So I can't overemphasize the depth of the 2011 Port Townsend Writers' Conference. With nine morning workshops–led by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Pam Houston, Paisley Rekdal, Cheryl Strayed, Dorianne Laux, Bob Shacochis, Sam Ligon, Carl Phillips, and Cate Marvin–and an afternoon lineup (so far!) of Susan Rich, Elizabeth Austen, Susan Landgraf, Wendy Call, Sheila Bender, Midge Raymond, Kelli Russell Agodon, Jenifer Lawrence, Richard Widerkehr, Gary Lilley, Anne Germanacos, Michael Schein, Ashley Capps, Gabriel Gudding, Maya Jewell Zeller, Bill Mawhinney, and Laura Read, the Conference is shaping up to be a stellar one. (How's that for an understatement?!)

No one comes to this Conference just to teach, or just to learn. We're all teaching each other and learning from one another in the most nurturing, rigorous, egalitarian workshop in the country. The emphasis is on improving your literary craft, and honing your literary voice. And registration will be opening soon!  

This will be the 38th annual Conference. Since 1974, writers have come to Centrum to immerse themselves in the writing life and make breakthroughs in their personal work. In this inspiring and supportive atmosphere, such literary figures as William Stafford, Alice Walker, Margaret Atwood, Ken Kesey, Richard Hugo, Leslie Marmon Silko, James Welch, Raymond Carver, Sam Hamill, and many, many others found community and made breakthroughs in their creative development through workshops and residences.

Whether you’re seeking to create or revise new work, find writing community, or simply desire a writing retreat in an inspirational location, Centrum is at the heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene, a community for writers, editors, thinkers, translators, and ardent readers.

We're looking forward to seeing you soon!