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AUGUST 2023 ONLINE WRITING SHOW | Writing Conference Confidential
A writing conference planner, a literary agent, and a conference guest walk into a (Zoom) room…
As the 21st Annual James River Writers Conference approaches, we will hear key perspectives about what to expect from a writing conference, how to get the most out of your time there, and a rundown of dos and don’ts to help you make sense of it all! Here’s what we’ll cover:
- JRW Director of Programs & Communications, Brynn Markham, will share an overview of our upcoming fall conference, including the inside scoop on new and returning opportunities, and help you plan to be your most comfortable, authentic self.
- Literary Agent Saritza Hernandez will reveal the greatest hits and catastrophes they’ve experienced on the receiving end of agent meetings and provide tips to make the most of your one-on-one appointment, no matter where you are on your writing journey.
- JRW Executive Director, Katharine Herndon, will pull it all together, pairing her behind-the-scenes perspective from her involvement in the JRW Annual Conference for nearly two decades, with her experience as an attendee at non-JRW writing conferences and agent meetings. She’s been there, done that!
Moderator Bill Blume has also been around the conference block, and as he guides the discussion, he’ll share his insights as a speaker, moderator, teacher, and one of a handful of people who has been to every one of JRW’s conferences.
Whether you’re planning to attend our conference in October or are just curious, this Writing Show will reveal the ins and outs of successful conference attendance, leaving you better prepared to rock a weekend of community, inspiration, and education!
Note that we’re offering this Writing Show at a special discounted rate!
Speakers: Literary Agent Saritza Herndandez, Katharine Herndon, Brynn Markham
Moderator: Bill Blume
Date: Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern Time
Location: ONLINE, via Zoom
Cost: $5 Members | $7 Non-members
Registration is required and closes at midnight on August 28
The Writing Show includes a social time from 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm. This portion of the evening is optional. If you choose to only attend the panel discussion, please sign in to Zoom by 6:25 pm to keep from interrupting the panel discussion once it begins at 6:30pm.
This program is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
SPEAKERS
Saritza Hernandez of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency came to agenting from a publishing industry background and has been a literary agent for 12 years. Based in Orlando, Florida, she is a passionate advocate of the BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ communities. She enjoys fresh voices in Children’s and Adult commercial fiction and select non-fiction.
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Katharine Herndon was a fan of James River Writers even before they hired her. She has attended every conference and well over a hundred Writing Shows. She served on the JRW board in a variety of roles, including executive secretary, co-chair of the 2011 conference committee, and membership chair. She has earned a 120-hour certificate in Nonprofit Management and completed the Emerging Nonprofit Leadership Program. Throughout her time with JRW, she has prioritized service to the literary community, and has served as a judge for the Virginia High School League and the local Scholastic awards, as well as being a panelist for selecting the Visual Arts Center of Richmond’s first Writer in Residence, Richmond’s first Poet Laureate, and the Virginia Commission for the Arts’ Artist Fellowship in Poetry. Katharine’s work has been published by RVA indie press Sink/Swim in The Great Richmond Zombie Book and appears in the anthology River Town, and the Richmond-based anthology River City Secrets. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, Davidson College, and St. Catherine’s School.
Brynn Markham is passionate about connecting people and organizations in ways that strengthen communities and amplify the strengths and talents of everyone involved. She joined James River Writers in February 2020, as Director of Programs and Communications and was tasked with leading efforts to move the annual conference online to continue to meet the needs of the JRW writing community in the virtual space. She has enjoyed planning two online conferences and is currently planning her second in-person writing conference. Brynn has also taught several JRW classes on marketing and audience engagement for writers. Prior to joining James River Writers, she spearheaded nationally recognized and award-winning marketing campaigns and events in her communications and outreach role at VPM, Richmond’s PBS and NPR affiliate. Projects she’s especially proud of include: The Great American Read; Ken Burns’ The Vietnam War; Great Performances’ Hamilton’s America; PBS KIDS Summer Challenge; and the nation’s largest screening events for series premieres of Downton Abbey two years in a row. Prior to her tenure at VPM PBS/NPR, Brynn worked with First Book, helping children in underserved areas gain access to books to tackle the literacy gap. Before having her son and changing her career path, she worked as a Senior Accountant in Orlando, Florida, for a national Real Estate Investment Trust, for 8 years. She studied accounting at the University of Central Florida, and then Nonprofit Management at Virginia Commonwealth University.
MODERATOR
Bill Blume discovered his love for the written word while in high school and has been writing ever since. His latest book West of Apocalypse comes out August 2023. His short stories have been published in many fantasy anthologies and various ezines. Like the father figure in his debut novel Gidion’s Hunt, Bill has worked as a 911 dispatcher for more than 20 years.
See Richmond CultureWorks for other literary events in the area.