The Willamette Writers Conference was formed in 1976 by writers and literature instructors from Lane Community College, the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Linn-Benton Community College, Willamette University, and Chemeketa Community College. The Guild wanted to offer high quality community events to foster interest in the literary arts and humanities. The Willamette Writers Conference became the Willamette Writers Guild in 1977.
The Guild sponsored programs with poets W.S. Merwin, Gwendolyn Brooks, Richard Hugo, John Ashbery, and Oregon poet-laureate William Stafford; the science fiction team of Kate Wilhelm and Damon Knight; philosopher/novelist William Gass; screenwriter Paul Schrader; and fiction editor Gordon Lish.
The Guild was funded largely by grants from agencies and foundations. The instructors contributed their time, and each college provided financial support and use of college facilities. The group was set up as a three-year consortium program; at the end of the period of formal stewardship, the Guild looked into establishing a non-profit organization and offering programs on a more informal basis. However, the group faded after 1979.
Joyce Salisbury was an instructor in the English, Foreign Language & Speech Department at Lane Community College, 1972-2000.
From the guide to the Willamette Writers Guild Records, 1976-1986, (Lane Community College (Eugene, Or.) Archives)
