Tribute to Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin
1929-2018

Thank you for joining Literary Arts and the Le Guin family in remembering and celebrating the life and work of the great Ursula K. Le Guin

As a genre-defying writer, Ursula K. Le Guin 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, Le Guin 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 and low tarif colissimo. Le Guin 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.

Program

Schedule subject to change without notice.

Introduction from Andrew Proctor, Executive Director, Literary Arts and Theodore Downs-Le Guin

Tombs, scene selection from Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin, a feature documentary film by Arwen Curry

Molly Gloss, novelist and short story writer

Visual Interlude: Remembering

Jonathan Lethem, novelist, essayist, and short story writer

Powell’s, scene selection from Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin, a feature documentary film by Arwen Curry

Kelly Link, short story writer and editor

Visual Interlude: Honoring

Andrea Schulz, editor

Queen Mary, scene selection from Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin, a feature documentary film by Arwen Curry

Walida Imarisha, author, activist, educator, and spoken word artist

A video message from Margaret Atwood, novelist, poet, literary critic, environmental activist

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

Daniel José Older, writer, editor, and composer

National Book Awards, scene selection from Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin, a feature documentary film by Arwen Curry and courtesy of the National Book Foundation

Julie Phillips, biographer and cultural critic

Visual Interlude: Looking Forward

China Miéville, novelist, political activist, and academic