Willamette Writers is the largest writers' organization in Oregon and recently added a new chapter in Salem, led by Marilyn Ebbs and Heather Cuthbertson. In honor of April's National Poetry Month, the Salem Chapter will be sponsoring a poetry contest. The contest is open to all forms of poetry and all ages. Each writer may submit up to two unpublished poems of no more than 100 lines each. A panel of Salem-area poets and poetry supporters will serve as judges.

The contest deadline is March 22. Winners must be available to read their poems in the Salem/Keizer area, and winning poems will be published in Salem Monthly. Complete contest guidelines and submission instructions can be found at salemchapter.com.

The Salem Chapter of Willamette Writers meets the second Thursday of each month at the West Salem Roth's store, 1130 Wallace Road NW. Parking and entrance are in the back. The topic for the March 13 meeting is "Writing Query Letters that Sell." Networking begins at 6:15 p.m. Meetings are from 7 to 8 p.m. Interactive meetings run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Meetings are free to Willamette Writers members, $5 for guests of members, and $10 for non-members.

Professional writer offers classes
Writers and other creative types in the mid-Willamette Valley are learning to cultivate their creativity with instructor and professional writer Sara Wiseman. Wiseman offers a range of classes for all levels of experience, for those seeking to improve their writing skills and productivity, as well as for those seeking to use writing as a conduit to other creative pursuits.
Two classes Wiseman is currently offering are How to Create and Sustain a Journal Writing Practice and Writing with the Muse. Registration for How to Create and Sustain a Journal Writing Practice is $30. The next session takes place on March 27 at 7 p.m.

Writing with the Muse meets Wednesdays from 6 - 7 p.m., with new sessions starting each month. Registration is $60. Wiseman also works with writers on an individual basis. For additional details and registration information, visit sarawiseman.com.

Critique Groups Forming and Ongoing
Writers seeking to hone their craft are finding support and camaraderie in the form of critique groups meeting in the Valley. Here are three to note:

Writing Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow meets on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. in the downtown Salem Public Library. This critique group has been meeting for over seven years now, with a core membership of 6-8 writers. New members are welcome and are encouraged to visit the group first to get acquainted. Writers in this group include poets, fantasy writers, and memoirists. Other genres are welcome. Leader Gladys Bryson began writing when her then 50-year-old son asked her to write something about the day of his birth. For more information, contact the Salem Public Library at (503) 588-6052.

The Willamette Writers Critique Group is open to all genres and meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Blue Pepper. This new critique group is an off-shoot of the newly formed Salem Chapter of the Willamette Writers, launched by writers Heather Cuthbertson and Marilyn Ebbs. Writers attending this critique group are asked to bring 5-10 copies of no more than 10 pages of their work. All genres are welcome. For additional information, visit salemchapter.com.

The Monmouth Critique Group meets monthly and next convenes on Sunday March 16. Writers of all genres are welcome, but should be advised that this group's focus is currently on children's picture books. Meet at Rick's Place, 123 Main Street in Monmouth, from at noon. Writers are asked to bring 3-4 pages, or are welcome to come just to critique. For additional information, contact Gwynne Spencer at (503) 606-2696.

Third Thursday Poets move, again
Poetry readers and writers alike will find items of interest at Willamette University in March.
The Third Thursday Poets offer poetry readings on the third Thursday of each month on the third floor of the alumni lounge in Putnam University Center Building (above the book store). On Thursday, March 20, poets Susan Denning, Cecelia Hagen, and Lex Runciman will read from their work, starting at 5:30 p.m. Third Thursday Poets meet monthly, and occasionally feature open mic readings. For additional information, contact Maureen Clifford at Maureen@thirdthursdaypoets.org.

Enter now for kids' poetry contest
The Willamette Bookstore presents its 2nd annual poetry contest this month to celebrate National Poetry Month, coming in April. Deadline for entries is Friday, March 21. Timothy King of the Willamette Store says awards and gift certificates to the store will be given to winning children and adult poets in the following categories: best rhymed poem, best unrhymed poem, and best haiku. Children's divisions include ages 9 and under, 10-12, and 13-17. Poets 18 and older enter in the adults' division.

Original poems, 35 lines or fewer, can be submitted by e-mail to booknotes@willamette.edu or in person at the Willamette Store. Winners will be notified on or before Wednesday, March 26th, and will be honored on Saturday, April 5th, in two readings: children's at 10 a.m., and adults at 2:00 p.m. For additional information, please call (503) 370-6772 or e-mail booknotes@willamette.edu.  

Writer Shannon Riggs lives in Salem. Her picture book, "Not in Room 204," won the 2007 Oregon Book Award for Children's Literature. Visit Shannon on the web at shannonriggs.com.