prescott, AZ

19 Apr 2007
6:30 – 8:00 PM MT

Gave “HiRISE: The People’s Camera” presentation.

Guest Speaker

Students for the Exploration and Development of Space

The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

9 Feb 2007

Gave “HiRISE” presentation.

2006

Guest Speaker

Congregation Anshei Israel

Tucson, AZ

10 Dec 2006

Gave “HiRISE” presentation.

Public Event

Phoenix Mars Mission Open House

The University of Arizona Tucson, AZ

21 Oct 2006

Tabled with HiRISE.

Public Event

Mars Mania II

Charles P. Sonett Space Sciences Building, The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

8 Apr 2006

Gave “HiRISE” presentation.

Public Event

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Public Event

Kuiper Space Science Building, The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

10 Mar 2006
1:00 – 4:00 PM MT

MRO Mars orbital insertion co-host.

2005

Public Event

Mars Mania I

Charles P. Sonett Space Sciences Building, University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

Aug 2005

Gave “HiRISE” presentation.