May is Membership Month—Join between May 1 & June 2 and save 10%!
James River Writers membership has been steadily increasing this past year as more and more writers see the benefits of belonging to a dynamic writing community. Over the past few months, we’ve been edging closer to 500 members. To put us over this important milestone, we’ve reduced individual and family memberships by 10% through June 2, 2019, and are encouraging you to join today in The Push to 500!
Give your writing (and your wallet) a boost! Take advantage of these special rates, while supporting the work of other writers in Central Virginia!
From now until June 2, 2019:
- Regular individual membership: $45. Membership Month rate: $41.50. You save $4.50!
- Regular family membership: $75. Membership Month rate: $67.50. You save 7.50!
With your savings, buy yourself a cup of coffee or tea (and, if you purchase a family membership, one for your spouse, too!) while writing at your favorite coffee shop. Invite your friends and family members to join you.
There’s no better way to invest in your writing!
Emyl Jenkins Award nominations are open through July 31, 2019
To honor the memory of Emyl Jenkins, who passed away in 2010, James River Writers presents an award to an outstanding individual who, as Emyl did, inspires a love of writing and writing education in Virginia.
An advocate for writers and their readers, Emyl had a knack for connecting both people and organizations. She shared her time and expertise with everyone she encountered. She encouraged writers at all levels, especially fledglings trying to get those first words down on the page. Her generous spirit and enthusiasm rubbed off on everyone she touched, and, like ripples in a pond, her actions widened the circle of writing encouragement.
A winner of the 2019 award will be someone who best matches Emyl Jenkins’ efforts to make Virginia a better place for writers, whether by connecting people and/or organizations around the written word, sharing time and expertise about writing, or simply encouraging writers to do what they do.
Nominations accepted May 1 through July 31, 2019
Any Virginia individual is eligible, except for members of the JRW board of directors, the advisory board, or staff.
May 2019 Writing Show: Making Freelance Writing Financially Rewarding
Have you ever wished your writing skills could earn you an income? They can! Learn about finding clients, managing your writing business, pitching ideas, researching for stories, generating story ideas, and marketing your skills as a freelance writer.
Date: Wednesday, May 29, 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
Ellen Kanzinger
Ellen Kanzinger is the travel editor at Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. In addition to writing for the magazine, she also shoots photos and video to accompany her story. Ellen is a recent graduate of Washington and Lee University and a long time lover of the outdoors.
Website: ellenmkanzinger.com
Twitter: @ekanzinger
Instagram: @photo.zinger
Sushma Subramanian
Sushma Subramanian is an assistant professor of English specializing in journalism at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia. She is also a freelance science writer whose work has been published in magazines including Discover, Slate, and Scientific American Mind. She is a two-time finalist for the Livingston Award for Young Journalists.
Website: sushmasubramanian.com
Twitter: @sushmaaaaaaaa
Megan Wilson
Megan Wilson is a freelance journalist, blogger, and content strategist. Her writing can be discovered at sweetsauceblog.com, across a variety of publications, and on her client’s websites.
Website: sweetsauceblog.com
Twitter: @SweetSauceBlog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SweetSauceBlog/
Instagram: sweetsauceblog
MODERATOR
Karen A. Chase is an author and a Daughter of the American Revolution with the Commonwealth Chapter in Virginia. Her first novel, Carrying Independence, fiction about the signing of the Declaration of Independence, debuts June 11th. Karen will be a Virginia Foundation for the Humanities fellow for the 2019-2020 academic year, with full residency at the Library of Virginia. Originally from Canada, Karen is now chasing histories from Richmond, VA.
Website: karenachase.com
Blog: karenachase.com/blog
Facebook: KarenAChaseAuthor
Twitter: @KarenAChase
Writers in the Park
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2019
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Maymont Farm, at the corner of Spottswood Road and Shirley Lane, Richmond, VA, 23220
Price: Free and open to the public
James River Writers invites you to come write with us, taking in the fresh air and beauty of Maymont. No matter who you are, whether you consider yourself a “professional writer” or not, join us for this free, public event including inspiration and writing prompts from:
- Bestselling novelist and JRW co-founder David Robbins
- Author and Diversity Richmond Deputy Director Rodney Lofton
- Middle-grade and picture book author Lana Krumweide
- Poet and debut author Hope Whitby
- And more
There will be genre-specific meet-ups for writers of memoir, poetry, nonfiction, mysteries and thrillers, women’s fiction, and fantasy, as well as a chance to spin the Wheel of Prizes for anyone in the park wearing James River Writers apparel or making a donation to JRW.
Sometimes, writing is a solitary pursuit, and sometimes, writing is all about finding your community of like-minded wordsmiths. We love our JRW community and look forward to spending some time with you at Maymont from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 1st!
June Master Class: Think Like an Editor with Elizabeth Ferris
A good editor doesn’t just check for typos and run-on sentences. They help you see your work in a whole new way—bringing out your writerly strengths and assisting you in giving life to the best version of the story inside you. Every writer is capable of learning the tools that good editors use to do this. This class will show you how to break down your work—looking at it at the level of content, structure, and language to see what’s working for you, and what you may wish to consider differently.
Writer and Life in 10 Minutes Press Executive Editor Elizabeth Ferris will share with participants the questions she uses to approach every manuscript she edits as well as frameworks and tips that have helped other writers achieve their best books, stories, and essays. We’ll read and discuss excerpts from published works and practice analyzing and asking questions about our own writing. Writers of all experience levels will come away with a new ally in their writing process—an inner editing voice that is practiced, compassionate, and effective. For writers of fiction and nonfiction.
Date: Saturday, June 22, 2019
Time: 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Location: Visual Arts Center of Richmond, 1812 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
Price: $65 – Members; $80 Non-members
INSTRUCTOR
Elizabeth Ferris
Elizabeth Ferris is an editor, writer, and writing teacher at Life in 10 Minutes and its sister organization, Richmond Young Writers. She currently serves as the executive editor for Life in 10 Minutes Press, a mission-driven small press based in Richmond, Virginia. Elizabeth loves using teaching to make connections with other writers and help writers make connections with each other. Website: elizabethferris.com
What is your favorite James River Writers event?
