Wendy Willis

MANZANITA — The Manzanita Writers’ Series PoetryFest 2018 presents “Poetry of the Moment” with author Wendy Willis, who will conduct workshops 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Saturday, April 14.

In addition, Willis will read her work, and an open mic for workshop participants will take place 7 p.m.

“Using the wonder of the place, the urgency of the times, and poetry of the ages to spur new and different work, we’ll dive beneath the surface and see what we can find!” said Willis, a Portland-based writer.

Tuition is $150. Register at hoffmanblog.org. All skill levels are welcome.

“In the morning, we will work on techniques to break through our habits and tics. We’ll use close observation, stillness, and the kismet of association to spur the imagination in unexpected ways,” she wrote. “In the afternoon, we’ll work with a variety of revision practices in preparation for the evening’s open mic. Bring whatever writing implement works for you!”

Willis divides her time among her roles as mother, poet and advocate for democracy.

Willis’ first book, “Blood Sisters of the Republic,” was released by Press 53 in 2012. Her second book of poems, “A Long Late Pledge,” won the Dorothy Brunsman Poetry Prize and was released by Bear Star Press in 2017.

Willis has published poems and essays in a wide variety of journals, including New England Review, Oregon Humanities, Poetry Northwest, The Rumpus, Zócalo Public Square and ZYZZYVA. She is a faculty member in poetry at the Attic Institute in Portland.

PoetryFest is a program of the Hoffman Center for the Arts and will be held at the Hoffman Center (594 Laneda Ave.) in Manzanita. For more information, visit hoffmanblog.org, or contact Kathie Hightower at kathiejhightower@gmail.com.