The 57th Annual Willamette Writers Conference
Coming to Portland, Oregon and online in 2027!
Meet agents, learn from publishing professionals, and take real next steps toward getting published.
Willamette Writers Conference 2027
Build Your Future
What comes next for your writing?
Join Willamette Writers in Portland and online for our 57th Annual Conference, August 5–8, 2027, and spend a weekend building the future you want as a writer. Connect with fellow writers and a vibrant creative community. Develop your craft through practical workshops, keynotes, critiques, and conversations with award-winning authors. Meet literary agents, editors, publishers, producers, and other industry professionals who can help you understand the path from manuscript to publication and beyond.
Whether you’re writing your first pages, revising a finished manuscript, querying agents, building a publishing career, or looking for your next creative challenge, you’ll find opportunities to learn, connect, and move your work forward.
The future is yours.
Add to your calender:
- Registration Now Open.
- Location announced October 2026.
- Leap of Faith Pricing ends January 15, 2027.
- Keynotes announced February 2027.
- Workshops and Faculty announced March 1, 2027.
- Literary Agents announced April 1, 2027.
- Pitches and Critiques open April 15, 2027.
- Early Bird ends April 30, 2027.
Conference Hotel
The Willamette Writers Conference will take place both online and in-person at a new venue for 2027: the Regency Hyatt by the convention center.
Register for the conference for booking details, and join us this August.
Explore our August 2026 Conference
Our July 31 – August 2, 2026 Conference was a big success. Explore the faculty and programming from this year’s conference below. Registration is now open for 2027. Join us next year to find your community, develop your craft, and expand your career.
2026 Willamette Writers Conference
Your Next Step as a Writer
The Willamette Writers Conference is more than a weekend of writing. It’s where writers connect with their community, strengthen their craft, and take real steps toward a professional writing career.
Over one weekend, you’ll learn from industry professionals, pitch your work to agents and editors, write alongside fellow writers, and receive feedback from award-winning authors.
Whether you’re just starting out or actively pursuing publication, you’ll find the guidance, tools, and connections to move your writing forward.
Explore the faculty and schedule below to see everything included—from 90+ workshops and keynotes to critiques, pitch sessions, and evening events.
We look forward to writing with you.
Online Conference
The Willamette Writers Conference is where writers connect with their community, strengthen their craft, and take real steps toward a professional writing career.
Explore our online schedule below to see our robust lineup of hybrid, live-streamed, and fully online programming. From workshops and keynotes to critiques, pitch sessions, and evening events, we have a full weekend of activity waiting for you wherever you are. Log-in and join us online!
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.
Keynote Speakers
Jane Friedman
Christopher Diaz
Rosanne Parry
Fiona Kenshole
Mary Robinette Kowal
Industry Professionals
Pitch and critique registration is now open! We are proud to introduce you to our first round of Industry Professionals for this year’s Willamette Writers Conference. These agents, publishers, and producers will be joined by more professionals on April 30th, including editors and film managers. Reserve your spot now, as these spots fill up fast.
Conference Faculty
Our list of conference faculty is live! This year’s roster includes award-winning and New York Times Bestselling authors. We are so happy to introduce them to you. Register for the conference to meet them on July 31-August 2. Don’t wait!
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.
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
2026 Willamette Writers Conference