ARKANSAS WRITERS HALL OF FAME

MEET THE 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE:
CLARISSA WILLIS

ABOUT THE ARKANSAS WRITERS HALL OF FAME.
In 1989, the Arkansas Writers Conference instituted the Arkansas Writers’ Hall of Fame, with at least one Arkansas writer being named to the Hall of Fame each year. A luncheon on the first day of the conference celebrated the Hall of Fame honoree for the year.

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, an author must have a strong Arkansas connection. Additionally, an author must have published at least three books, won a significant literary award, or demonstrated exceptional ability in column writing, editing, screenwriting, or playwriting.

Past recipients include WCCW members Del Garrett, Dot Hatfield, and Anthony Wood.  Linda Apple, Carla Killough McClafferty, and Laura Castoro, who have previously spoken at the WCCW Conference, are also members. Included in this list is Dusty Richards and True Grit author Clinton Portis.

June 1st, 2024 marked the end of an 80 year educational tradition supporting the craft of writing. With the theme of The Joy of Writing, the 80th Arkansas Writers’ Conference was brought to a close by Conference Director Brenda Iannacone. In her closing remarks, she announced this would also be the last Arkansas Writers’ Conference. The Arkansas Writers’ Conference board of directors met earlier in the year and made the difficult decision to bring an end to the conference.

Although the conference ends, the tradition of honoring an Arkansas writer of merit will continue. White County Creative Writers has agreed, and is honored, to accept stewardship of the Arkansas Writers’ Hall of Fame.

The tradition will continue at the 30th annual White County Creative Writers’ conference, held in Searcy, Arkansas on June 14, 2025.

The following is a list of previous recipients of the Arkansas Writers Hall of Fame award.

 

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