Workshops

Since Bob Welch launched Beachside Writers Workshops in 2005, more than 200 people have been part of one of our events on the writer-friendly Oregon Coast. Eight workshops have been held. Nearly 100 lessons offered. And nearly one thousand marshmallows roasted — or burned — at the traditi

onal “s’mores fest” following the Friday night opening sessions.

People who attend our workshops enjoy learning in a relaxed, lighthearted, non-threatening atmosphere. Though we encourage it, students aren’t forced to read their work aloud — or even sing their high school fight songs.

Beachside Writers Workshops are designed for people who simply love to write. Who want to write better. And who, while on a workshop break, prefer watching waves instead of standing in a 20-person bathroom line at some airport hotel.

The workshops are for all sorts of beginning and intermediate writers, from those who aspire to have a book published to those who simply want to write an engaging family memoir. Our goal isn’t to necessarily crank out published authors (though we have). Our goal is to affirm you as a writer, inspire you to be better and feed you so much great food that you’ll want to come back for seconds. And plenty do. About a third of our students have come back for one or more workshops.

We offer a two-day workshop — 100 and 200 levels — led by Bob Welch and a three-day workshop — 300 and 400 levels — with Bob his guest, Jane Kirkpatrick, a historic novelist, homesteader on the John Day River and winner of the Northwest Distinguished Writer Award.

All workshops take place at the Yachats Commons, an old school that’s a three-minute walk from waves crashing on the rocks, a two-minute walk from “downtown” Yachats and a one-minute walk from the nearest motel.

The good news: we offer a full refund in case of tsunamis. The bad news: Your refund check might be a tad soggy.