'Space to dream': Ursula K. Le Guin's longtime Portland home to welcome aspiring writers

The family of late author Ursula K. Le Guin plans to donate their Portland home, where the author lived and wrote beginning in the 1960s, to the nonprofit Literary Arts for a residency program. It will house a new generation of aspiring writers.
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[@goodfoottoo]

What an amazing idea! She was such a gifted writer and I’ve always loved the fact that she and I were in the same city. She is an Oregon treasure.

[@OctopusOwl]

This a beautiful program Literary Arts is doing. Thank you to The LeGuin family for fostering a space for artists of the word to thrive.

[@feuilletoniste]

What a fitting gift to honor the life and work of an incredible author and a wonderful human being.

[@kevindodd8830]

In my youth, I read her original Earthsea trilogy, and loved it. Her family has honored her activism, in offering her home to aid aspiring writers. That's so cool. Thank you.

[@The-Portland-Daily-Blink]

I grew up on Thurman Street too, in the early 1970s. Great area to grow up. I also have a signed copy of "Blue Moon Over Thurman Street" which I cherish... My entire childhood was encased in that area. So many wonderful memories of what we called "The Flats" of NW. It's great that her old house is going to become a writers' residency, but those writers who go there, will likely be the friends of the people who make those choices. That is always how it tends to work out. I've done research into writers' residencies and have applied for two, but was turned down, as I knew I would be. Much like publishing companies in Portland, the publishers tend to publish their friends and no one else. And so it goes... LOL...

[@Talentedtadpole]

It would be so fitting if they found a way to ensure marginal writers got the chance.

[@agl5132]

As a writer myself this sparks such joy. ❤

[@grmmjhnsn2]

What a beautiful tribute!

[@deejaydubla]

I knew she was from Portland, but I had no idea she lived on NW Thurman. I probably walked past that house hundreds of times on my way to Forest Park.

[@AndreaCrisp]

Same. And she was a favorite of mine. I even lived on NW Raleigh for brief time.

[@isarose3136]

Oh that's so wonderful!! That would be incredibly inspiring to any writer!!

[@princessthyemis]

I really deeply regret not sending her a fan letter/letter of appreciation when she was alive 😭😭😭😭

[@silentobserver888]

I will pilgrimage here like I did for the louvre in Paris for the old masters painting. Ursula was a master of her craft in writing and as a fantasy writer I will pay my homage to her legacy and her impact on my life!

[@gal2463]

I love this story. Where I write is everything. It inspires me ❤

[@forcelightningcable9639]

She wasn’t just an activist, she was an anarchist whose work criticizes the entire bourgeois economy that keeps this news station’s owners wealthy, and their audience poor.

[@princessthyemis]

This sounds amazing!!!!!!!! I love knowing more about one of my favorite authors, too! What a fantastic idea!!!!

[@druidsongevergreens]

I love this ❤

[@isarose3136]

How cool is that!? What an amazing woman!

[@shethewriter]

Oh gosh that residency sounds perfect

[@yaelWolfebaz]

Incredible author

[@basicallyno1722]

This is so amazing!

[@princepeterwolf]

Beautiful house!

[@TatianaBoshenka]

Where is Pard going to live? Does he go along with the house? And what about Charles?

[@Azazel2024]

Wow privilege and little clubs are so Portland

[@basicallyno1722]

What’s a privilege and little club in this scenario? The family could’ve sold the home and made a good chunk of money. Instead they’re doing their bit to help aspiring writers, including giving them a stipend. THAT sort of privilege? Should it instead be a halfway house?

[@MrBearcatjew]

@@basicallyno1722 maybe a scenario where a family with kids that are working class can live there.

[@feuilletoniste]

@@MrBearcatjewIf the people who are superintending the fellowship program are in any way attuned to Ursula Le Guin’s legacy, they’ll do what they can to ensure that the opportunities go to people who have a gift but not the time or money to nurture it. This could be life-changing for someone who has great abilities but who hasn’t had the privilege of moving in literary circles (whatever those are these days) or taking time away from the daily slog to get their ideas down on paper. If they get a break, they could go on to help and inspire others in their turn in years to come. Housing a family isn’t the only way to give back to the community.

[@nschul4]

Exactly. A great opportunity to do more gatekeeping, the Portland dream.

[@nschul4]

@@SourGravity Good thing you don't want in our club because we're going to gatekeep you out of it. It's the Portland way!