Willamette Writers offers its members a number of benefits. Willamette Writers’ goal is to provide and encourage a creative environment and support system for current and aspiring writers. Both published and aspiring writers are invited to join.

• Monthly meetings with great speakers!
• Monthly workshops from some of the best local instructors and writers.
• The Willamette Writer monthly newsletter.
• Discounted rates for the annual Willamette Writers Conference.
• Opportunities to network with fellow writers.
• Volunteer opportunities.
• Posting of your website, books and news.
• Referral services for critique groups and freelance professionals, and other learning and networking opportunities.
• A forum and email lists for posting news about book signings, critique groups, and book publishing news.

Awards

We also encourage writing excellence through our various awards and scholarships programs.

• The Kay Snow Writing Contest, established in 1973, was named for our founder. The contest now has entries from across the nation, and includes both adult and young writers.
• The Willamette Writers / Barnes & Noble Kate Herzog Scholarship writing awards are open to students in grades 12 – 14. There are four scholarships and one $500 scholarship presented each year. Kate Herzog was also a founding member of the organization.
• The C. Whitcomb Conference Scholarship provides an opportunity for students and teachers to attend the Willamette Writers Conference for free.
• The FiLMLaB Script to Screen Competition offers an exciting opportunity for screenwriters to have their script made into a movie!

The following Annual Awards are decided on by the Willamette Writers Board and are awarded during the Gala Awards Banquet during the Willamette Writers Conference:

• The Distinguished Northwest Writer Award (est. 1988) recognizes noteworthy NW authors with exceptional literary writing.
• The Up and Coming Award (est. 2014) recognizes emerging writers who, in their initial work, have already demonstrated mastery in their craft.
• The Lifetime Achievement Award (est. 1989) goes to honor a writer or person in the publishing industry who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in his or her work during a lifetime.
• The Humanitarian Award (est. 1996) honors a person or organization in the writing field or publishing industry who has demonstrated exceptional philanthropy in his or her field of work.