On Being a Reporter

December 2, 2019

In an essay filled with challenging bike commutes and jaded reporters, Kristen Millares Young writes of her days as a journalist at the Seattle P-I newspaper before its collapse, and her transition to a novelist after. Read more

Kristen Millares Young

Three Abortions in Oregon

September 9, 2019

Portland-based writer Sophia Shalmiyev talks honestly about the three abortions she’s had–and how in Oregon, which has some of strongest legal protections for reproductive health, much remains to be done to keep abortion legal, paid for, and free of shame. Read more

Sophia Shalmiyev

The Nipple Line

August 27, 2019

“You don’t always have to travel to explore,” Portland writer Vix Gutierrez discovers in an essay about adjusting to life in her thirties. Her epiphany comes as she faces mortality in a CPR course while her partner is on vacation in New Orleans. Read more

Vix Gutierrez

House Arrest

March 4, 2019

Poet Danika Dinsmore gives an impassioned, first person account of being arrested and sentenced for demonstrating against expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline across British Columbia. Read more

Danika Dinsmore

All the Elements at Play

January 22, 2019

In a humorous essay, Portland author Jason Arias recalls the absolutely true story of an incident at a safari park on the Oregon coast involving a chimp, Pokemon, his sons, and a tale of karmic justice. Read more

Jason Arias

Great Grinning Things

December 20, 2018

In an essay and review of Nicola Griffith’s novel So Lucky, Spokane-based writer Sharma Shields candidly explores the struggles and surprises of living with multiple sclerosis– a disease that the novel’s narrator, Griffith, and Shields have all been diagnosed with. Read more

Sharma Shields

I’ll Never Own a Home in Vancouver

September 19, 2018

Poet and memoirist Chelene Knight reflects on growing up in Vancouver, and comes to terms with the fact she’ll probably never own a home there as prices continue to skyrocket. A lyrical examination of what’s lost as cities confront gentrification. Read more

Chelene Knight

We Hope You Enjoy Portland Spirit

July 16, 2018

In an essay by Terrence Petty, it’s just another strange day in Portland full of protests, counter-protests, colorful characters, police flashbang grenades, and tourists sailing by oblivious to it all. Read more

Terrence Petty

Why women, why science, why now?

May 31, 2018

Climate scientist Sarah Myhre writes about how women scientists in Seattle are working for justice and equity, forming organizations like 500 Women Scientists. Myrhe also talks with professor Sapna Cheryan about her research into how women have been excluded from STEM fields. Read more

Sarah E. Myhre

And the peals of empty bottles sound almost like laughter

March 7, 2018

This hybrid essay is a literary “hangover” to Meghan McClure and Michael Schmeltzer’s book A Single Throat Opens. Exploring both the pain and allure of alcoholism, it’s a lyrical series of vignettes and memories. After the essay you’ll find an interview with the authors about their unique collaborative process. Read more

Meghan McClure and Michael Schmeltzer