Tribute to Ursula K. Le Guin, 1929-2018

In collaboration with the Le Guin family, Literary Arts hosted a tribute to Ursula K. Le Guin on June 13, 2018 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon. The live event was sold out, and viewed by her fans around the world via a livestream.

The event featured tributes from writers and friends who represent the wide-ranging influence Le Guin has had on international literature for more than 50 years, including Margaret Atwood (by video), Molly Gloss, Walidah Imarisha, Jonathan Lethem, Kelly Link, China Miéville, Daniel José Older, Andrea Schulz (Le Guin's editor at Viking Books) and Julie Phillips (Le Guin's biographer). The tribute includes selected scenes from Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin, a feature documentary film by Arwen Curry, along with photos and images from her life and work. The event also featured a recording of Child on the Shore, by Ursula K. Le Guin and Alexander Skripko, the song-cycle ‘Lockerbones/Airbones’ by Elinor Armer and Ursula K. Le Guin is published by Subito Music Corporation, presented here with their permission. Performer credits: Wendy Hillhouse, mezzo-soprano; Esther Landau, flute; Rira Watanabe, violin; Keisuke Nakagoshi, piano; Erica Johnson, percussion; Swineshead Recording Studio, Berkeley

Used by permission of Curtis Brown, Ltd. Copyright 1981, 2012. All Rights reserved.


For the past 50 years, Ursula K. Le Guin’s science fiction and fantasy books offered hope and inspiration to readers and writers everywhere. Join Literary Arts and the Le Guin family as we celebrate the life of Ursula during this public tribute. Featured speakers, including writers and friends, will offer reflections and tributes honoring Ursula’s influence and legacy.

As a genre-defying writer, Ursula authored more than 50 works, including novels, poetry collections, and children’s books that explore issues of race, gender, and environmentalism. Her books have been translated into more than 40 languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. Her many honors include the Hugo, Nebula, National Book Award, and PEN-Malamud. In 2014, she was awarded the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

While her speculative fiction urged readers to explore new worlds and distant futures, Ursula was an active guardian of her writing community and her home state of Oregon. She was an ardent supporter for writers and independent publishers and actively used her platform to defend free speech. Ursula was involved with Literary Arts for 31 years, as a participant, trusted advisor, and ardent supporter. Her dedication helped shape our programs that serve more than 20,000 readers and writers each year.

Thank you to our event sponsors James F and Marion L Miller Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, The Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Arts Commission, Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, Harper Perennial, University of Oregon, and Curtis Brown, Ltd, and Simon & Schuster.