The Lion Rock Visiting Writers Series schedules readings every quarter and features nationally known writers reading their own work. We have hosted  winners of the MacArthur Genius Award, WA State Poets Laureate, and recipients of Catamundo, Whiting, Guggenheim, Lannan, and NEA Fellowships, and other major prizes.

Each spring, students enrolled in ENG 568 and ENG 468: Contemporary Writers Colloquium (graduate and upper-level multi-genre writing workshops, respectively), meet with three visiting writers from the Lion Rock Visiting Writers Series. We also sponsor talks by professional editors and publishers, readings by faculty and students, including open mics, and an annual reading for students who have their work published in CWU's literary magazine, Manastash.

Past readers in the Lion Rock Visiting Writers Series include Natalie Diaz, Eduardo Corral, Elissa Washuta, Lucia Perillo, Anthony Doerr, Jos Charles, Major Jackson, Kim Barnes, Linda Bierds, David Guterson, David Wojahn, Prageeta Sharma, and many others.

The Series wishes to thank our many generous sponsors, including the College of Arts and Humanities, CWU Libraries, Museum of Culture and Environment, The Wildcat Shop, Karen Gookin, Len Thayer Grants, Humanities Washington, S&A, President's Office/Diversity and Inclusivity, the WGSS Program, The Douglas Honors College, and many partnerships across departments, schools, and the Kittitas Community, including those with Kittitas County Regional Library Board, One Book One County Program, Ellensburg Public Library, and Gallery One.

• 2022-2023 Visiting Writers

• 2021-2022 Visiting Writers

• 2020-2021 Visiting Writers

• 2019-2020 Visiting Writers

• 2018-2019 Visiting Writers

• 2017-2018 Visiting Writers

• 2016-2017 Visiting Writers

• 2015-2016 Visiting Writers

• 2014-2015 Visiting Writers

• 2013-2014 Visiting Writers

• 2012-2013 Visiting Writers

• 2011-2012 Visiting Writers

• 2010-2011 Visiting Writers