The Seventh Week features a roundup of news from within the Clarion West community. You’ll find interviews with instructors, former students, and volunteers; reports from staff and board members; and articles on the world of creative writing.
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The great John Crowley (December 1, 1942 – August 8, 2026) taught at Clarion West in 2014, 2002, 2000, 1995, and 1992. Through his works and his teaching, John touched readers and writers alike and was known for being a generous instructor. Richard Garfinkle (CW ‘92), sent in the following remembrance: “I was at Clarion…
The 2025 Seventh Week includes a flash piece from Emma Jaynes; Workshop Report by Amy Hirayama; a review of the Clarion West 40th Anniversary at WorldCon; information on the 2026 Workshops and Financial Aid at Clarion West; Upcoming Events; In Memoriam; and ends with an update on the potential future home of the Six-Week Workshop.
Workshop Report by Jae Steinbacher (CW ’14), Workshop Manager; In Session! Fall Classes, Spring Classes, & More by Rashida Smith (CW ’05), Program Director; Steamy in Seattle 2024 by Marnee Chua, Executive Director; Clarion West Turns 40+! by Jae Steinbacher; Summer 2025: Virtual Six-Week Workshop Format & Instructors by Jae Steinbacher; Donor Spotlight: Linda Breneman…
The Six-Week Workshop moved back online this summer, with a cohort that embraced the flexibility of working from their homes and making global connections remotely. Our 15 students joined from Brazil, Ghana, the U.K., Mexico, the Bahamas, and the U.S., with a high concentration of East Coasters! Although the group was faced with the challenge…
This year, in lieu of our usual Spring Seventh Week newsletter, we decided to feature a few interviews from our Clarion West Six-Week Workshop community! We’re excited to share a conversation with Week 3 instructor Samit Basu, where he discusses his work, publishing journey, and what he’s looking forward to with Clarion West. We’ve also…
The Clarion West Writers Workshop was founded on the belief that writers from diverse backgrounds need an opportunity to be heard — and to experiment with new forms of storytelling. Clarion West has historically been successful in reaching women writers and LGBTQIA+ writers, and many of our graduates are actively publishing in the field. With…
It’s one thing to have a relationship with individuals. A friendship. A long-term admiration. A fan’s enthusiastic following. It’s another to have a relationship with an organization. What does it mean for an organization, an entire body of people, thoughts, and ideals, to miss a single person? I’m sitting down to write this tribute as…
Watch ‘Round, Cayden Browne by N.A. Blair; Workshop Report by Jae Steinbacher (CW ’14), Workshop Coordinator; Donor Spotlight: Isabel Cañas (CW 18) by Stefani Cox, Communications Specialist; In Memoriam by Marnee Chua, Executive Director
We are thrilled to announce our instructors for the upcoming 2023 Six-Week Summer Workshop! The Clarion West 2023 Six-Week Summer Workshop will take place from June 25 – August 5, 2023. Applications for the 2023 Summer Workshop open in early January 2023. Each year, Clarion West is able to provide full and partial scholarships to…
In this issue: Alumni Highlight: Sheree Renée Thomas (CW ’99) by Stefani Cox, Communications Specialist Summer Workshop Instructor: P. Djèlí Clark by Stefani Cox, Communications Specialist Introducing the Clarion West Class of 2022! by Jae Steinbacher (CW ’14), Workshop Coordinator Write-a-thon 2022 by Evan J. Peterson (CW ’15), Development and Outreach Coordinator