Clark College hosts Creative Writing Festival May 9-14
For Immediate Release
April 30, 2026
Free festival begins with a full day of workshops designed for writers
VANCOUVER, Wash. — The English department at Clark College will host its annual Creative Writing Festival from May 9–14. The event, which is free and open to the public, features activities geared for writers and readers at all levels. The festival allows writers to immerse themselves in workshops and readings by renowned authors. It kicks off with the Spring Writing Workshop on Saturday, May 9, with a full day of workshops for writers.
All are welcome: Clark College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution. Learn more at www.clark.edu/nds. All events will be held in the Penguin Union Building (PUB) on Clark College's main campus, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Directions and maps are available online.
Creative Writing Festival Schedule
View Creative Writing Festival Schedule
May 9, 10 am–5 pm, Penguin Union Building:
Spring Writing Workshop: A full day of writing workshops, readings, and community
building. Reserve your free tickets online.
May 11, 11 am–12:30 pm, PUB 258 A/B:
Nonfiction comics workshop with author, zinester, and journalist, Shay Mirk
May 12, 10–11 am, PUB 258 B/C:
Reading and conversation with climate journalist and fiction writer, Emma Pattee
May 13, 11 am–12:30 pm, PUB 161:
"The Swift" release party with student readings and a celebration of the publication of the 4th
edition of Clark's student-run literary journal
May 14, 1–2 pm, PUB 258 B/C:
Reading and conversation with nature writer and poet, Camille Dungy
For a detailed schedule and listing of the Writing Workshop, please check online.
2026 Writers and featured topics at the all-day Writing Workshop
- Rebecca Clarren (multi-disciplinary/non-fiction) –
"Writing Across Genre: The Happy Marriage of Poetry and Creative Non-Fiction" - Kimberly King Parsons (fiction) –
"Spend It All: Writing Great Beginnings" - Eleanor Howell (fiction) –
"Blending Natural Science with Memoir" - Sam Lohmann (poetry) –
"Anything Shut In with You Can Sing': Found Objects/Found Subjects/Found language" - Anne de Marcken (fiction) –
"The Whole World In Every Word" - Emma Pattee (journalism/fiction) –
"Bodies on the Page - Using Physicality to Bring your Characters to Life" - Gerard Donnelly Smith (poetry) –
"The Personae Poem" - Arwen Spicer (science fiction) –
"Worldbuilding: Writing Believable Utopias" - Christopher Teuton (non-fiction) –
"An Eye for the Pattern and an Ear for the Story" - Armin Tolentino (poetry) –
"Turn, Turn, Turn: Building Swerves, Disjunction, and Jump Cuts Into Poems" - Consuelo Wise (poetry) –
"Your Ear, Your Eye" - Carly Rae Zent (fiction) –
"Leaps, Gaps, and Contract: Building Metaphors & Meaning In Prose"
About Clark College
Founded in 1933, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor's and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately 45% of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college.
About Clark's Columbia Writers Series
The Columbia Writers Series aims to enrich the intellectual and cultural life of Clark College by providing a platform for literature and the arts. Since 1988, the series brings a diverse array of local, national, and international authors to the campus and the community.
Learn more about the Columbia Writers Series
Accommodations: If you need accommodation due to a disability to participate in this event, please contact Office of People and Culture, Melody Williams at MWilliams@clark.edu or (360) 992-2432. Please make requests as early as possible to ensure appropriate arrangements can be made.
Clark College expressly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, citizenship, immigration status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal in its programs and activities. Learn more at www.clark.edu/nds.
For additional information (media inquiries & photo requests):
Maureen Chan-Hefflin, Clark College Communications & Marketing
Phone: 360-992-2243 / Email: mhefflin@clark.edu
Alexis Nelson, Clark College English Department
Phone: 360-992-2373 / Email: anelson@clark.edu