James River Writers Literary Awards & Contests
Emyl Jenkins Award | Shann Palmer Poetry Contest
Best Self-Published Novel Contest | Best Unpublished Novel Contest
James River Writers is proud to offer regular opportunities for writers to amplify their work…
In partnership with Richmond magazine, James River Writers offers annual writing contests on a three-year sequence. Contests are open to those living in Virginia, including students attending a Virginia college or university.
- 2024: Shann Palmer Poetry Contest encourages Virginia poets to share their best work. Submissions accepted January 5 through February 29.
- 2025: Best Self-published Novel Contest recognizes the writing talents and entrepreneurial skills of indie authors living in Virginia.
- 2026: Best Unpublished Novel Contest unearths the best unpublished fiction of aspiring authors living in Virginia.
Emyl Jenkins Award – Awarded Annually
Each year, JRW recognizes someone who, as Emyl Jenkins did, inspires a love of writing and writing education in Virginia.
These programs are supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.