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Young Writers Program
Get Lit!'s Young Writers Program’s mission is to fuel the dreams of our region’s youngest writers, taking particular care to extend our programming to low-income and rural schools. Sending writers into schools exposes young people to the power of language, expands the strength and potential of their own writing, and gives them a writing experience that is meaningful and positive. The Young Writers Program shines a fresh and joyful light on regional literature, and through writing exercises helps students to develop their own voices and value their own perceptions of life.
Two levels of programming are offered: Authors Tour of Schools and Writers in Residence. While differing in delivery and duration, these programs generate enormous excitement about reading, writing and books. Participating authors bring to life the lessons that English teachers work to deliver from September to June. Our authors and writers represent a variety of genres, including literary fiction and nonfiction, science fiction, poetry, children's books, young adult novels, journalism, and drama.
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What Participants Say:
“It was the best learning experience of school this year.”
— Garfield fifth and sixth graders
“I don’t know where I’m going to get the money, but I just can’t let this program go away,”
—Gordon Grassi, principal of North Pines Middle School , as he signed up for a third year of WiR.
“I learned that your rough drafts don’t have to be perfect. You learn about others as well as yourself.”
—Tenth-grader at Barker Alternative High School
“I've grown as a very deep feeling writer, and I've improved by writing more.”
— Garfield fifth and sixth grader
“I can let out all my love. It’s exciting to write poetry.”
—Third-grader, Garfield Elementary
“She talks about writing all the time. This has been the greatest program for her.”
—Parent of fourth-grader, Trentwood Elementary
“I have learned that writing isn’t just expressed in words. It’s expressed in feeling and passion.”
—North Pines sixth grader
“I have gained valuable ideas and tools to use examples and good writing to motivate reluctant writers.”
—Trevor Zehm, North Pines Middle School sixth-grade teacher.
“I learned that good writing takes concentration and courage.”
— Fifth grader, Trentwood
“Be prepared to have a bunch of fun.”
— Garfield fifth and sixth grader
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Authors Tour of Schools sends local authors across northeastern Washington and northern Idaho into schools where geographic remoteness and/or tight funding normally preclude such appearances. (Open to rural and low-income schools.)
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Writers-in-Residence Project provides students with strong writing skills, the joy of self-discovery, and a meaningful experience with the writing process. This eight-month program immerses students in the thinking, dreaming and generation of ideas that make up the roots of all powerful writing. (Open to low-income and rural schools.)
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The Get Lit! Festival offers those in the Northwest a grand opportunity to celebrate writing and story telling. It includes a literary kids' concert and poetry slams for youth and teens, author presentations and readings, writing workshops and panels, and other lively events.
For more information about the program, sponsoring or becoming a friend of the program, please eMail the young writers program at,
Attention High School Students
Check out Get Lit! writing workshops and panels on Saturday, April 19th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attending the panels is free, and high school students qualify for the student discount for workshop registrations.
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