The 56th Annual Willamette Writers Conference
July 31-August 2, 2026 in Portland, Oregon and online
Your 2026 Willamette Writers Conference
A life-changing weekend of writing
The Willamette Writers Conference is more than just a weekend of writing. It’s your chance to meet your community, develop your craft, and launch your career. In one long August weekend, you’ll sit down to learn from world-class instructors, pitch with industry professionals, write with new friends, and critique with New York Times bestselling authors. You’ll find the support you need to take the next steps in your career and writing life.
Scroll down to meet our faculty and check out the schedule. With over 90 workshops, keynotes, critiques, and evening events, you’re sure to find the support you need to launch your writing career and dive into your writing life!
We can’t wait to write with you.
Your Saturday Keynote
Jane Friedman has spent 25 years working in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and industry reporting. In 2023, she was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World.
She is the author of The Business of Being a Writer, which received a starred review from Library Journal. In addition to serving on grant
panels for the NEA and the Creative Work Fund, she works with organizations such as The Authors Guild to bring transparency to the business of publishing.
Find out more at JaneFriedman.com
Opening Poem
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.
Your Conference Schedule
The Willamette Writers Conference launches online the end of July, with in-person and online activities beginning July 31. Check out the full schedule for workshops, keynotes, critiques and more.
Your Conference Faculty
Your 2026 Conference Schedule
The Willamette Writers Conference launches online the end of July, with in-person and online activities beginning July 31. Check out the full schedule for workshops, keynotes, critiques and more.
Your Conference Hotel
The Willamette Writers Conference takes place both online and in-person at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Portland, Oregon.
Register for your room here, and join us this August.
Photos provided by Gail Pasternack, Kate Ristau and Phoenix Bourgeois
Your 2026 Willamette Writers Conference