2019 Writing Show Season Passes available now!

James River Writers is excited to be back at Firehouse Theatre for the 2019 season of The Writing Show. Held the last Wednesday of most months, January through September, (see the March exception below), The Writing Show offers a panel of experts focused on topics geared to help writers with both their craft and navigating the fast-changing business of writing. There are plenty of opportunities for socializing and networking with other central Virginia writers, too. Our fabulous co-chairs this year are Melissa Scott Sinclair and Amanda Sue Creasey.

Buy a Writing Show Season Pass today for you and give one as a present to a writer in your life. With a season pass you can attend all nine shows for $85 (compared to $108 for members and $135 for non-members). Or bundle a season pass with a JRW annual membership, and save even more!

2019 Writing Show Season (*Topics are subject to change):

January 30 – Balancing Writing and Life: Inspiration and Practical Strategies
February 27 – How to Permanently Banish Writer’s Block
March 20 – Writing a Killer Synopsis (Note the date change! This is the THIRD Wednesday, this month only.)
April 24 – How to Sell the Heck Out of Your Book
May 29 – Making Freelance Writing Financially Rewarding
June 26 – Building Relationships with Bookstore Owners and Librarians
July 31 – Defining and Finding Your Audience
August 28 – I Finished My Book (Poem, Screenplay)—Now What? (Path to Publication Part I)
September 25 – People Skills for Writers (Path to Publication Part II)

More information about The Writing Show, including times and location.

Best Self-Published Novel Contest

James River Writers and Richmond magazine recognize the writing talents and entrepreneurial skills of indie authors by continuing The Best Self-Published Novel Contest, which we started in 2014. One first-prize winner will receive $500 and a ticket to the annual James River Writers Conference (worth $250). The winner is announced in a fall issue of Richmond magazine and in October at the conference. Press releases will also recognize the winner.

The contest is open now and closes February 28, 2019.

We’re excited to announce that this year’s contest judge is Katherine Lowry Logan.

For rules and submission information, visit BEST SELF-PUBLISHED NOVEL CONTEST

January 2019 Writing Show: Balancing Writing and Life: Inspiration and Practical Strategies

Every year, you vow that this will be the year you finish your novel/screenplay/memoir. And every year, life gets in the way. Start 2019 off with a healthy dose of inspiration and practical strategies for protecting and nurturing your writing life. Learn how to write without judgment or intimidation, and how to take care of your creative self.

Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Time: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Doors open at 6:00; meet & greet 6:00-6:45; program starts at 6:45)

Location: Firehouse Theatre 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA, 23220

Price: $12 – Members; $15 Non-members ($5 for students)

SPEAKERS

Mark Cheatham

Marc Cheatham is a freelance writer and photographer. In 2011, he launched The Cheats Movement blog, a platform that celebrates the Richmond region as a hub for music, art, culture, and diversity. The Cheats Movement Blog has been voted one of the best blogs in Richmond, and Marc has become one of the leading voices for Richmond’s hip-hop community. Professionally, Marc serves as Director of Constituent Services and Casework for Senator Tim Kaine. He is married to Aria Cheatham, and together they have a four-year-old son named Cameron.

Valley Haggard

Valley Haggard is a writer, teacher, mother, coffee drinker, and the founder of Life in 10 Minutes journal, podcast, and press. She co-edited Nine Lives: a Life in 10 Minutes Anthology and wrote The Halfway House for Writers and Surrender Your Weapons: Writing to Heal and feels like each class she teaches turns into a stunning work of performance art. You can find her writing and writing from people around the world at lifein10minutes.com.

Rachel Beanland

Rachel Beanland is the deputy director of the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. She also writes essays and fiction and is earning her MFA in creative writing at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her essays have appeared in Creative Nonfiction, Broad Street, R-Home magazine and several other publications. Her novel, Florence Adler Swims Forever, is currently out on submission.

Website: rachelbeanland.com
Twitter: @rachelbeanland

MODERATOR

Kristen Green

Kristen Green is a longtime journalist and the author of Something Must Be Done about Prince Edward County, a New York Times bestseller. Kristen is currently serving as writer-in-residence at the Library of Virginia.

Website: KristenGreen.net
Twitter: @kgreen
Facebook: KristenGreenAuthor

What is your favorite James River Writers event?

James River Writers Annual Writing Conference

JRW’s signature event connects Central Virginia’s growing literary community with nationally recognized authors, editors, agents, bloggers, and other players in the publishing world.

This casual meet and greet, held the second Wednesday of every month at Ardent Craft Ales in Scott’s Addition, brings together writers of every genre in a casual atmosphere to connect, laugh, and revel in a well-deserved break from keyboards and screens.

Master Classes, where skilled publishing professionals share their knowledge and experience with a small group of writers, are offered at different times and on various topics throughout the year.

In partnership with the Poe Museum, we recreate the grand tradition of the literary salon, an intimate setting to meet and fraternize with local authors and artists, as they in turn guide you in your own writing practice. Literary Salons are held several times a year at the Patrick Henry Pub in historic Church Hill, and are free and open to the public.

Educational and interactive, The Writing Show brings you the art and business of writing from the professionals. It’s inspiring. It’s fun. And it’s only happening live in Richmond.

Writers Farmhouse welcomes members of JRW and other writing enthusiasts to the Midlothian Urban Farmhouse Market & Café every Thursday evening. Bring your laptop or other writing paraphernalia, hang out, get a cup of coffee, get some words written, set your writing goals for the week, and, when needed, find a sympathetic ear.

What is James River Writers all about?

James River Writers builds community by connecting and inspiring writers and readers in central Virginia. We invite you to join our mission by becoming a member or a donor today.