The Writers’ Series began in Yachats in June 1997. 

Initially, three famous regional, national, or emerging authors were invited to Yachats the third Saturday of every month to read their work and answer questions from the audience. The readings were held in progressively larger classrooms at the Yachats Commons, a converted elementary school. After the featured authors read or performed their work, an open mike was held where audience members could read their original work for up to five minutes.

During the first year and a half, 51 featured authors read to room-capacity audiences.

In 1999, because the of the program's popularity, the Writers Series moved thirty miles north to Newport, in response to an offer by the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts to hold events at the Performing Arts Center. In honor of the site's historic bohemian location, the program was renamed the Nye Beach Writers' Series. It was soon necessary to create a separate nonprofit so that Writers On The Edge could apply for grants and address program development.

Writers On The Edge was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2002 and immediately expanded its programming to include in-school, after school, and summer writing workshops for youth, writing workshops for adults, and various special live literary events such as the Annual Oregon Coast Instant Haiku Slam Classic that takes place every April in celebration of Poetry Month.
 
Writers On The Edge celebrated it's tenth birthday in June 2007. Founder Carla Perry was awarded the Stewart Holbrook Special Award at the Oregon Book Awards for her “outstanding contribution to Oregon’s literary community.” She also received the Oregon Governor's Art Award for her efforts with Writers On The Edge.

Thus far, almost 300 authors have appeared at the Nye Beach Writers' Series, which has become one of the nation's premier literary venues.


Authors who would like to be considered for future readings, click here.