Our Mission:
As a non-profit educational organization, Willamette Writers is committed to helping writers connect with their communities, develop their craft, and expand their careers.
Who we are
Willamette Writers is the largest writers organization in the Pacific Northwest, reaching over 6,000 writers. Writers of all genres and at all stages of their careers come to our meetings, annual conference, and workshops to connect with their community, develop their craft, and advance their career.
Across the state of Oregon, Southwest Washington, and online, you will find a tightly knit community of over writers who love working together to tell our stories and build our scenes: on paper, on the screen, and in front of the mic.
Need help writing a novel or short story, memoir or screenplay? Sharing expertise? Meeting other writers? Join us today. Be a Willamette Writer.
Our History
Founder Kay Snow, who had active Multiple Sclerosis when she founded the “Willamette Writers Club” in 1965, called upon her love of writing and help from her friends Leila Hasmann and Kate Herzog.
They served as president, membership chair and bookkeeper during the early years as the club became an incorporated non-profit.
By the time the organization grew to holding member meetings at the Imperial Hotel in downtown Portland (on the first Tuesday of every month – the same schedule the Portland meetings follow to this day), Kay Snow was confined to a wheelchair. However, she remained vitally involved until her death in 1976, also helping to establish the popular Willamette Writers Conference. Her friend, co-founder, and active member Kate Herzog died in 2010.
Since those early days with Kay Snow, Willamette Writers has provided meeting places for the exchange of ideas and information, and has initiated programs designed to help writers find their community, develop their craft, and expand their careers.
We look forward to many more years serving the writing community.
Become a Willamette Writer
Join us today to take advantage of member benefits, support your writing community, and meet our 1300 members.
Support Willamette Writers
From sponsorships to cash to in-kind donations, our community makes our work possible. Support us today!
Learn about Willamette Writers
We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in eduction. EIN: 93-0758252. Click below to find our bylaws, minutes and more.
Photos on this page provided by Phoenix Bourgeois, Curtis C. Chen, Tracy Hoagland, Gail Pasternack, and Kate Ristau.