Reading: Pacific University MFA Authors

BOLD is thrilled to host a reading featuring authors from the Pacific University MFA community.

Graduates from Pacific University's MFA in Writing program will read from their works in fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Following the readings, audience members should feel free to ask questions about writing craft.

Dan Berne is a Portland-based author whose debut novel The Gods of Second Chances garnered strong press reviews and was a Powell’s Books Top 5 Staff Choice. Dan has taught writing workshops in Portland and Collioure, France. His writing is inspired by the impact of landscape - in its broadest meaning - on his characters. His novel-in-progress Rimrock is now in the hands of his development editor.

Jan Priddy’s writing has earned an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship, Arts & Letters fellowship, Pushcart nomination, and has appeared in numerous publications including Brevity, CALYX Journal, Catamaran Literary Review, The Humanist, Liminal Stories, North American Review, and anthologies on race and running. An MFA graduate from Pacific University, her novel, “All the Daughters Sing” finds hope in the world after [most] everyone dies. She blogs at IMPERFECT PATIENCE.

Steve Grover is a recovering economist living in Oregon where he writes short fiction. When not at his desk, he can often be found fly fishing or playing the fiddle (rarely at the same time). Steve has an MFA in Fiction from Pacific University and a PhD in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2025, he also attended the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. His story “Bread for the World” appeared in After Dinner Conversation, and his story “The Bear” was a semi-finalist for the 2025 American Short Fiction Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize.

Brennan Lucas Staffieri is a non-binary poet born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. They completed their MFA in creative writing with Pacific University. They are a former intern with CALYX, where they were in charge of developing queer workshops and programing for the press. Their work has appeared in Love is For All of Us, We the Soil Magazine, Oddball Magazine, and on Portland stages. They live in Portland with their wife, their partner, and their pets.

Rita Tiwari is a poet and fiction writer. Her poems appear in Portland Review, CALYX, Whale Road Review, and others. Her writing is inspired by urban landscapes, film noir, and mythology. She holds a Master of Arts in Writing from Portland State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Pacific University. When she is not writing, Rita enjoys exploring the Pacific coast and discovering hidden treasures near her home in Portland, Oregon.

JoAnne Tillemans grew up in a scattering of prairie towns in the Upper Midwest. Her work has appeared in Chicago Quarterly Review, Mid-American Review, Hayden's Ferry Review, CALYX, San Pedro River Review, and other journals. Her lyrical essay "I had almost left," was nominated for a Pushcart Prize by Anhinga Press. Her poetry book, Broken Light was chosen as a semi-finalist selection for The Journal / Charles B. Wheeler Poetry Prize in 2024. JoAnne has an MFA from Pacific University in Poetry, a master's degree from Stanford and a Master's Certificate in Birding from the California Academy of Sciences. She has been a modern dancer in New York City and a banker in London.

Dr. Philippa Ribbink is a Portland,-based gynecologist. She co-authored Footsteps to Healing: A Global Commitment to Improving Women's Health in Rural Ethiopia.

Mary Salisbury’s poetry has been published in Michigan Quarterly Review, North Dakota Quarterly, and other journals. She recently received Honorable Mention in the 2025 Grayson Books Poetry Contest. Mary is the author of the chapbooks Come What May and Scarlet Rain Boots, both published by Finishing Line Press. Her latest book of poetry, “Call the Stars by Name” is just out from MoonPath Press.

Arrive at 6:00 p.m. to grab a snack or drink. The event will start at 6:30 p.m.

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Event cohosted by BOLD Coffee & Books and Indigo: Editing, Design, and More.