The Neah-Kah-Nie Coast Arts Music & Cultural Foundation (NCAM) announces the 4th Annual Rockaway Writers Rendezvous (RWR), a three-day celebration of storytelling and coastal creativity taking place April 24–26, 2026 in Rockaway Beach.
Now in its fourth year, RWR has become a signature spring cultural event on the North Oregon Coast, drawing writers, students, and arts enthusiasts from across Tillamook County and beyond. The festival features craft workshops, youth and adult contests, open mic performances, a keynote address, and an awards celebration.
New in 2026, NCAM expands its partnerships to include the Tillamook County Library and Tillamook Bay Community College, alongside its ongoing collaboration with the Rockaway Beach Business Association. These partnerships strengthen educational opportunities while reinforcing ties between local institutions, businesses, and the creative community.
Accessibility remains central to the festival’s mission. Admission to Saturday’s full day of programming—featuring eleven workshops plus the keynote—is a modest $25, and includes the Sunday morning awards breakfast. Students attend free, and both Friday and Saturday evening open mic events are free and open to the public.
“Rockaway Writers Rendezvous is about more than writing,” said Don Backman, President of NCAM. “It’s about creating space for voices to be heard, for generations to connect, and for our community to gather around creativity during the quieter coastal season.”
This year’s keynote speaker is: Dr. Julie Albright. Dr. Albright will present “The Human Story Behind the Screen: Writing Connection in Disconnected Times.” In an era when we’re more digitally connected than ever yet feel increasingly isolated, how do writers craft stories that truly bring people together?
Dr. Albright will be speaking Saturday, April 25 at 1:30 pm at Rockaway Beach Community Church in the Main Hall.
Workshops will also be taught by: Karen Thompson Walker, Adam Sawyer, Louisa Peck, Sydney Elliott, Michael Bergmann, Duncan Birmingham, Marc Johnson, Lori Tobias, Nik Xandir Wolf, Jon Albertson, and Cheryl Wanner.
Events are hosted at multiple venues throughout Rockaway Beach, encouraging visitors to explore local lodging, restaurants, shops, and public spaces. By anchoring the festival in April, RWR supports local businesses during the shoulder season while reinforcing Rockaway Beach’s growing reputation as a year-round cultural destination.
A highlight of the weekend is the annual RWR Anthology, a professionally produced collection of selected poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and songwriting from both youth and adult writers. Proceeds from the event support arts scholarships for Tillamook County high school students pursuing creative studies.
To purchase tickets and see the weekend’s full schedule, visit rbwriters.com.
About NCAM
The Neah-Kah-Nie Coast Arts Music & Cultural Foundation (NCAM) is an all-volunteer nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to arts and cultural opportunities in Rockaway Beach and throughout Tillamook County. Through festivals, performances, educational initiatives, and scholarships, NCAM fosters creativity, strengthens community, and supports the next generation of artists.
