Due to COVID-19 health concerns, all in-person Writing Shows are cancelled until further notice. JRW is currently working to move some of this programming online.
James River Writers is excited to be back at Firehouse Theatre for the 2020 season of The Writing Show. Held the last Wednesday of the month, January through September, 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.
September 30 – Ask Us Anything . . . About Writing (featuring the JRW staff, free show)
*Topics above are subject to change.
Purchase a Writing Show Season Pass or Writing Show Membership and Save!
A Writing Show Season Pass is just $80. You get all eight shows (the ninth is free for everyone) and save almost 20%. For $125 you can get a Writing Show Membership, which includes all eight shows and membership.
Fist fights, street chases, and scenes from our world’s war zones—action scenes can be tricky territory for writers. On one hand, it can be the culmination of built-up tension, the place where the author’s promise is delivered. On the other, a heightened sense of urgency can drive the reader to skim over a blow-by-blow description to get to the result. How much detail is too much? And how can an author keep the readers’ attention while staying true-to-life, in fiction and non-fiction? (Sponsorships available)
Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Meet & Greet at 6:00; program starts at 6:45)
Location: Firehouse Theatre 1609 West Broad Street
Price: $12 – Members; $15 Non-members ($5 for students)
SPEAKERS
Malik Hodari
Malik Hodari is a lawyer and a recipient of the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam, where he served from October 1966 to October 1967. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Harris Stowe State Teachers University, a master’s from Michigan State University, and a law degree from North Carolina Central University. Hodari joined the Mighty Pen Project on the recommendation of his Veterans Affairs therapist and began to write about his memories, some of which were suppressed for many years. He found healing in the process and hopes his story will help others.
Erika Orloff
Erica Orloff is the author of the popular Magickeepers series. She writes for YA and adult readers and has had over 25 novels published. She is also the author of the Pushcart-nominated “Choose Me.” Erica has worked in publishing since 1985 as a book editor, book doctor, ghostwriter, and book packager, and acts as a writing coach, as well as being an in-demand speaker. Her most recent publication is a short story in the anthology River City Secrets. She co-owns Editing for Authors, and its sister-company (and publisher) Dragon Tree Books. She can be found at www.ericaorloff.com.
Bill Blume
Bill Blume discovered his love for the written word while in high school and has been writing ever since. He’s the author of the young adult Gidion Keep, Vampire Hunter series. The latest book in the series Gidion’s Blood was published by Diversion Books. His short stories have been in many fantasy anthologies and various ezines. Just like the father figure in his first novel, Bill works as a 911 dispatcher for Henrico County Police and has done so for more than a decade. He’s also a board member for James River Writers and served as the board’s chair in 2013. @BilltheWildcat
MODERATOR
Kris Spisak
With degrees from the College of William & Mary and the University of Richmond, Kris Spisak began her career as a college writing instructor; however, after six years in the classroom, she transitioned to professional writing and editing. Helping writers sharpen their craft was the driving force behind her book Get a Grip on your Grammar: 250 Writing and Editing Reminders for the Curious or Confused (Career Press, 2017). Kris is also pursuing the publication of her first novel.
Digital marketing has taken center stage, but to be effective, you need the right strategies. To whom should you reach out to promote yourself? How often and what do you post? Which social media reaches your audience? Anne Moss Rogers, co-founder and creative director of Impression Marketing, shares her knowledge of branding, advertising and copywriting in the digital world.
Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Meet & Greet at 6:00; program starts at 6:45)
Location: Firehouse Theatre 1609 West Broad Street
Price: $12 – Members; $15 Non-members ($5 for students)
MODERATOR
Melissa Scott Sinclair
Melissa Scott Sinclair spent seven years as a reporter for alt-weekly Style in Richmond, Va. and The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk. She has written about communes, Confederates, mutant catfish and murderous houseguests, winning 21 awards from the Virginia Press Association. In 2012 she was honored with a Best in Show award for her work on an in-depth series examining the lingering legacy of Richmond’s role in the Civil War.
SPEAKER
Anne Moss Rogers
Anne Moss Rogers is co-founder and creative director of Impression Marketing, a full-service, results-oriented marketing agency. As a branding, advertising and copywriting specialist, Anne Moss has focused her talents on digital marketing since 1995. Rogers is a columnist for Richmond Times Dispatch and American Marketing Association Health Services Magazine.
Richmond is a winning combo for writers: Fantastic vibe plus terrific local publications. Phaedra Hise, freelance writer and Contributing Food Editor at Virginia Living, moderates a panel of editors from a cross section of Richmond publications, Jessica Haddad, Richmond Magazine, Karen Schwarzkopf, Richmond Family Magazine, and Matt Dewald, University of Richmond Magazine.
Our experts will talk about their submission process, advice for breaking in, and insider tips for freelancers. Don’t miss local pub night!
Date: Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Meet & Greet at 6:00; program starts at 6:45)
Location: Firehouse Theatre 1609 West Broad Street
Price: $12 – Members; $15 Non-members ($5 for students)
MODERATOR
Phaedra Hise
As a freelance writer and editor, Phaedra Hise explores the trends and drama inherent in entrepreneurship, business, adventure, food and drink. She is the author of five nonfiction books. She is a former Contributor to CNN Money, former Staff Writer for Inc. and current Food Editor for Virginia Living. Phaedra has been the online editor for Inc., Senior Editor for Colloquy and Executive Editor for Edible Richmond.
Her award-winning work has been anthologized and published in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Glamour, Salon, Forbes, Popular Mechanics and Smithsonian. Her most recent book is The Secret Life of Hoarders.
Phaedra has appeared on CNN, Al Jazeera America, CNBC and national radio as an expert commentator, and speaks regularly at conferences and universities about writing. She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband, a former chef. Her social media feed is full of food photographs.
Jessica Haddad is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years’ experience writing, editing and project-managing print and digital content. She is a versatile writer who delivers clear, concise and engaging copy on nearly any topic. Her specialties include feature writing, web development and content management, writing for the web, project management, e-mail marketing, integrated communications strategy, social media, internal communications, copy editing, and AP style. Twitter: RHomeMagazine Web: richmondmagazine.com/home/r-home
Karen Schwarzkopf
Karen Schwartzkopf has her dream job as managing editor of RFM. Wife, mother, arts and sports lover, she lives and works in the West End with her family: husband Scott, who not coincidentally is RFM’s creative director, and their daughters—Sam, Robin, and Lindsey. You can read Karen’s take on parenting in the Editor’s Voice. Twitter: RFMToday Web: richmondfamilymagazine.com
Matt Dewald
Matt Dewald is Editor, University of Richmond Magazine, the alumni magazine and the law school alumni magazine at University of Richmond in Virginia. Prior to that, he was director Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop, the country’s largest humor and human-interest writers’ workshop, hosted every two years at the University of Dayton, the alma mater of Erma Bombeck. He also served as Associate director, communications at the University of Dayton and Editor of University of Dayton Magazine, editor of Dayton Educator magazine, writer and editor for variety of other print and online publications. Twitter: mdewaldRVA Web: Magazine.richmond.edu