The Best Unpublished Novel Contest is now open, through February 28!
Enter for the chance to win $500, publication of an excerpt in the fall issue of Richmond magazine, a ticket to the annual James River Writers Conference, and feedback on your manuscript.
Contest details and submission guidelines HERE.
This programming is supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly.
James River Writers is pleased to announce Robin Traywick Williams of Crozier, for The Key to the Quarter Pole, as the first place winner of the JRW and Richmond Magazine 2015 Best Unpublished Novel Contest. Gail Giewont, and Vivian Lawry, both of Richmond, have been selected as finalists for Unguided and Nettie’s Books, respectively.
The Best Unpublished Novel Contest, initially held in 2008 and now offered every other year, is at the heart of James River Writers’ mission of connecting and inspiring readers and writers. In the alternating years, James River Writers offers the Shann Palmer Poetry Contest and Best Self-published Novel Contest, providing exposure and encouragement to a wide range of Virginia’s author talent.
Kirsten Lopresti, finalist in the 2009 Best Unpublished Novel (BUN) Contest, credits the feedback she received from judge and author Susann Cokal for helping her elevate her winning entry into an acclaimed debut novel, Bright Coin Moon, published in November by Sky Pony Press.
Cokal describes Bright Coin Moon as “Anywhere But Here for a new decade. Lopresti hits all the high notes in a story that’s wrenching, ripping, and often laugh-out-loud funny.”
We caught up with Lopresti to learn more about her novel, talk about the impact of James River Writers, and highlight the power of contests for writers.More
James River Writers is pleased to announce that the final judge for the Best Unpublished Novel competition will be Maya Payne Smart. Maya is a writer and literacy ambassador who shares reviews, interviews, and musings at MayaSmart.com and BookRiot.com. She served on the boards of the YWCA of Richmond and The Community Foundation serving Richmond and Central Virginia. She also raised funds and awareness for numerous local nonprofits including FRIENDS Association for Children and The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund. She is a former chair of James River Writers and served on the national board of governors of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers. Her honors include Style Weekly’s 40 under 40 Award and an Excellence in Journalism Award from The Press Club of Cleveland.More