Publishing in Portland (Hillsboro, Green: rent, hotel, houses)

[Periphrasis]

I'm considering moving out of Brooklyn to the Pacific Northwest, and after doing some research, I think Portland would be a good fit. I'm just worried about the job market...I work in publishing, and I would want to secure a job before a big move like this. Does anyone know what the publishing marketplace is like in Portland? Also, what the literary culture is like there? I think that even though it would be possible to move there with no job lined up, that would be a very unwise decision.
Thanks for the help!

[EnricoV]

Portland is a huge book town. At least from the reading/selling perspective. I know there are a number of small-pressses in town, but I have no idea of job market.

Some links to (possibly) help are:

Powells Books Powell's Books - Used, New, and Out of Print

Wordstock Wordstockfestival.com :: Home Page

[nancy thereader]

I think that even though it would be possible to move there with no job lined up, that would be a very unwise decision.

Well, unless you are independently wealthy, I think you are correct. Why don't you try to locate a job before you make the move? I would imagine that publishing in any
venue is a tough business to break into without having local contacts . What exactly do you do in publishing ?
(I teach in Park Slope btw) .

[Periphrasis]

Thanks for the links Enrico.

I work in editorial at a university press, and while it's not so important for me to stay in academic, I want to do something in editorial...whether that ends up being with a publishing house, or something else, I'm not sure. But I definitely am going to start networking here in New York, and asking around for contacts out west, and applying to jobs out there.

[minimumwage]

There was some sort of independent media publishing resource center in Portland until about a year ago, I think they relocated to someplace like Minnesota because the rent got too high here.

Lots of publishing going on around here.

[Leisesturm]

I have it on hearsay that the publishing center is in Hillsboro. I think having local contacts is certainly a good thing if one can swing it but I am not going to fall into the trap of the "I can't move unless I have a job there" Catch-22. If you think about it from a Portland employers POV, a job candidate in Brooklyn, NY may as well be located in Paris, France as far as "getting a good look" is concerned. Employers are more worried about 'fit' than in raw aptitude these days. Interviews, thats correct, plural, focus on getting the person who will be the team player who gets on well with the office culture. Time was when they might pay your airfare and hotel to come out and spend a week but those days are gone. You may just have to risk it all and jump blind. I am certain there are job recruiters and temporary personnel offices that will work with you to get you placed once you arrive. Good luck.

H

[GB1]

Originally Posted by Periphrasis

Does anyone know what the publishing marketplace is like in Portland?

There's not much. A few indie presses that operate on shoestrings (a couple of which have shut down or relo'd in the last year or so), and a few academic/technical presses.

Originally Posted by Periphrasis

Also, what the literary culture is like there?

Lots of readers; I'm sure you know about Powell's.

Working writers? A different story.

Name three working writers from Portland off the top of your head and you get a cookie. (Actually, I don't have any cookies. I'm not worried.)

Seriously, there's Chuck Palahniuk (now moved to Washington state), Katherine Dunn (last published a novel in the 1980s, though it was a damn good one), and Whitney Otto (off the radar since "American Quilt," which was also in the 1980s). The younger folk are making a fuss over Miranda July, but she hasn't really caught fire.

Beyond that, there are a good number of hobbyists...check Willamette Writers for more information.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Most of the local publishing houses are very limited in scope. Several publish only dark type stuff. (My wife is a writer and I asked her).

[oldtintype]

I can't believe you left out Ursula Le Guin! And there are others!

[cyberdelicat]

Originally Posted by Periphrasis

I'm considering moving out of Brooklyn to the Pacific Northwest, and after doing some research, I think Portland would be a good fit. I'm just worried about the job market...I work in publishing, and I would want to secure a job before a big move like this. Does anyone know what the publishing marketplace is like in Portland? Also, what the literary culture is like there? I think that even though it would be possible to move there with no job lined up, that would be a very unwise decision.
Thanks for the help!

Don't do it... for your own sake, please!! Are you a native New Yorker? I am and I did the same thing nearly 2 years ago. Big mistake!! Don't believe the hype in the Times or from any Portlanders! They'll sell you the Brooklyn Bridge too. Here's why:
1-For the sake of your publishing career, you might as well retire if you come here. There is NO literary culture in Portland... yes there's a big book store. But culturally... well let's just say that unless it has to do with the environment, people here are clueless and choose to remain so.
2- People here are unfriendly and cold. Not like New York, where you get to know everyone at the local Bodega etc...
3- There's no actual 'user-friendly' mass transit system, so EVERYONE drives just about everywhere (unless you're a recent college grad ~24 yrs old, then you'll love it here).