We want to read your story
The Cai Emmons Short Fiction Contest is open to writers across Oregon and Washington. Got a short story (or idea) about grief, family, climate, magical realism, women’s lives, the way everything connects? Enter it by Nov 30, and you’ll be in the running for the good stuff: $700 grand prize, six category awards, and publication in next spring’s anthology from Wordcrafters Press.
Upcoming Creative Writing Shenanigans
A community nap for tired people.
Saturday, Oct 10 | Wordcrafters studio and online
Get your writing time in at the Wordcrafters studio at our regular write-ins. FREE for Wordcrafters members and open to the public.
Tuesdays 9:30 am-noon
Sundays 6:30-9 pm
Nap-a-thon: a fundraiser for people who are tired. Which, statistically, is everyone.
Nap Ambassador sign ups close Sept 30.
Napping and fundraising happens Oct 1-31.
Calling all young lovers of words and stories. Come find your people at a monthly creative writing workshop for youth.
September through June
1st Saturdays: Teens | Age 13+
2nd Saturdays: Youth | Age 9+
Share your words in sweet community at our monthly open mic emceed by spoken word poet Jorah LaFleur.
Second Thursdays, September through June | Age 14+
Join us for an atmospheric, fun-filled writing retreat where you’ll write and revise a short story—ghostly, strange, quiet, or otherwise—in the company of other writers.us for a spooky, fun-filled writing retreat where you’ll write and revise a short ghost story in the company of other writers.
October 15 -18, 2026
Learn more Into the Veil: A Writers Weekend at the Oregon Coast
A 4-week writing accountability and co-working group to help you make real, steady progress on your writing.
Wednesdays 3-4:30 pm | In person or online | Next cohort starts Nov 4, facilitated by Daryll Lynne Evans | Age 16+
A quarterly journaling workshop that takes you deeper into your thoughts and feelings through grounding, prompts, and a community that holds space for whatever shows up on the page.
Sundays, Nov 8, Feb 14, May 2, 3-5 pm | In-person and online | Age 16+
Learn more Writing Into Yourself: A Seasonal Journaling Series
Demystifying the process of bringing your story to the page in this full day craft intensive with Patricia Crisafulli.
Nov 21 | Ages 18+
The Oregon Author Series brings a visiting Oregon writer into our space for an afternoon of live conversation: about their book, their process, and the stubborn, beautiful work of making something true on the page.
Dec 13, 2026; March 14, June 13, 2027 | 4-6 pm
Ages 16+
Come share a meal with other writers and talk shop—craft, process, money, motivation, publishing, rejection, weird writing habits, and whatever’s currently living rent-free in your brain.
Friday, Dec 18 | Noon–1:30 pm
Ages 18+
Rekindle your writing spark (or just get some writing done) at a day-long write-in with cocoa, community, and creativity.
Saturday, December 26 | Age 16+
Latest Articles and News
You’ve written a piece of creative writing: an essay, poem, short story, novel. Is it done and ready to go into the world? How do you know? Read on for some of Jeaux’s advice.
Keep reading How do you know when your work is ready to submit?
In writing, discipline and routine get all the credit. But brains need rest, and inspiration often strikes when you’re not at your desk.
Keep reading When Writing Doesn’t Look Like Writing: Thinking, resting, and moving around
Lane County Young Writers Make Their Mark: Wordcrafters Announces 2026 Fiction Fantastic Finalists
Writing about our hidden inner truths can be hard. How do you know when it’s time to write about it and what is the truth?
Keep reading What It Means to Tell the Truth in Your Work—Even When It Hurts
Discover five different methods to process and express your grief through creative writing in this post by writer and artist Audrey Quinn.
Express your grief through creative writing–there’s no wrong way to give voice to your emotions. Explore how to use journaling, poetry, music, humor, and storytelling to process pain, find healing, and transform your experiences into meaningful expression.
Keep reading Ways to Express Your Grief Through Creative Writing
The 2026 Fiction Fantastic youth short story contest is open for submissions!
Keep reading Young Writers in Lane County Invited to Share Their Stories
See the difference your support makes
Wordcrafters membership gives writers the space they need
Books create safety and support for LGBTQIA+ youth
Your support creates healing through sharing
Word open mic creates opportunities for community and creative expression Our goal is to give…
Igniting the creative flames of Lane County’s young writers
COVID made an impact and so did you
