Event

Raymond Carver Writing Festival

The Raymond Carver Writing Festival takes place annually in Clatskanie, Oregon, the birthplace of Raymond Carver. This year’s theme is “Where I’m Calling From,” taken from the title of one of Carver’s short stories, and meant to be open to creative interpretation.

All efforts have been made to keep events free and open to the public, thanks to the contributions of organizations, businesses, and a volunteer committee of organizers. The festival is held at venues downtown Clatskanie, in walking distance from one another and from centrally located lodging.

Learn more here on the website

FRIDAY MAY 17th
Publishers & Writers Fair / 5pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center
Vendor tables by local authors, regional writing organizations, presenters

Reception / 6-7:30pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center
Keynote speaker: Kim Stafford, “Where I’m Writing From”
Guest presenter: Chad Wriglesworth, The Raymond Carver Review, “A Particular Way of Seeing the World: Raymond Carver on the Craft of Writing”

Evening Readings / 7:30-8:45pm Storytelling/ Prose at Fultano’s Pizza
Readers: Mac Stripling, Ben Parzybok, Scott MacGregor, Michael Mills

7:30-8:45pm Poetry at Flowers n Fluff
Featured poet: Robert Michael Pyle
Readers: Marianne Monson, Joseph Green, Robert Michael Pyle

8:30-10:00pm Readings at Colvin’s Pub & Grill

SATURDAY MAY 18th
A Conversation about Writing: “The World According to You” / 10-10:45am at the Clatskanie Cultural Center
Presenter: Kim Stafford
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 / 11am-3pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center
Presented by Astoria’s The Writer’s Guild

Explore Carver in Clatskanie / 11:15am-2pm
A walking tour with presentations and participatory readings at local sites

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”
Hosted by Laura Moulton and the C.C. Stern Type Foundry

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

Youth Poetry Contest Award Ceremony / 4:30-5pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center
Awards and readings from the winners of the 2024 Poetry Contest

Closing Event: Poetry and Pie / 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.

6pm Catered dinner (reservations required, $20 per person)
Catered by Bluebell Baking and The Wild Locals.
Followed by a community pie potluck!
Bring a homemade pie to share — 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
Awards and readings from the winners of the 2024 Adult Poetry Contest followed by an Open Mic Poetry Jam hosted by Joseph Green