Brianna Wheeler is a Portland based author, journalist, podcaster, and columnist whose debut memoir “Altogether Different,” is an Eric Hoffer award nominated, groundbreaking hybrid work of historical non fiction and illustrated memoir. Brianna is the cannabis columnist for Portland’s long running news weekly, Willamette Week, as well as the host of their weekly news podcast, “The Dive.” Brianna is a contributor to Green Entrepreneur, Weedmaps, NewsBreak, Cannabis Culture, CBD Oracle, Savvyherb, NW Kids, Travel Oregon and Portland City Cast’s daily news podcast. She has appeared on Portland’s  Katu news for her cannabis reporting, and been featured in Medium’s Human Parts Journal, as well as the literary journals Nasiona and Midnight and Indigo.

Brianna is available for talks, panels, keynotes, and workshops as well as bookstore signing events throughout 2024-2025.

Keynotes and Talks 

Each of these talks are created for 45 to 60-minute time frames, however, all can be customized in scope and length to best fit the event and audience.

Crafting Altogether Different

In this talk, Author Brianna Wheeler describes the process of creating her memoir, “Altogether DIfferent,” from its first incarnation as a personal essay, to its final published form as an illustrated, historical non fiction, memoir hybrid. Brianna will describe how community shaped this specific work, and the importance of intergenerational, intercultural collaboration at each level. Attendees will also view a 6 minute film made by the Author titled “How to Write A Book,” hear a reading from “Altogether Different,” and engage in a short question and answer session.

Time’s Not Real: On Braiding the Intergenerational Narratives of Altogether Different:

In this talk, Brianna will break down her approach to interweaving memoir with historical non fiction, specifically in regards to organizing her grandmother’s ancestry and genealogy research, finding the contemporary reflections therein, and navigating grief for both present and past ancestors. Attendees will view a 6 minute film made by the Author titled “How to Write A Book,” hear a reading from “Altogether Different,” and engage in a short question and answer session.

Making (More) Room for Cannabis in the Literary Arts

To further normalize cannabis in professional spaces, Brianna will deconstruct how and why cannabis has been integral to her creative and professional processes, as well as how contemporary literature’s boozy male archetype has inspired the author’s transparency regarding writing about cannabis use, both therapeutically and creatively. Attendees will also hear a reading from “Altogether Different,”and engage in a short question and answer session.

In Conversation

An interviewer, selected by the hosting organization, leads a conversation with the author about her writing journey, “Altogether Different,” and other relevant topics. This program includes a reading and an audience Q&A.

Additional Speaking Topics:

  • Cannabis and Cannabis Culture
  • Autism Parenting
  • American Multiracial Experience
  • Black History

Generative Writing Workshops

These workshops are best suited for 45 to 120-minute time frames but can be customized to suit your needs. 

Writing Through Grief

The path to “Altogether Different,” began with committed journaling. This generative, creating writing workshop draws on that experience to encourage attendees to explore their grief on the page, transmuting emotions into not only tangible pieces of art that can be externalized and examined through a new lens, but also a practice of journaling through difficult and painful, but ultimately unavoidable, life processes.  

Cannabis and Writing

In this workshop, writers of all levels are encouraged to indulge in their favorite cannabis before exploring how the herb affects their creativity with three – five interactive and solo writing exercises that can then be shared amongst the group. No consumption will be involved during the workshop (unless organized by the host).