George Eliot wrote, "It is never too late to be what you might have been."

Midlife Crisis Time!

Our Willamette Writers Conference turns forty this year. Instead of that convertible Corvette or the affair with the gorgeous pool boy or Blazer cheerleader, how about indulging in a revival of that writing career dream? Who cares if the kids (or grandkids) think it's a questionable obsession? You know and I know that there's never going to be a better time than now to go for your dreams. We have actual proof that one can break into a professional writing career at any time. We had a young Willamette Writer make a two book deal at our conference a few years back. Norman McClean sold his first book after retiring from teaching at the age of 72. His book was called "A River Runs Through It." My point is, now is the time to go for it. And we are here to help. We can get you that face time with an agent or editor, get you prepped for success with workshops for every type of writing, buoy you up during the inevitable (and temporary) rejections that are part of the writing life, and help you celebrate your victories . This year our theme is abundance, financial success. Willamette Writers have made millions of dollars writing. It can happen to you. It's time to get prepared for the big time. Pencils sharpened. Pens uncapped. Publicity photos shot. Champagne in the fridge.

It all begins here. Now. Go for it!


Cynthia Whitcomb
President, Willamette Writers



Special thanks to all of our volunteers, Staff, Faculty and consultants!

The Conference Committee for 2009: Elisa Klein (Agents & Editors Coordinator), Diana Jordan (Program Coordinator), Gibran Perrone (Film Coordinator), Bill Johnson (Registration & Jack-of-All-Trades), Stefen Feuerherdt (Chair), Corey Stixrud (Consults). Special Volunteers/Staff: Jackie Blain (Pitch Practice), Mary Margaret Maitland, Linda Kuhlman, Joan MacBeth (Silent Auction), Lizzy Shannon and Randal Houle (Awards Banquet) - and all of our members and volunteers and consultants who work so hard to make the conference a success.

Consultants: Brian Batson (Registration and Consult Program), Jerry Isom (Accounting), Stefan Feuerherdt (Travel), and Gigi Rosenburg and her cast of actors (Writers & Actors Lab).

In-Kind Donations for Conference: Google (check our Website--this list will grow!).

The WW Board of Directors: Marilyn Ebbs, Leona Grieve, Joni Heyman, Randal Houle, Jerry Isom, JoJo Jenson, Dorothy Mack, Mary Margaret Maitland, Valerie Foster, Ann Buenzli, Lizzy Shannon, Salli Slaughter, Cynthia Whitcomb, Sylvia Bischoff, and Office Manager Bill Johnson.

Sheraton Staff: Carol Killam, Bruce Janzen, Chef Barry, and brothers Ozzie and Dwayne and all the staff whose names we don't know.

The 2010 conference is held at the Portland Airport Sheraton Hotel, August 6-8th.

A panoramic shot of our 2009 conference pitch practice area; photo Frank DiMarco.