Poe Inspires Contest Now Open!

Poe Inspires Contest graphic and image of Poe

Poe has been a major influence on authors as diverse as Arthur Conan Doyle and Neil Gaiman, and he continues to inspire new generations of artists. Has he been significant to your own development as a writer? Please send us poetry and flash fiction that demonstrate his influence, whether you’ve been inspired by Poe’s use of the grotesque, his theory of the unified effect, or his pioneering work in science fiction and the detective story. No matter what he wrote, Poe imbued his work with a relentless creative spirit—that’s what we’re hoping to find in your submissions.

Show how Poe has inspired you!

The Fine Print
Theme: Poe Inspires
Contest Opens: November 1, 2018
Contest Closes: November 30, 2018, at 11:59 pm EST
Winners Notified: The first week of January 2019

Rules:
There is no age restriction and no entry fee.
All rights for the work remain with the author.
One entry per person. (You must choose either fiction or poetry.)
All entries must be 250 words or less and submitted using this form.
Board Members and Employees of James River Writers and the Poe Museum may not enter.

Prizes: One fiction and one poetry winner will each receive a coveted Golden Poe. Final entries will be displayed at the PoeMuseum’s annual Birthday Bash celebration on January 19, 2019, and winners and select entrants will be invited to read their work. Additionally, winners will be published in Get Your Word On (circulation of 4500+) and on the James River Writers and Poe Museum websites.

Winners will be notified and announced to the public the first week of January.

The form to enter can be found here: 4th Annual Poe Inspires Contest Entry.

Master Class: Secrets to an Irresistible First Page

 

Secrets to Irresistible First Pages Graphic

Every writer understands the importance of the first page. If the first page isn’t doing its job, agents, editors, and readers will not continue reading to find out how wonderful the rest of your story is. This Master Class is designed for writers who are:

  • Struggling to find the right opening for their novel.
  • Preparing to query their work next year and hoping to catch the eye of an agent.
  • Looking for a head start in crafting a killer entry in the First Pages Panel at the 2019 JRW conference.

We’ll go into detail about all the tasks the first page needs to accomplish—things like introducing the character and balancing action with information—and we’ll discuss how to pack it into a small space. We’ll talk about when a prologue works and when it doesn’t. We’ll analyze published first pages to find out how it’s done. We’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how the entries are chosen for the JRW Conference’s “First Pages” panel. The final hour of the workshop will be a critique of participants’ first pages. You are welcome (but not required) to bring ten copies of your first page and receive feedback from the instructor as well as other participants.

COST: $65 for members; $80 for non-members

LOCATION: Dominion Energy Room, Visual Arts Center of Richmond
1812 West Main Street, Richmond, VA 23220

DETAILS: December 8, 2018, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

REGISTER

INSTRUCTOR

Lana Krumwiede photo

Lana Krumwiede began her writing career by creating stories and poems for publications such as Highlights, High Five, Spider, Babybug, The Friend, and Chicken Soup for the Child’s Soul. Her first novel, Freakling (Candlewick, 2012) was named a finalist for SCBWI’s Crystal Kite Member’s Choice Award and an honor book for the International Reading Association’s Intermediate Fiction Award. Freakling was followed by two more novels, Archon (2013) and True Son (2015). Lana is also the author of the picture book Just Itzy (2015) and editor of the anthology River City Secrets: Stories from Richmond(2016). She lives with her husband and daughter in Midlothian.

 

 

JRW is grateful to the Visual Arts Center of Richmond for generously donating the use of their classroom space.

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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.
JRW Writers Farmhouse
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.
James River Writers Master Classes
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.
James River Writers Literary Salons
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.
James River Writers The Writing Show
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.
JRW Writers Farmhouse
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.