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Literary Events & Lectures

Seattle is proud to be recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature.

With a thriving literary community and a highly educated and book-loving populace, Seattle offers an abundance of riches for lovers of the written and spoken word.

Richard Hugo House is a community of readers and writers, offering readings and classes for youth and adults. Dive in to the always-popular lecture or poetry series at Seattle Arts and Lectures, or visit the Seattle Public Library for an author reading and discussion. Town Hall Seattle presents lectures on science, culture, and civics as part of its active program schedule. Long time local landmark University Book Store hosts and presents hundreds of author events each year. The Elliott Bay Book Company not only offers more than 150,000 titles in their beloved store but hosts almost daily author readings in their intimate reading room.  And the Jack Straw Writer’s Program connects writers to audio resources, producing lectures, podcasts and more.

We love words and ideas in Seattle. Learn more about our UNESCO World City of Literature designation at seattlecityoflit.org.

See Seattle's NEW Literary Map here!

Seattle Literary Map

Notes From A Writer

Whether you love to write or love to read, Seattle is home to many places to find inspiration. Notes From A Writer asks local writers what makes Seattle such a rich, rewarding place to explore, calling out some of their favorite neighborhoods, restaurants, and inspiring spots around the city. Stay tuned and follow along on Instagram for more writer recommendations!

Thank you to our participating writers, authors, poets, and journalists:

Christian Paige | Kristen Millares Young | Allecia Vermillion | Margaret Speck OgawaGabriel Teodros

Seattle Bookmarked Series

Experience the city that has inspired readers and authors alike in #SeattleBookmarked. Each episode honors an excerpt from one of the many stories that have been set in Seattle.

Seattle Bookmarked: The Boys in the Boat

Fall into the meditative flow state inspired by Seattle’s waterways and the rituals of rowing celebrated in Daniel James Brown’s bestseller, The Boys in the Boat, as read by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner. #SeattleBookmarked

Seattle Bookmarked: I Can Make This Promise

Feel the electric energy of Seattle’s Pike Place Market as described by Christine Day in her young adult novel I Can Make This Promise, as read by chef and restaurateur Kristi Brown. #SeattleBookmarked

Seattle Bookmarked: The Art of Racing in the Rain

Experience the beauty of Seattle in all its drizzly glory in this excerpt from The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein as read by actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan. #SeattleBookmarked

Upcoming Literary & Lecture Events

Brianna Madia with Steph Jagger

4/4/2024

Bestselling author Brianna Madia returns to Seattle to celebrate the release of her second memoir.

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Matthew Desmond: Poverty, By America

3/28/2024

In his landmark book, acclaimed sociologist Matthew Desmond draws on history, research, and original reporting to show how …

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Becky Selengut: Misunderstood Vegetables

4/3/2024

Seattle-based cookbook author Becky Selengut has made it her mission to take less popular, or even outright scorned …

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Lifecycle of Seattle Artists

3/26/2024

Explore the life cycle of Seattle artists in a dynamic round table discussion hosted by Sarah Traver, director …

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Sasha Issenberg with Austin Jenkins: The Lie Detectives

3/25/2024

Journalist Sasha Issenberg reveals how democracy is impacted by one of their era’s most pressing challenges: a digital …

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Ignite #45

3/21/2024

Ignite Seattle is the largest open submission public speaking event in the Pacific Northwest.

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