Who we are

Established in 1982 by a small coterie of renowned Oregon authors, Oregon Writers Colony is a home for Oregon-based and Oregon-appreciative writers committed to exploring the written word while promoting the craft of writing in all its forms.

All writers are welcome—whether you are well-established in the writing world or are just beginning the writing life. Through gatherings—virtually or in person—we support one another, share information, listen, learn, and develop our craft.

What we believe

We believe that stories are better when storytellers represent the diversity of our world. To that end, OWC is committed to creating writing practices and spaces where writers of different ethnicities, genders, cultures, class backgrounds, ages, abilities, belief systems, and sexual orientations will flourish and be nurtured, online and off.

We acknowledge that writers start with differing opportunities, financial resources, education, writing time, technology, and connections within the recognized writing community.

We also know we have work to do to level that playing field.

We pledge to not veer away from that work, to seek out and practice new ways of engaging, to model inclusion within our organization, to continually expand our community of writers, and to hold our organization, and ourselves, as creative writing artists, accountable for our highest outcomes.

We aspire to grow a diverse, representative community of writers committed to the understanding that words are a powerful tool, useful for bringing about equality for all.

OWC News

Books by Members

(please click on the book cover for more info)

Mission

Statement

 

Oregon Writers Colony supports all writers. Members benefit from classes, gain insight from teachers and colleagues, and have access to Colonyhouse, a lovely writing retreat on the Oregon Coast.