2025 Fishtrap Writer-in-Residence
Fishtrap is excited to welcome Eric Braman to Wallowa County in 2025 as Fishtrap’s Writer-in-Residence. Eric spending six weeks in our community between February and June. In addition to gathering inspiration from this beautiful corner of Oregon for his own creative work, Eric will be inspiring youth in our local schools, teaching an adult workshop this spring, and much more. Watch this page for the latest!
About Eric Braman
Eric (they/them) is a poet, playwright, theatre maker, educator, and performer based in Springfield, Oregon. They were raised in Michigan, where a tenacity for niceties and a love of nature was born. Since coming out, their queer identity has pushed their art to explore themes of masculinity, mental health, ancestry, and queer possibility. They are inspired by the dualities of themself and the communities they have called home.
Braman released their premier poetry collection Bury Me in Cherry Blossoms (Cirque Press) in 2024, was a 2022 Oregon Fringe Festival honorarium recipient for their solo show To You/To Myself, and was the featured poet at the 2024 Oregon Poetry Out Loud Final. Braman also collaborated on the album “By Your Side” with musician Cullen Vance. Their work has been published by High Shelf Press, Qu Literary Magazine, Moon Tide Press, The Coachella Review, Tethered Literary, and more. Their poetry and plays have been produced on stages across the United States including Oregon Contemporary Theatre, Chicago’s Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble, Madison’s CapitalQ Theatre Festival, Queer Theatre Kalamazoo, Bigfoot Regional Poetry Slam, Oregon Country Fair, and more. Braman’s poetry and visual art has also been featured in a number of gallery and public installations, including With Words at the Eugene Broadway Commerce Center, “Biology Rising” in the City of Eugene Cultural Currents, “To a Raindrop” in the ArtCity Rain Play Project, and more.
Braman earned their BA in Theatre Performance and Creative Writing from Western Michigan University and MNM in Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon. In addition to writing, they are also a co-founder of Bring Consulting, working with artists, makers, and those who want to feel invigorated in their work, to use creativity as a force for change. They love snow, the oceanside, escaping into the mountains, and sipping on a rich Oregon Pinot Noir. You can often find them wandering into the nearest woods to hike and write. Learn more at www.ericbraman.com and catch them on Instagram @ericwilliambram
About the Fishtrap Writer-in-Residence Program
The last act in mastering your craft is giving it away.
Are you an experienced teaching artist looking to spend time immersed in the community and beauty of rural Wallowa County? Fishtrap Writers-in-Residence have the opportunity to get some creative work done and help inspire local writers of all ages through teaching in local schools, sharing a public reading, and offering your own Fishtrap writing workshop.
A Fishtrap Writer in Residence lasts from 5 -7 weeks and includes a stipend, travel allowance, and lodging. While you are here, Fishtrap will work with you to schedule up to 40 hours of classroom time in Wallowa County schools. You will be asked to lead a one-day adult workshop as part of our local writing workshop series, and have the opportunity to hold a public reading event at Fishtrap’s new home in the historic Bowlby Building. The rest of the time is yours to use to write, be explore the county, and connect with the many local writers in the Fishtrap community.
Who Should Apply
If you are an experienced professional writer who is looking for an opportunity to have time dedicated to creating work and inspire young writers, we want to hear from you. This program is designed to create space for you to work while giving back to remote, rural Wallowa County. Since a Fishtrap Writer in Residence will be spending significant time in Wallowa County schools, proven teaching and classroom management experience, especially at the secondary level, is required. Please contact us to learn more.
NOTE: We are not currently accepting applications for the 2023-24 academic year.
Fishtrap’s Writer-in-Residence program is supported in part by:
