The City of Edmonds Arts Commission launched planning for the first conference in 1985 under the guidance of commissioner, author and writing instructor Ann Saling. Approximately 100 people attended the first conference, a single-day event held in late 1986.
As a program of an arts commission, the inaugural planning committee established the conference's primary focus on the craft of writing. Informational sessions regarding the publishing industry, marketing, author promotion and the business of writing were added to the schedule, but the focus remains on writing craft of fiction, nonfiction and poetry.
The conference, held over 3 days, features over 30 workshops, sessions and panel discussions for all levels and interests. A limited admission of approximately 200 attendees makes WOTS the perfect place to spark your creativity, share ideas, receive up-to-date publishing industry information and network with other writers.