POETRY CONTEST:
March 17-April 14, 2025

Guidelines: This poetry contest is open to young people, ages 8-18, who live in the Clatskanie School District and adults from the Lower Columbia region. Entries are limited to two poems per person and can be accepted in Spanish or English.

Youth Poetry Contest
This poetry contest is open to young people, ages 8-18, who live in the Clatskanie School District. Awards will be presented for first and second place winners in each of the following age categories: Ages 8-11, Ages 12-15, Ages 16-18
Youth poetry contest guidelines and entry form

Adult Poetry Contest
This poetry contest is open to those aged 18 and over who reside in the Lower Columbia area. Awards will be presented for first and second place winners.
Adult poetry contest guidelines and entry form

Poem and official entry form may be submitted by any one of the following methods:
• Email to rcwfpoetrycontest@gmail.com
• Drop off at the Clatskanie Library District, 11 Lillich Street Clatskanie, OR 97016
• Mail to Clatskanie Library District, PO Box 577, Clatskanie, OR 97016

Contest Judges:
Youth Estrella Brown, Dayle Olson, Armin Tolentino
Adult Marj Hogan, Scott MacGregor, Michael Calvin Mills, Cliff Taylor

Link to biographies of contest judges

Support for this contest is provided by Wauna Credit Union, PGE, Clatskanie Library, and the Clatskanie Arts Commission.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Saturday May 3, 2025

Below is the schedule of events for the 2025 Writing Festival. Specifics as to presenters and venues will be added as available. (Last updated: March 27, 2025)

Opening Reception
10-11:30am at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Welcome to the Raymond Carver Writing Festival!
Guest presenter: Laura Moulton (Portland, OR)
Featured presenter: Martha Gies (Portland, OR)

Publishers & Writers Fair
10am-1pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Vendor tables by local authors, regional writing organizations and presenters.
A select assortment of Raymond Carver books will be for sale at the event. We’ll also have merch available from the Raymond Carver Writing Festival including commemorative posters, stickers, postcards and badges. Maybe even a few t-shirts in random sizes!
Presented by Astoria’s The Writer’s Guild.

Steal Time to Write
12-5:30pm at various locations in Clatskanie
Self guided. Pop in to sponsoring sites, pick up a keepsake print and spend a few minutes writing to short prompts from festival writers. A different printed prompt will be offered at each location, so plan on stealing time for all of them!

Poetry and Prose Reading
12:30-1:30pm at Fultano’s Pizza
Readers: Derek Sheffield (Leavenworth, WA), Dayle Olson (Cathlamet, OR), Mandy Ellen (Clatskanie, OR)

Writing Workshop
2-3pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Presenter: Martha Gies (Portland, OR)
In this workshop, we will use prompts suggested by two or—time permitting—three of Carver’s poems. I have found this exercise to be fun for writers of prose and poetry alike. No public sharing required. Bring your notebook and a pen.
Pre-registration appreciated

Prose and Poetry Reading
3:30-4:30pm at venue TBA
Readers: Holly Hughes (Chimacum, WA), Armin Tolentino (Vancouver, WA), Moe Bowstern (Portland, OR)

Poetry Contest Award Ceremony
5:30-6pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Birkenfeld Theater
Award presentation and readings from the winners of the 2025 Poetry Contest in both youth and adult (over 18) categories.

Festival Finale!
6:15pm Dinner (reservations required) at the Clatskanie Food Hub
Whimsical and seasonal Farm-to-table food featuring a menagerie of locally grown savory delights handcrafted by Bluebell Bakeshop. Non-alcoholic beverages supplied by The Wild Locals, beer and wine available for purchase.
Reservations are required, cost is $20 per person.

7:15-8:30pm Open Mic Poetry Jam (free and open to all) at the Clatskanie Food Hub
An opportunity for festival participants to share their words in a supportive and fun atmosphere, sign-ups will be available all day and on site in case of last minute inspiration.

2025 SPONSORS

The Raymond Carver Writing Festival is sponsored by the Clatskanie Arts Commission, Clatskanie Library, Clatskanie Foundation, Astoria’s The Writers Guild, Clatskanie Senior Citizens - The Castle, C.C. Stern Type Foundry, Craft Printing House.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
May 17th-18th, 2024

Below is a general schedule of events for the weekend. Read more about this year’s participants here.
(Last updated: May 13, 2024)

FRIDAY MAY 17th

Publishers & Writers Fair
5pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Vendor tables by local authors, regional writing organizations and presenters.
C.C. Stern Type Foundry (Clatskanie, OR), Clatskanie Historical Society (Clatskanie, OR), Clatskanie Library (Clatskanie, OR), Columbia River Writers Group (Clatskanie, OR), FisherPoets (Astoria, OR), Joseph Green/Peasandcues Press (Longview, WA), Scott MacGregor (Clatskanie, OR), Mother Foucault’s Books (Portland, OR), Kelley Jaquez (Clatskanie, OR), Laura Moulton (Portland, OR), Ben Parzybok/Gumball Poetry (Portland, OR), Raymond Carver Podcast (Port Angeles, WA), The Raymond Carver Review (online), Robert Michael Pyle (Grays River, WA), Salal Review (Longview, WA), Kim Stafford (Portland, OR), The Writer’s Guild (Astoria, OR)

A select assortment of Raymond Carver books will be for sale at the event. We’ll also have merch available from the Raymond Carver Writing Festival including commemorative posters, stickers, postcards and badges. Maybe even a few t-shirts in random sizes!

Reception
6-7:30pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Welcome to the Raymond Carver Writing Festival!
Introduction: Deborah Hazen (Clatskanie, OR)
Guest presenter: Chad Wriglesworth, The Raymond Carver Review (Waterloo, ON), “A Particular Way of Seeing the World: Raymond Carver on the Craft of Writing”
Keynote speaker: Kim Stafford (Portland, OR), “Where I’m Writing From”

Evening Readings
7:30-8:30pm Storytelling/Prose at Fultano’s Pizza
Readers: Mac Stripling (Westport, OR), Ben Parzybok (Portland, OR), Scott MacGregor (Clatskanie, OR), Michael Mills (Port Angeles, WA)

7:45-8:45pm Poetry at Flowers n Fluff
Featured poet: Robert Michael Pyle
Readers: Marianne Monson (Astoria, OR), Joseph Green (Longview, WA), Robert Michael Pyle (Grays River, WA)

8:45-10:00pm Readings at Colvin’s Pub & Grill
Line-up curated by Mother Foucault's Bookshop
Readers: Ed Skoog (Portland, OR), Justin Taylor (Portland, OR), and Joshua Pollock (Portland, OR)

SATURDAY MAY 18th

A Conversation about Writing: “The World According to You”
10-10:45am at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Presenter: Kim Stafford (Portland, OR)
Raymond Carver says in his essay “On Writing” that every writer describes a particular world, and has a particular way of seeing things. What is your “native place” as a writer? How are you a “native speaker” of the language of that place? We’ll have a conversation about these matters, and how this particular background makes you want to tell a certain kind of story or poem or song.

Writing Workshops
Presented by Astoria’s The Writer’s Guild.
Pre-registration for workshops is not required, workshops are appropriate for all levels of writers.

“Prose Poetry as Memoir”
This workshop has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Please join us at The Castle at 11:15am to learn more about our regional history and see Carver memorabilia.
11-11:45am at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Presenter: Asher Finch (Astoria, OR)
Where does the line cross between prose-poetry and memoir storytelling? Does there need to be a distinction between the two? The lyrical and abstract nature of prose poetry to tell the story of one’s life in a memoir style can be used to illustrate the art of memory, blended with the accuracy of a timeline. Join Asher Finch for a brief lesson in prose poetry and its use in narrative storytelling, open writing time, and a brief sharing session at the end. 

“Overcoming Procrastination and Writer’s Block”
1-1:45pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Presenter: Vicki (Vee) Lind (Portland, OR)
In the first part of this hands-on workshop, we’ll review tips from successful authors on external environmental factors conducive to activating your muse: place, time of day, support from others. As Annie Lamott said, “My mind is a neighborhood I try not to go into alone..” In the second part, we’ll focus on the internal environment of their mind. Through free writing exercises, participants will identify their patterns of critical self-talk that block creativity. They will then learn to befriend and reimagine that self-talk.

“What We Write About When We Write About Love: A Readers Write Workshop”
2-3:30pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Presenter: Nancy A. Cook (Astoria, OR)
This workshop will celebrate one of Ray’s most famous short stories “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love”, which served as the creative inspiration for The Academy Award Best Picture “Birdman”. The workshop will include a brief history of the story, close reading focused on Carver’s fine minimalist craft, a pertinent clip from “Birdman”, and some fun writing prompts suited for nonfiction, story scenes, or poetry. This will be fun!  All are welcome! 

Explore Carver in Clatskanie 
A walking tour with presentations and participatory readings at local sites. Bring a poem or short story to share!
11:15-11:45am at The Castle/Thomas J. Flippin House/Clatskanie Historical Society
Presenter: Deborah Hazen/brief regional history and Carver memorabilia
12:30-12:45pm at the Carver Mural/old Clatskanie hospital building
Presenter/Reader: Michael Calvin Mills + you!
1-1:15pm at Evenson Logging Co. parking area
Presenters/Readers: Deborah Hazen, Chad Wriglesworth + you!
1:30-1:45pm at Raymond Carver Memorial Sculpture/Cope’s Park
Readers: Scott MacGregor, Ben Parzybok, Gumball Poetry + you!

Parking Lot Poetry
12-2pm at the Evergreen Shopping Center/Safeway parking lot
Readings of Raymond Carver poems and other works on the theme “Where I’m Calling From”. Bring your own favorite or select from poems provided to read aloud. This fun event is inspired by Tess Gallagher and Raymond Carver’s 1984 parking lot reading at this very site.
Hosted by Laura Moulton (Portland, OR) and the C.C. Stern Type Foundry (Clatskanie, OR)

Steal Time to Write
11:45am-12pm, 12:45-1pm, 1:45-2pm at the Clatskanie Library
Writing prompts at quarter to the hour, 15 minute sessions. Pop in to the library and spend a few minutes writing to short prompts from festival writers Michael Mills, Laura Moulton, and Robert Michael Pyle. A different prompt will be offered at each session, so plan on stealing time for all three!

Youth Poetry Contest Award Ceremony
4:30-5pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Birkenfeld Theater
Awards and readings from the winners of the 2024 Poetry Contest.
Award Presentors: Mayor Robert "Bob" Brajcich, with Joseph Green (poet) and Maryanne Hirning (librarian)

Festival Finale! : Poetry and Pie 
6-9pm at the Clatskanie Food Hub
Pie was Raymond Carver's favorite dessert, and as part of the 2024 Raymond Carver Writing Festival, we’re closing out the activities with a last slice of deliciousness. 
The dinner requires a paid reservation. Community pie potluck, award presentation and Poetry Jam are free!

6pm Catered dinner (reservations required, $20 per person)
Whimsical and seasonal Farm-to-table pies featuring a menagerie of locally grown savory delights handcrafted by Bluebell Bakeshop. Non-alcoholic beverages supplied by The Wild Locals, beer and wine available for purchase.

… and a community pie potluck! (free)
Bring a homemade pie to share after dinner -- your best recipe, a sweet treat using the remainder of last year’s harvest, or a regional favorite. Perhaps we will have prizes.

7-8:30pm Adult  Poetry Contest Awards and Poetry Jam (free)
Awards and readings from the winners of the 2024 Adult Poetry Contest
followed by an Open Mic Poetry Jam hosted by Joseph Green

GUMBALL POETRY:
April 18th (Poem in Your Pocket Day)-May 19th, 2024

A new issue of “Gumball Poetry” presented by Benjamin Parzybok is installed at the Clatskanie Library especially for the 2024 Raymond Carver Writing Festival! The Gumball Poetry kiosk contains a selection of poems related to the festival theme, drawing from local and regional poets. Visit gumballpoetry.org to learn more about the participating poets.

Cost: 25¢ per encapsulated poem

POETRY CONTEST:
April 1st-30th, 2024

2024 Theme: “Where I’m Calling From”
In Raymond Carver’s writing the characters are often observed for just a snapshot in time, in ordinary situations. There is no background history provided, no foreshadowing of what will happen in the future. He describes and then places the reader fully in the moments in front of them.

Guidelines: This poetry contest is open to young people, ages 8-18, who live in the Clatskanie School District and adults from the Lower Columbia region. Entries are limited to two poems per person. Cash prizes will be awarded and judged in each of the following age categories:

Ages 8-10 | Ages 11-12 | Ages 13-15 | Ages 16-18 | Adult

April 1-30, 2024 visit the Clatskanie Library website for contest rules and entry forms.

Awards will be publicly presented to winners on May 18th as part of the Raymond Carver Writing Festival.

2024 FESTIVAL SPONSORS

The Raymond Carver Writing Festival is sponsored by the Clatskanie Arts Commission, Clatskanie Library, Clatskanie Foundation, Wauna Credit Union, Clatskanie Farmer Collective, PGE Beaver and Port Westward, Astoria’s The Writers Guild, Clatskanie Senior Citizens - The Castle, C.C. Stern Type Foundry, Mother Foucault’s Bookshop, Clatskanie Safeway, Craft Printing House, Gumball Poetry; and by support from venues Flowers N Fluff, Colvin’s Pub & Grill, Fultano’s Pizza, Clatskanie Food Hub and Clatskanie Historical Society.

2023 DINNER RESERVATION

Presentations of awards and readings by youth winners of the poetry contest in the Birkenfeld Theatre at the Cultural Center is set for 4:30 p.m. on May 20th, followed by dinner in the ballroom, at 5:30 p.m. Cost of the chicken fettuccini dinner and pie dessert is $20. Reservations are required and may be made online at
https://www.clatskaniearts.org

After dinner, the winners of the adult categories in the poetry contest will read their winning poems, followed by an open mic poetry jam.

2023 SPONSORS

The Raymond Carver Writing Festival is sponsored by the Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Humanities, Oregon Heritage Commission, Oregon Historical Society, State Historical Preservation Office, Columbia County Cultural Coalition, Oregon Cultural Trust, Clatskanie Foundation, Clatskanie Library, Wauna Credit Union, Astoria's The Writer's Guild, C.C. Stern Type Foundry, Clatskanie Arts Commission, and Jerome White.