APPEARANCES
I’m an experienced speaker, teacher, and performer. I love sharing the joy and craft of writing, community building and organizing, zine making, advocating for equity in the arts, accessing creativity and your own practice, and supporting artists from marginalized communities. I’ve visited universities, non-profits, festivals, libraries, grade schools, and community centers, presenting my work to intimate audiences up to 1,500 people, in-person and online. I’m also a thoughtful moderator and conversation partner with an eye towards intersectionality and journalistic inquiry. Click here to see upcoming events.
You can book me to speak or facilitate a workshop at your organization, campus, or company. Check out my Speaking and Workshop Kit for additional talks, workshops, travel terms, and more. Have questions about my story or how we might best collaborate? Get in touch with Emilly via email.
Sample Talks and Workshops
The Whole Truth, The Half Truth, and Something Like the Truth
This craft lecture, presented by author Emilly Prado, introduces her concept of the Truth Spectrum, inviting writers to draw their own lines when the space between fiction and fact feels blurry. We’ll examine the malleability of memory, bias in record keeping, and the privilege of believability.
Finding My Way to Funeral for Flaca
Author Emilly Prado will share the evolving nature of finding her path as a writer in this talk drawing upon her experiences as a first-generation Chicana and college student, and self-proclaimed troublemaker who struggled with school and mental health. Attendees will hear a reading from Funeral for Flaca and view archival childhood photographs to better understand how 13-year-old Emilly found strength through music and writing.
Seeding the Senses & Writing in Scene
In this generative writing workshop, we’ll leverage the senses to conjure the past and mine memories to create “seeds” from which further creative work may grow. This creative nonfiction workshop is open to all levels and genres, and will invite writers to invoke memories of smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound to enrich our scene writing. Come ready to write, converse, and share—without judgement and with the special community we’ll shape during our time together.
Storytelling is incredibly important and validating. To have a local Latinx mujer visit our campus and shed light on an industry that has been historically white was truly inspiring for our community. Emilly left many folks inspired, motivated, and eager to reflect on their own story and journey.
—Emmanuel Macias, Western Oregon University
Additional Resources
“I recommend reading and collaborating with Emilly Prado as her work is a mirror that faces every reader. Diving into the topics of identity politics and belonging, we are invited to reflect on the oppression of society and cultures bestowed upon Emilly’s work and begin to bridge those connections to our own lives, giving us an opportunity to feel less alone in the aches of the world and come to a sense of compassion and understanding through these stories.”
—Karla Cordero, author of award-winning poetry collection How To Pull Apart The Earth and professor at MiraCosta College
Upcoming Events
November 2-29, 2024: Carolyn Moore Writers House residency, Tigard, OR.
Thursday, December 5, 2024: DJ at Una Noche de Bienestar, 7:00-11 pm, Holocene, Portland, OR.
December 27-29, 2024: Event producer and workshop facilitator for Creative Refresh 2024: a Retreat for BIPOC Artists presented by Portland in Color, Society Hotel, Bingen, WA. Applications are live and close 11/1.
January 2025: Winter Study faculty, “Visual Literature: An Exploration of Image and Text,” in-person, Williams College, Williamstown, MA.
Friday, February 21, 2025: Keynote speaker, “The Role of Immigration in Shaping Local Communities,” 10 AM, hosted by Lake Oswego Adult Community Center, Lake Oswego, OR.
March 26–29, 2025: AWP! Panels: “What Is and What If: The Speculative in Creative Nonfiction” with Adèle Barclay, Nicole Jones, Nisa Malli, and Alex Marzano-Lesnevich; “Fragmentos: Reclaiming Hybridity & Fragmentation Through Latine Narratives” with Ofelia Montelongo, Norma Cantu, Gloria Muñoz, and Viktoria Valenzuela (dates TBA). Los Angeles, CA. Reach out for offsite readings & DJ set inquiries!
Past Events
November 14-18, 2024: Nonfiction faculty for 2024 Autumn Workshop, hosted by Tin House, Portland, OR.
Sunday, November 3, 2024: DJ and Reading at Portland Book Festival’s Cover to Cover series presented by PCC, with Stephanie Adams-Santos and Gris Muñoz, 6-8 pm, Bunk Bar Water, Portland, OR.
Thursday, October 3, 2024: DJ at Brilla Bienestar: a Fundraising Gala for Bienestar, 5:30-9 pm, The Venetian Hillsboro, Hillsboro, OR.
Wednesday, October 2, 2024: DJ at Livelihood NW’s 2024 Small Business Celebration, 5-6:45 pm, Place to Be, Portland, OR.
Friday, September 27, 2024: DJ at ¡Prospera!: a Benefit for Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, 5:30-10 pm, Avenue Portland, Portland, OR.
Wednesday, September 25, 2024: Workshop facilitator for “Recipe for Reflection: Zine-Making Through the Lens of Food and Personal Narrative,” Instrument (for employees only), via Zoom.
Saturday, September 21, 2024: DJ at Dance Like a Mother fundraiser, 6:30-10 pm, co-hosted by Family Forward Action and The Mother PAC, Portland, OR.
Friday, September 20, 2024: DJ at Noche Bella: a Benefit for Latino Network, 5-10 pm, Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR.
Thursday, September 17, 2024: DJ at “Party in the Parking Lot” private Port of Portland employee event, Portland, OR.
Saturday, August 17, 2024: DJ for wedding ceremony & reception. Gresham, OR.
Monday, August 12, 2024: DJ at PDX Airport Housewarming, 7-9 pm, Portland International Airport, Portland, OR.
Thursday, August 8, 2024: DJ at 10 Years of SassyBlack anniversary concert with SassyBlack and special guests, 7:30 pm, Madame Lou’s, Seattle, WA.
Saturday, July 27, 2024: DJ for wedding ceremony & reception. Portland, OR.
Saturday, July 13, 2024: DJ for wedding ceremony & reception. Portland, OR.
Wednesday, July 3, 2024: Featured reader, One Page Wednesday hosted by Emme Lund, 7-9 pm, Literary Arts, Portland, OR.
June 23-25, 2024: Event producer for 2024 Conexiones Summit conference featuring panels, breakout sessions, makers market, live music, and more, hosted by Oregon Community Foundation’s Latino Partnership Program at Chinook Winds Casino.
Wednesday, June 5, 2024: DJ at 2023-24 WITS Writer & Teacher Reading, 6:30-8:30 pm, Literary Arts, Portland, OR.
Saturday, June 1, 2024: DJ at Seeding Justice’s Justice Within Reach Gala, after party from 9-11 pm, Leftbank Annex, Portland, OR.
Saturday, June 1, 2024: Zine workshop facilitator (a Brown Girl Rise fundraiser), 1-3 pm, Independent Publishing Resource Center, Portland, OR. For BIPOC—register here!
Friday, May 31, 2024: Reader at Fonograf Ed. Fundraiser with Eileen Myles, Brandon Shimoda, Dao Strom, and Neal Morgan, 7-9 pm, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, OR.
May 10 – May 24, 2024: Virginia Center for the Creative Arts residency, Amherst, VA.
Thursday, April 25, 2024: DJ at Verselandia! presented by Literary Arts, 6-10 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR.
Wednesday, April 24, 2024: Presenter at Oregon Presenter & Performer Fair, 1:30-4:30 pm, Salem Convention Center, Salem, OR.
Saturday, April 13, 2024: DJ at St. Mary’s Academy Auction, 8-10 pm, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR.
Saturday, April 13, 2024: “Contemporary Latinx Literature in the Pacific Northwest” panelist with Alma Garcia, Claudia Castro Luna, Vincent Rendoni, and Juan Carlos Reyes, 1:30-2:30 pm, Ella’s Theater at Montvale Event Center (Get Lit! Festival!), Spokane, WA.
Friday, April 12, 2024: PNW Poetry and Prose After Dark reading, 9-10:30 pm, Emma Rue’s (Get Lit! Festival!), Spokane, WA.
Friday, April 12, 2024: Live Spokane Public Radio interview with E.J. Iannelli, 11 am-12 pm, Spokane Public Library (Get Lit! Festival!), Spokane, WA.
Monday, April 8, 2024: “Finding My Way to Funeral for Flaca“ public talk and book signing at 6 pm, hosted by Respond to Racism, Lake Oswego, OR.
March 1 – March 15, 2024: Caldera Arts residency, Sisters, OR.
Friday, February 2, 2024: Funeral for Flaca reading and craft talk, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.
Friday, January 5, 2024: “Making and Remaking the Manuscript: Revision and Autonomy” craft conversation and interactive workshop co-facilitated with Megan Milks, 9 am PT, PNCA Low Residency Creative Writing MFA, Portland, OR.
Thursday, January 4, 2024: PNCA Low Residency Creative Writing MFA reading series at Nationale with Jess Ardnt, Megan Milks, and Lara Mimosa Montes, 6-8 pm, Portland, OR.
Mondays November 13 – December 18, 2023: Teaching “Essaying the Essay,” 5-7 pm pt, hosted by Literary Arts via Zoom.
Wednesday, November 1, 2023: Portland Book Festival’s Cover to Cover Reading at PCC Cascade Campus with Jose Hernandez Diaz and Jae Nichelle, hosted by Carolyn Moore Writing Residency, Portland, OR.
Saturday, October 21, 2023: DJ at Dance Like a Mother fundraiser, co-hosted by Family Forward Action and The Mother PAC, 6:30-10 pm, Holocene, Portland, OR.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023: “Carving Your Own Squiggly Path” workshop at 12 pm (for students only); “Finding My Way to Funeral for Flaca“ public talk and book signing at 6 pm, hosted by Central Oregon Community College, Bend, OR.
Thursday, October 5, 2023: “Crafting Funeral for Flaca: On DIY Publishing & The Power of Your Voice” and book signing, 4-5:30 pm, hosted by Reed College, Portland, OR.
Friday, September 29, 2023: DJ at ¡Prospera!: a Benefit for Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, 8-9:30 pm, Sentinel Hotel, Portland, OR.
Thursday, September 28, 2023: DJ at “Justice and Care” Street Books’ Fall Celebration, 5:30-7:30 pm, Portland, OR.
Wednesday, September 27, 2023: “Finding My Way to Funeral for Flaca” and book signing, 6-7:30 pm, hosted by Ledding Library, Milwaukie, OR.
Friday, September 22, 2023: DJ at Noche Bella: a Benefit for Latino Network, 5-10 pm, Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR.
Tuesday, September 19, 2023: DJ at Port of Portland’s employee event, 4-6 pm, Portland, OR.
September 9 & 10, 2023: “Memoirist as Time Traveler,” 11 am-2 pm pt, hosted by Tin House via Zoom.
September 9, 2023: Panelist on “Marketing, Publicity, & Connecting to Your Community” with Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, Christine Bollow, and May-Zhee Lim, 8:30 am-10 am pt, hosted by [margins.] conference via Zoom.
August 17-20, 2023: Nonfiction faculty for “Creative Nonfiction Foundations“, hosted by Lighthouse Writers Workshop for the Writing in Color Retreat via Zoom.
July 31 – August 14, 2023: “The Whole Truth, the Half Truth, and Something Like the Truth,” 5-7 pm pt, hosted by Corporeal Writing via Zoom.
July 17 – 31, 2023: Nonfiction fellow at Sewanee Writers’ Conference, Sewanee, TN. Craft lecture: “The Whole Truth, the Half Truth, and Something Like the Truth.”
Monday, July 10, 2022: Moderator at publishing panel in conversation with Jaquira Díaz, Kelli Jo Ford, and Jake Skeets, 3:45-4:45 pm, Tin House Summer Workshop, Reed College.
Thursday, June 15, 2023: Featured reader at “Constellation: A Reading Series,” 7-9 pm, hosted at Tin House, Portland, OR.
Thursday, June 8, 2023: DJing at Familias en Acción’s Latino Health Equity Conference, 5-6:15 pm + DJing at Abigail Hall, 8-11 pm, Portland, OR.
Friday, June 2, 2023: DJing at Seeding Justice’s Justice Within Reach Gala, 6:30-10 pm, The Loft at 8th, Portland, OR.
May 12 – May 31, 2023: Vermont Studio Center residency.
Saturday, April 29, 2023: DJing at Latino Network’s La Plaza Esperanza ground blessing ceremony, 12-3 pm, Rockwood Community Campus, 312 SE 165th Ave, Portland, OR.
Thursday, April 27, 2023: DJing at Literary Art’s Verselandia! Youth Poetry Slam, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR.
Monday, April 17, 2023: Reading and conversation with Kali Fajardo-Anstine, 3:30-5 pm, hosted by Texas State University, Flowers Hall 230, San Marcos, TX.
Thursday, April 13, 2023: Class visit to Prose Portfolio Program, IPRC, via Zoom.
Saturday, April 8, 2023: “Finding my Way to Funeral for Flaca” keynote and reading as part of the “Who We Are: Exploring Racial Justice and Identity” series, 7 PM, hosted by Beaverton Public Library, Beaverton, OR.
Thursday, April 6, 2023: Judge for Parkrose High School Slam Poetry Final. 6-8 pm. Portland, OR.
Saturday, March 25, 2023 + Sunday, March 26, 2023: “The Body of Your Book” workshop, 12-4 pm each day, hosted by Corporeal Writing, Portland, OR.
Saturday, March 18, 2023: “Designing Your Journey” panel and workshops with Ruby Joy White, 9 AM – 3 PM. Hosted by YGB Portland at IPRC, Portland, OR.
Friday, March 17, 2023: Zine workshop from 4-7 PM, for 2023 Hillsboro Reads programming, hosted by Hillsboro Public Library, Hillsboro, OR.
Wednesday, March 15, 2023: Guest lecturer from 3-5 PM. Public reading and book signing in conversation with Tina Ontiveros at 6 PM. Columbia Gorge Community College, Hood River, OR.
March 8-11, 2023: AWP! 3/9 Panel: Book Promotion by the Numbers: A Transparent Discussion of Costs and Benefits, 10:35-11:50 AM in 427-429; 3/11 Panel: Writing Between Worlds: Zine Authors in Traditional Publishing, 1:45-3:00 PM in 347-348. Books for sale at Randolph MFA booth (#208). Seattle, WA.
Sunday, March 5, 2023: Indie Author Pavilion, 10 AM to 1 PM, Tucson Festival of Books. Tucson, AZ.
Saturday, February 18, 2023: “Writing the Personal and the Public: an Exploration of Form,” adult workshop 10:30 am-12:30 pm; teen workshop 2-4 pm as part of 2023 Salem Reads programming, hosted by Salem Public Library, Salem, OR. Free.
January 1 – February 17, 2023: Sabbatical.
Saturday, December 17, 2022: Event production for Posadas event featuring makers holiday market, music, karaoke, and tasty food, 2-6 pm, hosted at the Portland Mercado.
Saturday, December 3, 2022: “Fall Craft Intensive: The Whole Truth, the Half Truth, and Something Like the Truth,” 9 am-12 pm pt, hosted by Tin House via Zoom.
Wednesday, November 2, 2022: Event production for Dia de Muertos event featuring Coco screening, vendor market, music, Juan Gabriel impersonator, movement ceremony, and tasty food, 4-8 pm, hosted at the Portland Mercado.
Saturday, October 1, 2022: Mini edition of “Finding My Way toward Funeral for Flaca” talk and “Power through Personal Reflection” workshop, 12-3 pm, hosted by Mt. Hood Unida, Welches, OR.
Wednesday, September 21, 2022: “Finding My Way toward Funeral for Flaca” talk, 5:30-6:45 pm, hosted by Willamette University.
Wednesday, September 21, 2022: “Finding My Way toward Funeral for Flaca” talk, 12:30-1:30 pm, hosted by PNCA.
Saturday, August 13, 2022: Event production for “Taste of Latin America” event featuring DJs, live music, bachata lessons, traditional Peruvian dance performances, vendor market, and tasty food from flagship and one-time vendors, 12-7 pm, hosted at the Portland Mercado.
Sunday, August 7, 2022: “Finding Your People” Panelist with Vogue M. Robinson and Steven Dunn, Moderated by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, [margins] conference, 1-2 pm, McNichols Building, 3A, Denver, CO.
Saturday, August 6, 2022: Funeral for Flaca reading, [margins] conference, 11-11:30 am, McNichols Building, 3A, Denver, CO.
August 1-4, 2022: Nonfiction Faculty at Writing in Color Retreat, Lighthouse Writers Workshop, Denver, CO.
Saturday, July 23, 2022: Author talk in conversation with Melissa Matthewson with DJ set to follow, 7-9:30 pm, hosted by Eastern Oregon University MFA for La Grande Lit Week, The Local, La Grande, OR.
Thursday, July 14, 2022: Moderating a panel in conversation with Saeed Jones and Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Tin House Summer Workshop, Reed College.
Saturday, July 9, 2022: Event production for “Summer Fest” event featuring DJs, live music, piñata history presentation + piñata making class + piñata competition, water activities, vendor market, and tasty food, 12-7 pm, hosted at the Portland Mercado.
Monday, May 2, 2022: “Everywhere You Go, There You Are” talk and “Power through Personal Reflection” workshop, 4:30-6:30 pm, hosted by Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR.
Saturday, April 16, 2022: American, Us Book Release Party co-authored by Andres Mendoza and Emilly Prado, presented by Morpheus Youth Project, 2-5 pm pt, hosted by Barrio at the Portland Mercado.
Friday, March 25, 2022: Women of Color Zinesters: DIY Culture as Counter-Storytelling, 12:20 pm pt/3:20 pm et, Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference, virutal.
Tuesday, February 8, 2022: Award Ceremony for the 2022 PNBA Book Awards, 6 pm pt / 9 pm et, hosted by the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association. Register here.
Thursday, January 27, 2022: “Carving Your Own Squiggly Path” talk and workshop, 5:15-7:00 pm, hosted by Western Oregon University via Zoom.
Wednesday, January 26, 2022: Author talk and creative writing workshop, 3-5:30 pm, hosted by Western Oregon University in-person. Free books c/o WOU for first 50 attendees.
Monday, January 24, 2022: Instagram Live with Natalie Lima about our MFA experiences + Q&A. 6 pm pt.
Thursday, December 2, 2021: Author talk in conversation with Anna Nakano-Baker via Zoom, hosted by Hillsboro Public Library. 6:30-7:30 pm pt.
Wednesday, November 24, 2021: Instagram Live with Dr. Hortencia Jimenez about body image and the intersections of Latinx identity, family, and society. 12 pm pt.
Friday, November 5, 2021: Literally Crawling reading via Crowdcast, 6 pm pt hosted by Zines + Things with Death Rattle Writers Fest. RSVP.
Wednesday, November 3, 2021: in conversation with Agueda Pacheco Flores, 7-7:45 pm pt and FREE workshop, (Re)writing Our Histories, 7:45-8:30 pm pt, hosted via Zoom by King County Library System. Limited seats, RSVP soon!
Wednesday, October 27, 2021: Frida…A Self-Portrait pre-show DJ set at Portland Center Stage. 6:30 pm. RSVP.
Sunday, October 24, 2021: book signing and reading at Portland Center Stage. 1 pm. RSVP. Frida…A Self-Portrait post-show interview with Vanessa Severo. 3:30 pm. RSVP. Use promo code FLACA for $25 tickets to see the play!
Thursday, October 21, 2021: “The 15-minute Memoir” quick writing workshop for Bitch Media 25th Anniversary fundraiser
Thursday, October 14, 2021: conversation with Scott Korb, Q&A, and writing workshop hosted in-person at Pacific University.
Wednesday, October 13, 2021: “Memoir as Alchemy: Making art out of personal stories: A panel discussion” hosted in-person at Corporeal Writing with Lilly Dancyger, Lois Ruskai Melina, and Lidia Yuknavitch. 6:30 pm. RSVP.
Thursday, October 7, 2021: reading & conversation hosted via Instagram Live by LibroMobile. 6 pm pt. RSVP.
Tuesday, October 5, 2021: reading, mini creative writing workshop, and Q&A hosted via Zoom by Mt. Hood Community College.
September 2021: 12 stops in 6 states for the Funeral for Flaca Western U.S. book tour
Wednesday, July 21, 2021: Funeral for Flaca virtual book tour stop. Hosted by Third Place Books (Seattle) via Zoom. In conversation with Ifrah F. Ahmed. 7 pm. RSVP.
Saturday, July 17, 2021: Future Tense Books’ Summer Park Reading Series at Irving Park ft. Funeral for Flaca and writers Margaret Malone and Michelle Ruiz Keil. 7 pm. RSVP.
Friday, July 16, 2021: Official Funeral for Flaca online launch party. Hosted by Literary Arts via Zoom. In conversation with Celeste Noche. 6 pm. RSVP.
Thursday, July 8, 2021: Official Funeral for Flaca in-person launch party. Hosted by Tropicale. With DJ Black Daria. 6 pm. RSVP.
Wednesday, June 16, 2021: Paperback pre-order pick up party. Hosted by Barrio at the Portland Mercado. With DJ La Cósmica. 5 pm.
Past clients and collaborators include Colorado State University – Pueblo, Eastern Oregon University, Latina/o/x Book Festival, Lighthouse Writers Workshop, Literary Arts, [margins.], MiraCosta College, Mt. Hood Community College, PDX Pop Now!, Pacific University, Portland Book Festival, Portland Center Stage, Portland Public Schools, Tin House, Warner Pacific University, Western Oregon University, numerous public libraries, and more.