Local writers and authors share their works.

You can attend this program online or in person. To take part online, register by using the "Register Here for Online Access" link above.

Join The Forge for a celebration of our 2023 graduating cohort of creative writers. Hear our accomplished Smithys read from the projects they've developed and honed over the last ten months, and learn more about The Forge's online writing program. Readings followed by general jubilance, and of course, cake! All are welcome!

In her work with hundreds of writers over 20 years, Ellen Santasiero has refined ways to help people figure out just what story they want to tell, whether it's subtle and associative or barefaced and bodacious!

Ellen taught writing and literature at Oregon State University-Cascades for 15 years. She led multi-day intensive memoir writing workshops at the Bend Writers' Workshop in 2018 & 2019, and she's taught creative writing courses for Deschutes Public Library, Central Oregon Community College, the Central Oregon Writers Guild, Saving Grace, and Lewis & Clark College, among others.

Mike Cooper holds an MFA from Oregon State University Cascades in Bend, Oregon where he lives with his family. Mike is a writer of fiction and an editorial coach. His short stories have been finalists in Glimmer Train, The Lascaux Review, Driftwood Press, and Cutthroat. He is president of the Central Oregon Writers Guild and teaches writing at Central Oregon Community College and Oregon State University-Cascades, as well as creative writing workshops through Blank Pages Workshops, Deschutes Public Library, and COCC Community Learning

Irene Cooper is a working writer, editor, & creative writing facilitator who believes, as Ann Richards said, "The answer to life is yes". She also agrees with Annie Dillard that where writing is concerned, one must give it all, and give it all now. Teaching: Co-facilitator, The Forge; Faculty, OSU-Cascades MFA; Poetry Instructor, COCC Continuing Education; Instructor & Presenter, Deschutes Public Library, MUSE, Saving Grace, & elsewhere

Learn more at: https://www.theforgewriting.com/.