Stories By the Sea River Festival Schedule

2026 Stories by the River Festival - Event Descriptions

January 29th (pre-festival event)

Feb“word”ary Kick-Off Meeting

Hosted by the Columbia County Authors Alliance

During February, local writers band together to participate in a month-long writing challenge. Join in the fun at this kick-off meeting. Option to purchase food or drink. Led by local author Jana Mann.

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Sunshine Pizza, 2124 Columbia Blvd, St Helens

February 14th

Columbia County Authors Special Collection Launch Event

Hosted by the St. Helens Public Library

The St. Helens Public Library has created a special collection of books by authors who live or work in Columbia County, or who belong to the St. Helens Writers Guild or the Scappoose Public Library Writing Group. Celebrate the establishment of this important collection, meet the authors, and peruse the books.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

St. Helens Public Library, Columbia Center, 375 S. 18th Street, St. Helens

St. Helens Writers Guild Meeting

Hosted by the Columbia County Authors Alliance

Share what you’re working on, participate in creative writing exercises, and meet other local writers. Led by local author Jana Mann.

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Auditorium, Columbia Center, 375 S. 18th Street, St. Helens

February 17th

Write-In

Hosted by the Columbia County Authors Alliance

Connect with other writers informally, talk about your work in progress, and get some words down on the page. Led by local author Ellen Jacobson.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Beyond the Forest Coffee Shop, 230 S 1st Street, St. Helens

St. Helens Public Library Book Club

Hosted by the St. Helens Public Library

This month’s book club pick is Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson. Ernest Cunningham, an author who writes books about how to write books, joins his family at an Australian ski resort to celebrate his brother’s release from prison. What results is a “witty twist on classic whodunits…” (Maureen Corrigan, Washington Post). Led by Library Assistant Tari Johnson.

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Auditorium, Columbia Center, 375 S. 18th Street, St. Helens

February 19th

Author Panel: Pathways to Publishing

Hosted by the Columbia County Authors Alliance

How can you get your words in front of other eyes? What does it mean to “be published” and how the heck do you do it? Hear from local authors who have uncovered a variety of ways, from traditional to self-published (and in between), to go from “writer” to “author.” Q&A to follow. Led by local author Mike Exinger.

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Auditorium, Columbia Center, 375 S. 18th Street, St. Helens

February 20th

Late Night Write-In

Hosted by the Columbia County Authors Alliance

Connect with other writers informally, talk about your work in progress, and get some words down on the page during this special Feb“word”ary write-in. Bring money to chip in for pizza (optional). Led by local author Jana Mann.

6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Auditorium, Columbia Center, 375 S. 18th Street, St. Helens

February 22nd

Open Mic Night

Hosted by the Columbia County Authors Alliance

Enjoy readings by local authors, along with stand-up comedy and live music. Held monthly by Beyond the Forest.

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Beyond the Forest Coffee Shop, 230 S 1st Street, St. Helens

February 24th

Whodunit? An Interactive Mystery Event

Hosted by the Columbia County Authors Alliance

Examine a crime scene, search for clues, and try to figure out whodunit in this interactive event. Led by cozy mystery authors Ellen Jacobson and Tamelia Aday.

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Auditorium, Columbia Center, 375 S. 18th Street, St. Helens

February 28th

Writers Workshop: Finding Story Ideas

Hosted by the Columbia County Authors Alliance

Can't find the car keys? Sorry... Can't find the scissors? Oops... Can't find a story idea? I can help with that! This workshop is all about finding stories - it's so much easier than hunting for keys or scissors! "Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day." (The Writing Cooperative). Led by local author Jana Mann.

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Auditorium, Columbia Center, 375 S. 18th Street, St. Helens

March 3rd

Pen & Perspective: In Conversation with Local Authors

Hosted by the St. Helens Public Library

Readers will learn how local authors choose what to write about, their writing process, and hear short passages from the authors’ books. There will be time for questions from the audience. Moderated by Library Director Suzanne Bishop.

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Auditorium, Columbia Center, 375 S. 18th Street, St. Helens

March 5th

Writers Workshop: Kickstart Your Short Story (Registration Requested)

Hosted by the Columbia County Authors Alliance

This hands-on workshop will teach you story structure, help you develop your idea, and provide time to start writing. Perfect for fiction writers working in any short form—whether you're aiming for 1,000 words or 5,000. Leave with an opening scene and a roadmap to finish your story. Led by local author Sharon Hughson.

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Auditorium, Columbia Center, 375 S. 18th Street, St. Helens

March 7th

St. Helens Public Library Family Storytime

Hosted by the St. Helens Public Library

Join us for a very special storytime with local children’s book authors reading from their books, plus movement and singing. This program is part of the monthly Family Storytime series held the first Monday of every month. Led by St. Helens Public Library Youth Librarian Jana Wiersma.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Auditorium, Columbia Center, 375 S. 18th Street, St. Helens

Feb“word”ary Writing Challenge Celebration

Hosted by the Columbia County Authors Alliance

Celebrate the completion of Feb”word”ary writing challenge and listen to readings from participants. Led by local author Jana Mann.

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Auditorium, Columbia Center, 375 S. 18th Street, St. Helens

March 10th

St. Helens Public Library Adults & Crafts – Handmade Journals (Registration Required)

Hosted by the St. Helens Public Library

Every writer needs a place to record their ideas, and what better place than in a handmade journal. Who knows? Maybe it will inspire you to write a bestseller. Or maybe just use it for grocery lists and to-dos. We are pretty sure you’ll have fun making one, however you decide to use it! Led by Library Technician Nicole Woodruff.

5:15 PM - 6:30 PM

Auditorium, Columbia Center, 375 S. 18th Street, St. Helens

March 12th

Write-In

Hosted by the Columbia County Authors Alliance

Connect with other writers informally, talk about your work in progress, and get some words down on the page. Led by local author Mike Exinger.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Cathedral Coffee, 33555 E Columbia Ave, Scappoose

March 14th

Local Author Book Sale

Hosted by the Columbia County Authors Alliance

Meet local authors, buy some books, and get them signed!

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Auditorium, Columbia Center, 375 S. 18th Street, St. Helens

Anthology Release Celebration

Hosted by the Columbia County Authors Alliance

Join us in celebrating the release of the inaugural Lower Columbia County Writers Anthology, Hidden World.

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Auditorium, Columbia Center, 375 S. 18th Street, St. Helens

Revised 01.12.2026