Whether you are a writer just starting your journey or a published author with years of experience, you’ll find something for your skill level and interest at the 2026 Southwest Washington Writers Conference. On September 11 and 12, 2026, more than 100 writers from Southwest Washington and beyond will gather at Centralia College for a weekend of inspiration and motivation. Through master classes, keynote speakers, networking and craft-focused workshops, participants gain tools to sharpen their writing, learn publishing and marketing tricks of the trade and come away inspired and encouraged.
The writers’ weekend includes two master class sessions on Friday, followed by an optional Evening with Authors, and a Saturday conference. The popular Saturday conference, which often sells out, will feature two keynote presentations and a choice of 24 workshops taught by experienced authors, including workshops by children’s authors and one by the current Washington State Poet Laureate. This year’s line-up of speakers welcomes several new presenters in addition to a few perennial favorites. You can choose to attend one or both days. To learn more about the event or to register, visit here.
Genre Lunches
During lunch, tables will be arranged by genre, giving participants the opportunity to eat and network with writers sharing similar interests. Back for the third year, genre lunches have become one of the highlights of the conference. Box lunches are included in the registration cost and will be catered by Centralia College.
Friday Master Class and Critique Groups
The Friday master class is an opportunity for more in-depth teaching on topics of special interest to writers. The three-hour morning session by Christine Pinto of Seattle focuses on researching, writing and editing. Using historical fiction and memoir as examples, she will show writers how to incorporate research and backstory engagingly without bogging down the plot. The afternoon session focuses on building a successful writing career by prolific writer Shawn Inmon of Tumwater. Offering practical advice gained from his own experience, the bestselling author and engaging speaker will inspire writers to ditch self-limiting ideas and achieve their dreams.
New this year, Friday attendees can choose to participate in a critique group instead of one or both of the master class sessions. Those interested will gather in a separate room to share their work and hear constructive feedback from other writers.
Friday Evening with Authors
The Lewis County Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will host its third annual Evening with Authors on Friday, September 11, in the TransAlta Commons at Centralia College. Doris Wood will moderate a conversation with conference speakers and authors Shawn Inmon, Kristina McMorris and Rosanne Parry. Conference participants and community members are welcome to attend the fundraising event and book signing.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through Lewis County AAUW. All proceeds go to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through Hope Alliance. Doors open at 6 p.m. for book sales and viewing raffle baskets, and the program begins at 7 p.m.
Saturday Conference Presenters
Saturday morning, the conference kicks off with Rosanne Parry, New York Times bestselling author of “A Wolf Called Wander,” “A Whale of the Wild,” and nearly a dozen other novels for middle-grade students. In her presentation, “Paths to Success in Traditional Publishing,” she will share ways to get published in traditional markets. She will also teach one workshop in the afternoon, “Finding Gold in Your Story Setting.” Parry, whose engaging stories often portray animals in their struggle for survival, writes from a cozy tree house in her Portland backyard.
Kristina McMorris, a former actress and New York Times bestselling author of the popular “Sold on a Monday” and other historical novels, will provide the main keynote, “The Accidental Author.” She will also share her favorite writing hacks in one of the morning workshops. McMorris, who lives in Portland, got the inspiration for her Depression-era bestseller “Sold on a Monday” after seeing the infamous 1948 newspaper photograph of a mother standing on a porch with her face turned away while four youngsters sit on the steps near a sign saying, “4 children for Sale. Inquire Within.”
The 2026 Saturday Workshop Lineup
After the keynote sessions, participants can choose from a variety of workshops for both beginning and experienced writers. This year’s topics include:
- Writing for children
- Mysteries
- Memoirs
- Fantasy
- Prologues, notes and maps
- Screenwriting
- Strategies for author publicity
- Poetry–taught by the Washington State Poet Laureate
- Nonfiction book proposals
- Query letter writing
- Along with practical skills such as how to describe a scene with sensory detail, add humor to a story, keep fictional facts straight and use show AND tell effectively.
The Southwest Washington Writers Conference
The Southwest Washington Writers Conference is a nonprofit organization run by a team of dedicated volunteers. Held annually on the weekend after Labor Day, the regional conference not only offers quality content, but it is also gaining a reputation for its small-town hospitality, warm and friendly atmosphere, and affordable price. Proceeds from the conference will continue to support the Centralia College Foundation for student scholarships.
