PENDLETON — Pendleton Center for the Arts welcomes Willy Vlautin for the First Draft Writers’ Series on Thursday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. at the center, 214 N. Main St.

The audience is welcome to join at the center, or via Zoom — get the link at https://pendletonarts.org/first-draft.

About the author

Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, Vlautin is the author of six novels and the founder of the bands Richmond Fontaine and The Delines.

He started writing stories and songs at the age of 11 after receiving his first guitar. He’s been inspired by songwriters and novelists like Paul Kelly, Willie Nelson, Tom Waits, William Kennedy, Barry Gifford and John Steinbeck.

Vlautin has received three Oregon Book Awards and The Nevada Silver Pen Award, and was inducted into the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame and the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. He was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award and was shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award. Two of his novels, “The Motel Life” and “Lean on Pete,” have been adapted as films. His novels have been translated into 11 languages.

Vlautin teaches at Pacific University’s MFA in Writing program. He lives near Portland with his wife, dog, cats and horses.

Open Mic

Writers are welcome to sign up for the open mic session that follows the featured author’s talk. This part of the evening is open to professional writers, emerging literary artists and amateurs who would like to share an original 3- to 5-minute piece for the audience.

Up to 10 people can sign up each month to share their work. For details, visit pendletonarts.org.

Thursday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.

Pendleton Center for the Arts

214 N. Main St., Pendleton

pendletonarts.org