Write On The River to host winter workshop, open annual writers competition

WENATCHEE — Write On The River will host its first workshop of 2026 on Feb. 14, featuring a free, in-person session led by nationally acclaimed Cashmere author Dan Gemeinhart.

The Winter Workshop, titled Finding the Heart of Your Story, will focus on strengthening relationships in fiction to develop more compelling characters, deeper emotion and stronger narrative tension. The interactive session is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Wenatchee Library, 310 Douglas St.

The workshop is part of Write On The River’s Saturday Workshop series, which offers intensive, two-hour sessions designed to help writers sharpen their skills and connect with peers. The sessions feature targeted presentations by authors and writing professionals from around the region.

Attendance for the Winter Workshop is limited to 30 participants. Registration is available at writeontheriver.org.

In addition to the workshop, Write On The River’s 18th annual writers competition is open through midnight Feb. 15. The competition accepts original, previously unpublished prose in fiction or nonfiction, with submissions limited to 1,000 words. Entries may include standalone pieces or excerpts from longer works.

The competition is held in partnership with the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center and will award a total of $1,200 to six regional writers. Since its inception, the annual event has honored more than 100 writers with a combined $20,000 in cash awards.

Competition guidelines and submission information are available at writeontheriver.org.

Write On The River is a regional literary organization that supports writers through educational opportunities in fiction, nonfiction and publishing, as well as through social gatherings, readings and writing competitions. The organization aims to foster connection and collaboration among writers while encouraging continued growth and creativity.