The Port Townsend Writers' Conference was founded in 1974 by novelist Bill Ransom.
[2] The conference is presented by Centrum,[3] the multidisciplinary arts organization that also presents Jazz Port Townsend,[4] the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, and other week-long and weekend workshops and festivals.
Numerous readings, craft lectures, special events, and guided freewrites are a part of the Conference.
in addition to founder Ransom, other program directors have included Jim Heynen, Carol Jane Bangs, Sam Hamill, Carla Vander Ven, and Jordan Hartt.
Noted authors who have been associated with the Port Townsend Writers' Conference over the years include Margaret Atwood, Raymond Carver, Alice Walker, Leslie Marmon Silko, Ken Kesey, Carolyn Forché, Belle Randall, Barry Lopez, Tom Robbins, Sam Hamill, Marvin Bell, Sherman Alexie, David Guterson, Terry Tempest Williams and Frank Herbert.