Writing Matters Conference

The Department of English, Languages, and Philosophy invites college students—including dual-credit students—and community members, colleagues, friends, and family to the Second Annual Writing Matters conference, February 19-20, 2026, on the main campus of the College of Southern Idaho.

Speakers

H. Thad Scholes* Memorial Keynote Address: Mikel Vause

Featured Author: Sarah Vause

The featured authors will offer readings of their works and conduct Q&A sessions, all of which are open to the public. Conference schedule to come.

Submissions

Idaho high school and college students—including dual-credit students—enrolled from 2021 forward and who have not yet attended graduate school are invited to submit works in several categories. Please see additional details on the submissions page.

Submission deadline: January 31, 2026

Submissions limited to high school and college students in Idaho. Please use your institutional email below (*@csi.edu, *@isu.edu, etc.). Dual enrollment students are eligible and are encouraged to submit.
Total presentation time for any accepted paper, creative piece(s), or film is 15 minutes.
Students whose work is accepted will present at the conference in one of several student sessions which are also open to the public.
Celebrate the written word and worlds of imagination, literary analysis, creativity, and more.

Submit your Writing

*Longtime friend of the college and member of the CSI Board of Trustees