W.o.o.t.s.

At WITS, we are always on the lookout for opportunities for our student writers to share their work beyond the classroom. We believe that high school students have something important to say and we encourage them to believe that their ideas matter. One organization that shares our belief in the importance of student writing is [...]

Here at W.o.o.t.s, we are always on the lookout for opportunities that will inspire and inform young writers in our community. That’s why we are excited about Powell’s Smallpressapalooza happening next Monday, March 28th from 6 to 10 pm at the Powell’s on Burnside (1005 West Burnside, Portland). Not only can you hear from an [...]

What does providing tickets and transportation to nearly 1,000 students to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall look like? Well, this was a calm moment… On last Monday night, eight buses were lining the streets around the Schnitz for our event with Wes Moore, the author of this year’s Multnomah Country Library “Everybody Reads” selection, The [...]

Kidder’s gift for crafting nonfiction narrative shone during his lecture at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, as he told the story of his writing life through the idiosyncrasies of his relationship with his editor, Richard Todd. After the show, WITS director Mary Rechner talked with Franklin students Simon and Kiah. Franklin students talk about Tracy [...]

Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning author Tracy Kidder’s demeanor is conversational, funny and at times self-deprecating, but this only adds to his warmth. This openness made Kidder’s question-and-answer session at Marshall especially effective. The students came prepared with questions and weren’t shy to raise their hands and speak to Kidder. In class they had [...]