Pacific University Residency Writers Conference

The Pacific University Residency Writers Conference, sponsored by Pacific University’s creative writing MFA program, will be held from January 8, 2026, to January 18, 2026, at the Best Western Plus Ocean View Resort in the beachside resort town of Seaside, Oregon. The conference will feature craft talks, workshops, panels, roundtable discussions, and student and faculty readings for poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. The faculty includes poets Ellen Bass, Leila Chatti, Adrienne Christian, Eduardo C. Corral, Kwame Dawes, Tyree Daye, Frank X. Gaspar, Danusha Laméris, Dorianne Laux, Joseph Millar, and Mahtem Shiferraw; fiction writers Chris Abani, Claire Davis, Siddhartha Deb, Pete Fromm, Molly Gloss, Cate Kennedy, Valerie Laken, Kimberly King Parsons, Mary Helen Stefaniak, Willy Vlautin, Laura Warrell, Kellie Wells, and Cecily Wong; and creative nonfiction writers Sanjiv Bhattacharya, Omar El Akkad, W. Ralph Eubanks, Apricot A. Irving, E.J. Koh, Mike Magnuson, and Kao Kalia Yang. The cost of tuition is $1,800. Lodging in a private or shared suite with a private bathroom costs $1,100; meals are included. Residents may also stay in neighboring hotels for similar rates. To apply, submit 10 pages of poetry or no more than 4,000 words of prose, a personal statement, and a short critical essay on a piece of published writing with a $50 application fee by November 15. Visit the website for an application form and more information.

Accessibility accommodations include elevators in all multilevel event spaces; accessible sidewalks, pathways, and doorways; accessible bathrooms; accessible event spaces and dining areas; and reserved seating. Contact the assistant director of Pacific University’s MFA program Jennifer Scanlon at (503) 352-1533 or scanlon@pacificu.edu for additional accessibility details.