RAYMOND CARVER WRITING FESTIVAL
SATURDAY MAY 3rd, 2025
Various locations in Clatskanie, OR – see below & website
2025 Festival Theme: “Call it a Polestar”
Raymond Carver once described a signal moment in his development when a stranger offered him a lens to a broader world and, “as if reading my heart,” an invitation to pursue his dreams. Carver wrote of this experience, “I was just a pup then but nothing can explain, or explain away, such a moment: the moment when the very thing I needed most in my life—call it a polestar—was casually, generously given to me.” In chaotic and unstable times, what unexpected forms of navigation do we encounter, seek, or create to guide us through?
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Saturday May 3rd, 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: April 21st, 2025)
Opening Reception
10:00am to11:30am 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
10:00am to 12:15pm at the Clatskanie Cultural Center, Ballroom
Vendor tables by local authors, regional writing organizations and presenters.
Allen Braden (Tacoma, WA), C.C. Stern Type Foundry (Clatskanie, OR), Martha Gies (Portland, OR), Empty Bowl Press (Chimacum, WA), Holly Hughes (Chimacum, WA), Laura Moulton (Portland, OR), Dayle Olson (Cathlamet, WA), Rain Magazine (Astoria, OR), Raymond Carver Podcast (Port Angeles, WA), Salal Review (Longview, WA), Armin Tolentino (Vancouver, WA), Evan Williams (OR), The Writer’s Guild (Astoria, OR), and more!
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, book bags and badges. Maybe even a few t-shirts in random sizes!
Presented by Astoria’s The Writer’s Guild.
Steal Time to Write
12:00pm to 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
12:30pm to 1:30pm at Fultano’s Pizza
Readers: Allen Braden (Tacoma, WA), Dayle Olson (Cathlamet, WA), Mandy Ellen (Clatskanie, OR)
Writing Workshop
2:00pm to 3:00pm 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
3:30pm to 4:30pm at The Castle
Readers: Holly Hughes (Chimacum, WA), Armin Tolentino (Vancouver, WA), Moe Bowstern (Portland, OR)
Poetry Contest Award Ceremony
5:30pm to 6:00pm 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.
Award presenters: Estella Hamilton, Mayor Robert “Bob” Brajcich
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. Ticket sales end on April 16, 2025.
7:15pm to 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.
Link to biographies of presenters
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, Wauna Credit Union, PGE Beaver and Port Westward.
More information can be found at clatskaniearts.org