Category: WilWrite26 Schedule

10:30 – 11:30AM Friday Windsor C: Invite-Only: Timberline Review Writers Workshop
Invite-Only: Our Timberline Authors are invited to join us for a worksop to prep their pieces for tonight’s reading. This performance workshop will be facilitated by author and poet Emmett Wheatfall.

Faculty
- Emmett Wheatfall
  Emmett Wheatfall is an American poet, Oregon Poet Laureate nominee, and recipient of the prestigious Oregon Poetry Association Patricia Ruth Banta Award. His poetry has been published in several books, collections, anthologies, and one of them, As Clean as a Bone, was a 2019 Eric Hoffer Award Finalist and a da Vinci Eye award finalist.… Read more: Emmett Wheatfall
February 25, 2026
10:30AM – 4:30PM Friday Windsor B: Master Class: Fluency in Multi-Layered Story Analysis for Revision
Award-winning writer Eric Witchey leads this 5-hour Master Class on analysis and revision. Writing a saleable story is predominantly a revision process. The most important skills are all related to deciding what to revise and, often more importantly, what not to revise. This Master Class explores specific, immediately executable techniques for deconstructing a manuscript, isolating undefined issues, defining them, and selecting a course of action to resolve them. The patterns and skills presented are useful to all levels of writers and are applicable across genres for flash fiction, short stories, novelettes, novellas, and novels.

Attendance is limited.

Attendance is limited and additional registration is required to attend this Master Class.

Register for Master Class

Faculty
- Eric Witchey
  Eric Witchey has sold stories under several names and in 14 genres. His tales have been translated into multiple languages, and his credits include over 170 stories, including 5 novels and two collections. His work has received recognition from New Century Writers, Writers of the Future, Writer’s Digest, Independent Publisher Book Awards, International Book Awards,… Read more: Eric Witchey
February 25, 2026
10:30 – 11:30AM Friday Belmont A/B: Writing and Publishing Life
Sit down with published authors as we share honest insights about building a sustainable, fulfilling writing life. We’ll talk about career paths, publishing realities, and ways to protect your creativity and joy. Whether you seek publication or a richer personal practice, you’ll leave with practical ideas and encouragement for the next steps in your writing or publishing life.

Faculty
- Brian W. Parker
  Brian grew up in Alaska, then Mississippi, and has always been in love with storytelling in every medium. He earned a BFA in graphic design & illustration and an MA in writing & publishing. He’s an adjunct professor of children’s publishing at Portland State University. He is the co-owner and creative director of Believe In… Read more: Brian W. Parker
- Dana Haynes
  Dana Haynes is the author of 14 mystery and thriller novels from such publishers as Minotaur Books, St. Martin’s Press, MacMillan Publishing, Blackstone Publishing and Bantam Publishing. Under the pen name James Byrne, he has written four thrillers featuring Dez Limerick for Minotaur Books, including 2026’s STORM WARNING and CHAIN REACTION, nominated for best series… Read more: Dana Haynes
- LeFoster Williams
  LeFoster Williams is a Portland-based author, actor, and transformational speaker whose work blends raw storytelling, personal truth, and practical strategy. He is the author of The Magical Escape (2023) and Bloodlines & Shadows (2025), with his upcoming self‑development book arriving in 2026. As a speaker, LeFoster teaches creatives and entrepreneurs how to own their story,… Read more: LeFoster Williams
- Melissa Hart
  Melissa Hart is the author of several nonfiction books and novels; her latest is Find Your Nature: 40 Ways to Deepen the Connection to Your Flora, Fauna & Community. Her short-form writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Smithsonian, CNN, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Nat Geo Kids, Orion, and numerous… Read more: Melissa Hart
February 24, 2026
10 – 10:30AM Friday All: Break

There’s so much we’re excited for you to see and do this weekend, but don’t forget to pace yourself. Take a break with a few new friends before you dive deeper into the publishing and writing life.

February 24, 2026
9 -10AM Friday Zoom: Quiet Writing

Anytime you need to step back from the virtual conference and get some words written – we’ve got you covered! Our quiet writing zoom room is open for you during workshop hours.

February 24, 2026
Test Schedule Block Post
- 8 – 9AM Friday Belmont Foyer: Badge Pickup
  You’ve arrived, and we’re so excited to see you! Pick up your badge and folder and let’s get the fun rolling. Don’t miss out on a cup of coffee and a light breakfast! This will… Read more: 8 – 9AM Friday Belmont Foyer: Badge Pickup
- 9AM – 2PM Friday Belmont C: In-Person Pitching
  Registered for a pitch or critique with an in-person professional in conference registration this year? Join us at your scheduled time to meet with your industry professional. Scheduling info is sent our via email to… Read more: 9AM – 2PM Friday Belmont C: In-Person Pitching
- 9 – 10AM Friday Belmont A/B: Opening Poem and Welcome
  Let the 56th Annual Willamette Writers Conference begin! Opening poet Christopher Diaz will take the mic to draw us into a weekend of writing, creating, and learning together. Bring your notebook and find your seat.… Read more: 9 – 10AM Friday Belmont A/B: Opening Poem and Welcome
- 9 – 10AM Friday Windsor A: Quiet Writing
  Need a moment to yourself? Sit down before the conference carries you away with an hour of quiet writing.
- 9 -10AM Friday Zoom: Quiet Writing
  Anytime you need to step back from the virtual conference and get some words written – we’ve got you covered! Our quiet writing zoom room is open for you during workshop hours.
- 10 – 10:30AM Friday All: Break
  There’s so much we’re excited for you to see and do this weekend, but don’t forget to pace yourself. Take a break with a few new friends before you dive deeper into the publishing and… Read more: 10 – 10:30AM Friday All: Break
- 10:30 – 11:30AM Friday Belmont A/B: Writing and Publishing Life
  Sit down with published authors as we share honest insights about building a sustainable, fulfilling writing life. We’ll talk about career paths, publishing realities, and ways to protect your creativity and joy. Whether you seek… Read more: 10:30 – 11:30AM Friday Belmont A/B: Writing and Publishing Life
- 10:30AM – 4:30PM Friday Windsor B: Master Class: Fluency in Multi-Layered Story Analysis for Revision
  Award-winning writer Eric Witchey leads this 5-hour Master Class on analysis and revision. Writing a saleable story is predominantly a revision process. The most important skills are all related to deciding what to revise and,… Read more: 10:30AM – 4:30PM Friday Windsor B: Master Class: Fluency in Multi-Layered Story Analysis for Revision
- 10:30 – 11:30AM Friday Windsor C: Invite-Only: Timberline Review Writers Workshop
  Invite-Only: Our Timberline Authors are invited to join us for a worksop to prep their pieces for tonight’s reading. This performance workshop will be facilitated by author and poet Emmett Wheatfall. Faculty
- 10:30 – 11:30AM Friday Zoom: Traditional Publishing vs. Independent Publishing
  The desire to be published is more prevalent than ever. A record-breaking number of CEOs, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and aspiring writers from all walks of life dream about becoming published authors but are stumped about… Read more: 10:30 – 11:30AM Friday Zoom: Traditional Publishing vs. Independent Publishing
- 11:30AM – 12:30PM Friday Belmont Foyer: Lunch
  It’s time for lunch! Pre-purchased box lunches are availble in the foyer. Pick up your lunch and join a new colleague or old friend for lunch.
- 12:30 – 2:30PM Friday Belmont A/B: First Page Critique Sponsored by Scrivener
  Does your opening hook your readers? Bring 5 copies of your first page and find out. Published authors and industry professionals will sit down with you to critique your work and help you learn what… Read more: 12:30 – 2:30PM Friday Belmont A/B: First Page Critique Sponsored by Scrivener
- 12:30 – 2:30PM Friday Windsor A: Generative Writing with Write Around Portland
  Join Write Around Portland for Word Play — a creative writing frenzy rooted in respect and community. Through timed freewrites inspired by open-ended prompts and activities that will invigorate your creative writing practice, Word Play… Read more: 12:30 – 2:30PM Friday Windsor A: Generative Writing with Write Around Portland
- 12:30 – 2:30PM Friday Windsor C: Beta Reader Connections
  Struggling to find a beta reader for your work? You’re not alone! Come by Windsor C to connect with your fellow writers. We’ll discuss best practices and work on connecting you to other writers interested… Read more: 12:30 – 2:30PM Friday Windsor C: Beta Reader Connections
- 12:30 – 2:30PM Friday Zoom: First Page Critique Sponsored by Scrivener
  Does your opening hook your readers? Bring your first page and find out. Published authors and industry professionals will sit down with you to critique your work and help you learn what makes a first… Read more: 12:30 – 2:30PM Friday Zoom: First Page Critique Sponsored by Scrivener
- 2:30 – 3PM Friday Belmont A/B & Zoom: Break
  Break time! Get a good stretch and say hello to some fellow writers by the book table. So many new novels, poems, and stories to read and enjoy.
- 3 – 4PM Friday Belmont A/B: Genre Connections
  If you’ve been looking to connect with professionals and fellow colleagues in your writing and publishing life, join us for genre connections. You’ll sit down with writers, authors and poets to talk about the work,… Read more: 3 – 4PM Friday Belmont A/B: Genre Connections
- 3 – 4:30PM Friday Windsor A: Ekphrastic Poetry
  The cross-disciplinary mode of “ekphrastic writing” has historically been defined as descriptive writing influenced by the visual arts. Ekphrastic writing is writing in response to what you see — from portraits to pottery. In this… Read more: 3 – 4:30PM Friday Windsor A: Ekphrastic Poetry
- 3 – 4:30PM Friday Windsor C: Your First Conference
  Is this your first time joining us or your first writing conference? We’re here to answer any questions you may have and help you make the most out of your first conference. Join us to… Read more: 3 – 4:30PM Friday Windsor C: Your First Conference
- 3 – 4:30PM Friday Zoom: Your First Conference
  Is this your first time joining us or your first online writing conference? We’re here to answer any questions you may have and help you make the most out of your first conference. Join us… Read more: 3 – 4:30PM Friday Zoom: Your First Conference
- 3 – 4:30PM Friday Zoom: Your Brand
  What does your author brand look like? Designer Maite Dalila will help you find out. In this interactive workshop, you’ll take a deep dive into branding and walk away with the exact colors, fonts, and… Read more: 3 – 4:30PM Friday Zoom: Your Brand
- 4:30 – 5PM Friday Belmont A/B & Zoom: Break
  School taught us that the best time to make a new friend is in the hallway between classes. There’s no rush to get to the workshop, so why not start a conversation with someone you’ve… Read more: 4:30 – 5PM Friday Belmont A/B & Zoom: Break
- 4:30 – 5:30PM Friday Windsor C: Invite-Only: FilmLab Writers Meet & Greet
  Invite-Only: Our past and current FilmLab authors are invited to join us for a meet and greet before Saturday’s SAG-AFTRA reading. Connect with your fellow writers over coffee and conversation. This workshop will be facilitated… Read more: 4:30 – 5:30PM Friday Windsor C: Invite-Only: FilmLab Writers Meet & Greet
- 5PM Friday Belmont Foyer: Silent Auction Opens
  Our silent auction is now open, featuring books, themed baskets, prints, and writerly gifts! Browse the collection, place your bids, and take home something special while connecting with fellow conference attendees. All proceeds support our… Read more: 5PM Friday Belmont Foyer: Silent Auction Opens
- 6:30PM Friday Belmont Foyer: Silent Auction Closes
  Our silent auction is closing! It’s your last chance to place your bids on books, baskets, prints, and gifts. Take a final look and see if there’s anything you’d like to claim before bidding ends.… Read more: 6:30PM Friday Belmont Foyer: Silent Auction Closes
- 5 – 7PM Friday Belmont Ballroom: Writer’s Fair
  It’s time for the 2026 Writer’s Fair! Our annual fair is free and open to the public, so invite your friends to join you in the Belmont Ballroom. Snacks, drinks, and conversations await you. You… Read more: 5 – 7PM Friday Belmont Ballroom: Writer’s Fair
- 6 – 7PM Friday Zoom: Writer’s Fair Roundtables
  It’s time for the 2026 Writer’s Fair! Our annual fair is free and open to the public, and this year, it is also online! Join us to learn about amazing programs and resources available to… Read more: 6 – 7PM Friday Zoom: Writer’s Fair Roundtables
- 7 – 9PM Friday Windsor C & Zoom: Timberline Review
  It’s time for the Launch of the 15th Annual Timberline Review Literary Journal. Join us online or in-person at the Conference to hear from poets, essayists, authors, memoirists, and that’s just scratching the surface! This… Read more: 7 – 9PM Friday Windsor C & Zoom: Timberline Review
- 8 – 10PM Friday Windsor A: Exquisite Corpse
  How would Frankenstein have gone if there were a dozen Dr. Frankensteins working on the monster at once? Want to find out??? Join us for a dastardly experiment where we’ll put our heads together to… Read more: 8 – 10PM Friday Windsor A: Exquisite Corpse
- 10PM – 12AM Friday Windsor A: Lo-Fi
  The vibes are just right to relax, enjoy quiet conversation, and write to Lo-Fi soundtrack. Wrap up your evening with smooth music and easy conversation.
February 24, 2026
9 – 10AM Friday Windsor A: Quiet Writing

Need a moment to yourself? Sit down before the conference carries you away with an hour of quiet writing.

February 24, 2026
9 – 10AM Friday Belmont A/B: Opening Poem and Welcome

Let the 56th Annual Willamette Writers Conference begin! Opening poet Christopher Diaz will take the mic to draw us into a weekend of writing, creating, and learning together. Bring your notebook and find your seat. It’s going to be an incredible weekend.

About Christopher Diaz

Christopher Diaz (he/him) is an indigenous CHamoru from the Pacific Island of Guåhan. As a writer, performer, and photographer, he’s been featured by NBC News, Poets & Writers.org, and more. Recently he was awarded a fellowship with Indigenous Nations Poets and an artist grant from the Washington State Arts Commission. In 2025, he was the opening keynote speaker at the Oregon Poetry Association’s annual conference. He’s a two-time grand slam champion and won the 2023 Bigfoot Regional Slam with his PNW team. He’s taught poetry with “Writers in the Schools”, offers writing and performance workshops online and in person, and co-leads monthly writing workshops at the juvenile detention center in Vancouver, WA.

Find him at www.christopherdiazcreates.com.

February 24, 2026
9AM – 2PM Friday Belmont C: In-Person Pitching

Registered for a pitch or critique with an in-person professional in conference registration this year? Join us at your scheduled time to meet with your industry professional. Scheduling info is sent our via email to registered participants.

February 24, 2026
8 – 9AM Friday Belmont Foyer: Badge Pickup

You’ve arrived, and we’re so excited to see you! Pick up your badge and folder and let’s get the fun rolling. Don’t miss out on a cup of coffee and a light breakfast! This will be a weekend to remember!

February 24, 2026