Willamette Writers Chapters are local writing communities where writers improve their craft and acquire the career skills required in today's publishing world.

The Eugene Willamette Writers offers monthly meetings and occasional workshops. Meetings are normally held at Tsunami Books on the first Thursday of the month (unless it conflicts with a holiday, usually Sept. and/or Jan.) from September-May. No meetings in December, July, or August. In August we head to Portland for the Willamette Writers Conference.

Monthly meetings are open to all writers 18 and older. Members attend for free. Read on to learn about our chapter, and join our mailing list to keep in touch.

Become a Willamette Writers Member today to enjoy membership benefits (like free meetings) and to support our community of writers.

Upcoming Meeting

Eugene: Monthly Chapter Meeting

May 7 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

|Recurring Event (See all)

Tsunami Books

Eugene, OR 97405 United States

Join us at Willamette Writers in Eugene

Name: Eugene: Monthly Chapter Meeting
Start: 2020-05-07T18:30:00-07:00
End: 2020-05-07T21:00:00-07:00
Location: Tsunami Books

The Eugene Chapter offers monthly meetings and occasional workshops. Meetings are normally held at Tsunami Books on the first Thursday of the month (unless it conflicts with a holiday, usually Sept. and/or Jan.) from September-May. No meetings in December, July, or August. In August we head to Portland for the Willamette Writers Conference. Monthly meetings are open to all writers 18 and older. Members attend for free. Read on to learn about our chapter, and join our mailing list to keep in touch. Become a Willamette Writers Member today to enjoy membership benefits (like free meetings) and to support our community of writers.

About the Meetings

The Eugene Chapter holds monthly meetings for writers in the Willamette Valley, including Eugene writers, Springfield writers, and Lane County writers. We always look forward to meeting and seeing members from other chapters. Unless otherwise stated…

Meeting Time

The Eugene Chapter meets on the first Thursday of each month (unless it conflicts with a holiday, usually Sept. and/or Jan.) from September through June, with no meetings in July, August and December. In August we head to Portland for the Willamette Writers Conference.

Meeting Location

Meetings are held at Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette St., Eugene, OR 97405 Tsunami Books 2585 Willamette St. Eugene, OR 97405

Meeting Format

6:30-7:00 p.m., Social Time and Refreshments
7:00-7:15 p.m., News, Upcoming Events and Member Announcements
7:15-8:30 p.m., Speaker
8:30 p.m., Drawing for Free Gift
8:30-9:00 p.m., Questions and Book Signing

Meeting Cost

Monthly meetings at all the chapters are free for members of Willamette Writers. Fees for Nonmembers to attend meetings (suggested donation):

Nonmember guests of Willamette Writers members pay $5.
Nonmember full time students with student ID pay $5.
All other nonmember adults pay $10.

Thank you for your support!

Find out more »

About the Meetings

Unless otherwise stated…

Meeting Time

In August we head to Portland for the Willamette Writers Conference.

Meeting Location

Meetings are held at Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette St., Eugene, OR 97405

Tsunami Books
2585 Willamette St.
Eugene, OR 97405

Meeting Format

6:30-7:00 p.m., Social Time and Refreshments
7:00-7:15 p.m., News, Upcoming Events and Member Announcements
7:15-8:30 p.m., Speaker
8:30 p.m., Drawing for Free Gift
8:30-9:00 p.m., Questions and Book Signing

Meeting Cost

Monthly meetings at all the chapters are free for members of Willamette Writers.

Fees for Nonmembers to attend meetings (suggested donation):

Nonmember guests of Willamette Writers members pay $5.
Nonmember full time students with student ID pay $5.
All other nonmember adults pay $10.

Thank you for your support!

The Chapter Chair

Valerie Ihsan, Author Business Strategist is the author of The Scent of Apple Tea and Smell the Blue Sky: young, pregnant, and widowed, winner of a B.R.A.G. Medallion for Top Indie-Published Books. She co-chairs the Eugene Chapter of Willamette Writers, teaches workshops on writing and indie-publishing, and helps authors get clear about their goals so they can find success. She’s an editor and proofreader, loves dogs, and wants to live in Costa Rica and run writing retreats. She lives in Oregon with her husband, teenage son, and four dogs.

Connect with the Chapter

We think writers are awesome!

Join our meetings and workshops if you’re a writing enthusiast from the area, if you happen to be in the area, or if you are interested in a specific topic/speaker. All writers 18 and older welcome. Join us!
Follow our Facebook Page and subscribe to our events to keep in touch.
Join our chapter's mailing list to receive updates by email.
Visit our contact page if you have a specific inquiry or something you'd like to share with the chapter co-chairs.

Volunteer with the Chapter

Are you a local writer and want to be more involved with Eugene Willamette Writers? Volunteer!

Here are some ways volunteers help us:

Pick up snacks for monthly meetings
Prep Member Announcements for publishing on website
Organize events, workshops and meetings

How would you like to be involved? Get in touch and let us know how you’d like help.

Click here for other volunteer opportunities at Willamette Writers.

Chapter Blog Posts and Updates

Sept. 2015 – Writing and Book Events at Eugene Public Library

Sept. 2015 – Writing and Book Events at Eugene Public Library All events FREE. More information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library Edible Wild Plants: Wild Foods From Dirt to Plate Wednesday, September 2, 6:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive A fun and informative illustrated talk by author John Kallas on how to identify, harvest, and prepare nearby nutritious and delicious plants. This presentation is based on his book, “Edible Wild Plants: Wild Foods From Dirt to Plate.” Kallas has investigated edible wild plants since 1970 and taught about them since 1978. A trained botanist, nature photographer, writer, researcher, and teacher, Dr. Kallas has a doctorate in Nutrition, a Masters in Education. He is the founder and director of Wild Food Adventures, The Institute for the Study of Edible Wild Plants & Other Foragables. Free. Information:541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library. Concert: Eugene Opera First Friday, September 4, 6:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive Singers from Eugene Opera perform arias and ensembles from the coming season, which is inspired by literary works. The season will include Benjamin Britten’s “The Turn of The Screw,” Gaetano Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor,” Pyiotr Ilych Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” and Mark Adamo’s “Little Women.” High school students from the Eugene Opera Academy will perform dramatic readings from the literary works on which these operas are based, bringing to life the words of Henry James, Sir Walter Scott, Alexander Pushkin, and Louisa May Alcott. The Downtown Library stays open until 8:00 p.m. on the First Friday of each month. Free. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library. Crazy 8s Oregon Author Tour Saturday, September 12, 3:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive It’s speed-dating with authors! The Crazy 8s Oregon Author Tour is a fun, fast celebration of writing in which each of eight authors gets the stage for eight minutes to talk about the writing life and highlight one book. The Crazy 8s Oregon Author Tour kicks off at the Downtown Eugene Public Library with a rousing roster: Molly Gloss, Melissa Hart, Lindsay Hill, Justin Hocking, Karen Karbo, Lauren Kessler, Phillip Margolin, and Gina Ochsner. Many are winners of multiple awards, including quite a few Oregon Book Awards. The Crazy 8s Author Tour will appear at eight libraries this fall: Albany, Beaverton, Corvallis, Cottage Grove, Eugene, Salem, Seaside, and Stayton. Each event features a different line-up of eight writers from a total of 27 participants. The Eugene event is co-sponsored by Eugene Public Library and the University of Oregon Duck Store, which will provide books for purchase and signing. Molly Gloss is an Oregon Book Award and Pacific Northwest Book Award winner whose latest work is “Falling From Horses.” Melissa Hart is nationally recognized for her memoirs “Gringa” and “Wild Within.” Lindsay Hill is an Oregon Book Award finalist, and winner of the PEN Fiction Award for “Sea of Hooks.” Justin Hocking won an Oregon Book Award for “The Great Floodgates of the Wonderworld.” Karen Karbo is an Oregon Book Award winner and…

August 2015 – Writing and Book Events at Eugene Public Library

August 2015 – Writing and Book Events at Eugene Public Library All events FREE. More information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library Citizen Journalism: Writing Workshop Thursday, August 20, 6:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive “Citizen journalism” is now everywhere, as new technologies have made it possible for the general public to play an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing, and disseminating news and information. Learn more about citizen journalism and the basics of investigative reporting at this workshop with Amy Beasley and Aryn Bartley of the Community Writing Center of Eugene-Springfield at Lane Community College. Free. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library. Download eBooks and More Wednesday, August 26, 2:30 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive Have fun and save money: learn how to get free downloadable and streaming eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, music, movies, and TV shows from Eugene Public Library. See a step-by-step, user-friendly demonstration of online services including Library2Go, Hoopla, Zinio, and Freegal. These services offer tens of thousands of titles and are available at the Library website from home or on the road. Just bring yourself and your curiosity; no device needed. Free. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library. Tween Scene Book Group Thursday, August 27, 4:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive This month’s book is “Ghostopolis” by Doug TenNapel. In this graphic novel, Garth is accidentally zapped into the spirit world, where he finds himself on the run from the evil ruler of Ghostopolis. For grades 4 through 6. Pre-register and pick up the book at the Children’s Center starting August 1. Free. Information: 541-682-8316 or www.eugene-or.gov/library. Teen Book Group Thursday, August 27, 4:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive This month’s book is “Grasshopper Jungle” by Andrew Smith. In this wildly funny and intense novel, the hero faces at least two major life questions. Can you be in love with more than one person at once? And how do you stop an army of giant killer insects you’ve set free by mistake? For middle and high schoolers. Starting August 1, visit the Downtown Teen desk to pre-register and pick up your copy. Free. Information: 541-682-8316 or www.eugene-or.gov/library

June 2015 – Writing and Book Events at Eugene Public Library

June 2015 – Writing and Book Events at Eugene Public Library All events FREE. More information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library Summer Reading for All Ages at Eugene Public Library Starting June 1, continuing all summer. Sign up and join in the fun at Eugene Public Library with this year’s Summer Reading theme, “Heroes!” All summer, visit any Library location — Downtown, Sheldon, or Bethel — to sign up and enjoy free events. Each child and teen gets a free book. Each adult gets a coupon for a free coffee or $1 off books at the Friends of the Library book store, and a free wristband flash drive (while supplies last). Plus: free raffles for kids to win passes to City of Eugene pools and local museums, and for teens and adults to win gift cards to local stores. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library. Summer Teen Team Apply starting June 1, Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive Middle and high schoolers: volunteer together to help staff prepare items for check out, set up crafts projects for younger kids, create displays, clean and organize books, and more. Summer Teen Team will meet on Thursdays, July 2 through July 30, 2:00-3:00 p.m., at the Downtown Eugene Public Library. Apply starting June 1 at the Teen Desk of the Downtown Library. Free. Information: 541-682-8316 or www.eugene-or.gov/library. The New Shakespeare Showcase First Friday, June 5, 6:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive Comedy, tragedy, history, and romance by The Bard, brought to life by Fools Haven! The talented troupe is led by Judith Roberts and Bill Woolum, with actors including Don and Diane Aday, Joe Cronin, Dylan Kennedy, Kathy LaMontagne, Robert Newcomer, Pamela Lehan Siegel, and Penta Swanson. The Downtown Library stays open until 8:00 p.m. on the First Friday of each month. Free. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library. Workshop: Daily Writing in the Spirit of William Stafford Saturday, June 13, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive Writer Kim Stafford leads this two-hour workshop sharing his father’s method of daily writing. Oregon poet William Stafford wrote every morning for fifty years, producing 22,000 poems and 60 books through his mysteriously effective devotion to “your own way of looking at things.” For practicing poets, or anyone interested in “tasting the honey of exploratory writing,” this workshop will provide examples, consider creative practice, and offer an invitation to begin. Kim Stafford is the founding director of the Northwest Writing Institute at Lewis & Clark College, and author of a dozen books of poetry and prose. Free. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library. Tunnel Books: Workshop for Adults Tuesday, June 23, 6:00 p.m., Sheldon Branch of Eugene Public Library, 1566 Coburg Rd Tuesday, June 30, 6:00 p.m., Bethel Branch of Eugene Public Library, 1990 Echo Hollow Rd. Adults: get creative with artist Amanda Puetz at this hands-on workshop to make “tunnel books.” They are three-dimensional books featuring cut-out pages that reveal a scene or image. See finished examples, generate ideas, and…

Sat, 13 June: Daily Writing in the Spirit of William Stafford–Free

Sat, 30 May: OSLP Benefit–So Small: Miniature Art Show

Oregon Supported Living Program (OSLP) is presenting their 3rd annual “So Small” benefit in support of their Arts & Culture Program at the Lincoln Gallery on May 30th, from 6-8pm. EVERYONE IS INVITED! Miniature artwork – small performances – tiny food and drinks. I will be performing one small poem in support of this event. “The 3rd annual So Small: Miniature Art Show” is a silent auction of donated artwork for the OSLP Arts & Culture Program. All proceeds will go into the OSLP Arts & Culture Scholarship Fund to help cover the cost of registration fees for individuals who couldn’t afford otherwise. Opening Reception & Exhibition // The Lincoln Gallery 309 W. 4th Ave, Eugene Saturday, May 30th, 2015, 6-8pm Tiny Prizes, Tiny performances, Tiny Food and Cider from WildCraft CiderWorks! This is a wonderful benefit for a wonderful cause, so please attend if you can. Their flyer is attached, showing the event schedule and participating performers. More information on their event can be found here: http://www.artsandcultureeugene.org/so-small.html You can visit their main website here: http://www.oslp.org/

Accepting Reader Entries for the Mid-Valley Authors Celebration in June

Mid-Valley Author Celebration and Reading Join us as we celebrate our members’ publishing successes for the year! This is our chance to mingle, enjoy some light refreshments, and hear from eight members, who will read from their recently published works. Event: Thursday, 4 June, 2014, from 7-9:00 pm at Tsunami Books Suggested donation: One book for kids or a small cash donation to the Books for Kids program Open to public Spots to read at the Mid-Valley Author Celebration and Reading are open to Willamette Writers members. We’d love to have live music at the event if any of our members would like to show off their musical talents! Email us if you’re interested. Reading Submission Guidelines Readers must have a current Willamette Writers membership in good standing. The goal is to feature our members’ publishing successes. How to tell if your work qualifies: It has an ISBN (novel, non-fiction, poetry, short story collections); or was published in a journal or magazine of note. Your self-published or e-book-only publication is permissible if it has an ISBN and is sold on major online publishing venues. It is not a blog post or forum post (especially fan fiction). Many ezines, chapbooks, and online venues also do not qualify as officially published. Have a question or unsure whether your work qualifies? Don’t hesitate to ask. As we hope to make this an annual event that celebrates our members’ most recent achievements, we ask that works submitted have been published in the past three years. This is an event open to the public of all ages, so please ensure pieces for submission are appropriate for ages 12 and up (that is, approximately PG-13). Submission pieces must be no more than 7-minutes worth of reading. (Estimate approximately 2 minutes per page for prose.) Please submit the following via email as pdf attachments to midvalley@willamettewriters.com : Your name, email, and phone number A short author bio Your submission piece of approximately 3-4 pages, double-spaced, 12 PT Times New Roman (or equivalent) Submissions are due by 30 April 2015. Readers will be announced at the May meeting.

2 Memoir Writing Workshops with Melissa Hart

How to Write and Sell a Memoir Tuesday, March 10, 6:00 p.m., Sheldon Branch of Eugene Public Library, 1566 Coburg Rd Tuesday, March 31, 6:00 p.m., Bethel Branch of Eugene Public Library, 1990 Echo Hollow Rd. Have a life story just begging to be told? At this workshop, instructor Melissa Hart will guide participants in identifying a particularly compelling life event or era and using it to shape a short or book-length memoir. This lively session will cover plot and narrative arc, characterization, dialogue, setting, historical details, the importance of research, and the ethics involved in writing a memoir that includes family members and friends. Hart is the author of two memoirs, “Wild Within: How Rescuing Owls Inspired a Family” and “Gringa: A Contradictory Girlhood.” Free. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.

Seeking 1-2 science fiction/fantasy authors for a reading/book signing at Tsunami books

Are you a science fiction or fantasy book author who wants to be part of a reading and book signing at Eugene’s Tsunami Books? Local fantasy author Anthony St. Clair (www.anthonystclair.com) is seeking 1 or 2 science fiction/fantasy authors with at least one published book (trad or indie) for a reading and book signing on Thurs., Apr. 23, 7pm. If you are interested/available, please contact Anthony by Mar. 6 via email or call (hover mouse for contact info).

Lunch-with-an-Author at The Book Nest

The Book Nest presents Lunch with an Author most weeks on Thursday or Friday Mark your calendar for these lunches and go here for more information about upcoming author lunches. RSVP (not required but helpful) at AmandaBird@airpost.net. Join us for lunch at noon with these local authors: , Feb. 19: Johnny Sundstrom, author of Dawn’s Early Light and For Spacious Skies, historical fiction about the American West. , Feb. 27: Gina Oschner, Corban University professor and author of award-winning short stories and the novel The Russian Dreambook of Colour and Flight. http://www.ginaochsner.com/ , March 5: Dave Imus, award-winning cartographer and masterful creator of state, local, and art maps. https://imusgeographics.com/ , March 13: Theo Czuk, musician, poet, songwriter, and author of the western novel Heart-Scarred. http://tedczuk.com/ , March 19: Annette Cone, author of With God … on a Tanzanian Safari, a collection of photography and meditations, and Shelley Houston, author of several works of fiction and owner of Just Dust Publishers. http://justdustpublishers.com/books.html , April 2: Carola Dunn, author of more than fifty works of fiction, including the popular Daisy Dalrymple mysteries. http://caroladunn.weebly.com , April 9: Sharon Munson, local poet whose work has appeared in numerous publications and several collections. http://www.oregonpoeticvoices.org/poet/111/ , April 16: Mary E. Lowd, science fiction author, with more than fifty short stories and two novels in print. http://marylowd.com/ April 23 or 24, time TBA: Birthday party for Shakespeare, featuring Shakespearean monologues by Springfield High School drama students. , April 30: Steve Hunt, Vice President for Marketing at Corban University and author of the children’s book Alex and the Airplane and the novel Love and Deception: One Family’s Encounter with Dementia. , May 7: Donna McFarland, author of multiple chapter books for young people, including the Purple Elephant series, the Duck and Friends series, and the Sam and the Dragon series. http://duckandfriends.com/ , May 14: Judy Cox, popular, award-winning author of numerous children’s books, including The Secret Chicken Society and the Tails of Frederick and Ishbu series. http://www.judycox.net/works.htm , May 21: Anthony St. Clair, freelance writer, editor, and author of the Rucksack Universe books, a series of travel fantasy novels. http://www.anthonystclair.com/rucksack-universe , May 28: Terri Kelley, former elementary and middle school teacher and author of numerous books for children. http://www.terrikelleybooks.com/ , June 4: Terry Glaspey, Harvest House editor and author of the Book Lover’s Guide to Great Reading, Not a Tame Lion:The Spiritual Legacy of C.S. Lewis., and his newest volume, The Prayers of Jane Austen. http://harvesthousepublishers.com/authors/terry-glaspey/ Directions to Indulge! Antiques: From 105, take the Mohawk exit. Pass Bi-mart and Dutch Bros. and turn left at the next light. In the parking lot, take a jog to the left, then go straight back (away from Mohawk), between the two large buildings. Indulge is on the back side of the building on the left, with the entrance facing 18th St.

March 2015 – Book-lover and Writerly Events at Eugene Public Library

March 2015 – book-lover and writerly events at Eugene Public Library All events FREE. More information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library 1000 Places to See Before You Die – Author Patricia Schultz Sunday, March 1, 3:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive Armchair travelers and savvy globetrotters alike will love this illustrated talk by the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, “1000 Places to See Before You Die.” First published in 2003, it pioneered the concept of the travel book as both wish list and practical guide. Because the world and the way we navigate it have changed, Schultz has published a new edition: re-researched, re-traveled, and rewritten with new entries, additional countries, and hundreds of full-color photographs. Enjoy a fresh take on the richness of our world! Patricia Schultz is the author of the international bestsellers “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” (now with over 3 million copies in print and translated into 25 languages) and “1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die.” A veteran travel journalist with 25 years of experience, she has written for The Wall Street Journal, Everyday with Rachel Ray, and Travel Weekly. She also executive-produced a Travel Channel television show based on her book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die.” Free. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library. How to Write and Sell a Memoir Tuesday, March 10, 6:00 p.m., Sheldon Branch of Eugene Public Library, 1566 Coburg Rd Tuesday, March 31, 6:00 p.m., Bethel Branch of Eugene Public Library, 1990 Echo Hollow Rd. Have a life story just begging to be told? At this workshop, instructor Melissa Hart will guide participants in identifying a particularly compelling life event or era and using it to shape a short or book-length memoir. This lively session will cover plot and narrative arc, characterization, dialogue, setting, historical details, the importance of research, and the ethics involved in writing a memoir that includes family members and friends. Hart is the author of two memoirs, “Wild Within: How Rescuing Owls Inspired a Family” and “Gringa: A Contradictory Girlhood.” Free. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library. Windfall Reading: Joy McDowell and Robert Hill Long Tuesday, March 17, 5:30 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive This month’s Windfall Reading features writers Joy McDowell and Robert Hill Long. Poet Joy McDowell for many years lived along the Coos Bay estuary, “where twice each day the high tide brings new energy for writing and the outgoing tide carries away what isn’t working.” Her poems, essays and short stories have been widely published, including in her chapbook “Waltzing the Dragon,” her collection “Diesel Horse,” and the anthology “New Poets of the American West.” Robert Hill Long has published six books of poetry and flash fiction, most recently “Walking Wounded,“ a book about national and cultural wars, and their victims, perpetrators, survivors, witnesses, and apathists. He has won two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, two fellowships from the Oregon Arts Commission,…

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