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The James River Writers Conference is designed to help you reach your writing goals, whatever they may be. We have included a mix of sessions that cover both the business side of writing, as well as craft. Tailor the conference offerings to your needs. While the conference add-ons (Agent One-on-One Meetings and Master Classes) need to be selected at the time of registration, you can decide which regular sessions to attend up until the day of the conference. Once you’ve registered, watch this website and your inbox for more conference fun and details, as well as tools to help you make the most of your experience! Schedule and speakers are subject to change.
JRW is offering professional headshots mini sessions as a special conference add-on. You must be registered for the in-person conference to take advantage of this premium option. Details and registration for headshots HERE.
Friday, October 4, 2024 | ONLINE Pre-Conference Master Classes
9:00 am–4:00 pm Eastern | Master Classes (Premium Add-On)
See schedule and pricing for Pre-Conference Master Classes HERE. Please be prepared to make your Master Class choices when you register. You must register for these ahead of time to secure your spot. You may choose to register for Master Classes as an add-on to your in-person ticket, or a la carte, if you’re unable to attend the in-person offerings on Saturday and Sunday. We have nine online Master Classes to choose from
Saturday, October 5, 2024 | In-Person Schedule at the Greater Richmond Convention Center
8:00 am–8:30 am
Newcomers Welcome
Are you new to the James River Writers conference? Join us for a brief overview of what to expect during the conference weekend.
Room: E10D
8:45 am–9:15 am
Welcome and 2024 Awards Presentation
James River Writers Executive Director, Katharine Herndon, welcomes you to Richmond, Virginia, for the 22nd Annual Conference, followed by the presentation of JRW’s 2024 Awards. We will celebrate the Emyl Jenkins Award winner, for inspiring a love of writing in others, and the winner of the 2024 Shann Palmer Poetry Contest.
Opening Poem by Richmond Poet Laureate Joanna S. Lee
Room: E10AB
9:30 am–10:30 am | Breakout Sessions
Wants & Needs:
Writing Characters for Young People
What characters want and what they need can be entirely different things, and the tension between the two can drive your plot. How do you effectively identify engaging wants and needs for young audiences? What types of character goals are likely to hook your reader and keep them coming back for more? Hear from three multi-award-winning authors of all types of books for young people.
Panelists: Jarrett Krosoczka, Amber McBride, Meg Medina
Moderator: Phil Hilliker
Room: E10AB
Twisting the Timeline: Nonlinear Storytelling
Sometimes the best way to tell your tale is not beginning, middle, end, but a twisty route that incorporates multiple timelines, flash backs, or other craft decisions. What can you gain by writing nonlinearly, how do you keep your story organized, and what are some tips for making it work?
Panelists: Cheryl A. Head, Katherine Howe, Nadia Owusu
Moderator: Alethea McCollin
Room: E10C
Author Events
How do you book or get invited to author events at bookstores, libraries, schools, and other venues? What are some dos and don’ts for event participation, and what increases your likelihood of being invited back? Our panel of two event specialists and a sought-after author will help you put your best foot forward in planning your public appearances.
Panelists: Krystle Dandridge, Jennifer Shepley, Hampton Sides
Moderator: Terry Menefee Gau
Room: E10D
WORKSHOP | Somatic Writing with Halle Hill
In this somatic writing workshop, participants will explore expressive writing that emphasizes bodily sensations and physical experiences. Through reading mentor texts, generative exercises, and revision practices, writers will delve into the living self by crafting tangible, tactile language centered on the body. Participants will leave with tips for tapping into emotions, memories, and inner experiences through physical awareness and ideas for body-focused writing pieces.
Room: E11A
9:30 am–12:00 pm | Professional Headshots Mini Sessions (Premium)
It’s time to retire that selfie or that favorite photo from five-plus years ago. You need a professional headshot for your professional life as a writer. We’re here to help! This service is only open to conference registrants.
Details and registration HERE!
Professional headshots will be provided by Jamie Wulfekuhle-Zaweski of Radiant Snapshots.
Times may be subject to change
10:45 am–11:45 am | Breakout Sessions, Workshop, & Headshots
Query Letter Critiques
Your query letter is your first chance to grab an agent’s interest and encourage them to read your work. In this panel, modeled on our popular first-pages critique, query-writing pros will review pre-submitted, anonymous letters and give their on-the-spot reactions to what works, what doesn’t, and whether they’d pass or read the author’s first pages. To submit your query for consideration, CLICK HERE.
Panelists: Rachel Beck, Iwalani Kim, Jennifer Udden
Moderator: Laura Q. Jimenez
Room: E10AB
Business 101 for Writers
Sure, you’re a creative, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect the business side of your writing life. Hear from both a lawyer and an accountant about the often-overlooked aspects of being a successful writer. Come get your questions answered on topics like LLCs, business licenses, protecting your best interests, and more.
Panelists: Joan Davis, David Robinson, CPA
Moderator: Kristi Tuck Austin
Room: E10C
Authentically Peopling Your World
The world is full of so many different kinds of people, and our works have the opportunity to reflect that. Hear from three acclaimed authors about how you can convincingly, sensitively, and authentically populate your worlds with characters like and unlike yourself.
Panelists: Shastri Akella, Cheryl A. Head, Tracey Livesay
Moderator: Annette Marquis
Room: E10D
Promises and
Pretenses in Plotting
In all types of writing, it’s important to deliver on the promises you make while including enough unexpected events to keep your reader interested. In this panel three accomplished mystery and thriller writers will walk us through their plotting process, discussing the best ways to propel your story forward.
Panelists: Lyn Liao Butler, John Copenhaver, Camille DeAngelis
Moderator: J. T. Glover
Room: E11A
12:00 pm–1:15 pm | Lunch with Live Poetry Showcase
Grab your lunch and join us for poetry from our exciting slate of award-winning poets.
Poets: Courtney LeBlanc, Amber McBride, Kiki Petrosino, Junious Ward
MC: Ty Phelps
Room: E10AB
1:30 pm–3:30 pm | Lucy Booth
LUCY BOOTH | THE “DOCTOR” IS IN!
Have you ever needed help from real-life experts when building out your story’s characters, scenes, and circumstances? Or maybe you have specific questions about the publishing industry and how to get your work out into the world. We’ve built a schedule filled with experts to answer any burning questions you may have to help you get to the finish line!
Location: Lobby; Drop in – no appointments
1:30 – 2:00 pm | Capturing Reality When Writing Emergency Situations
with Seasoned 911 Operator/Fantasy Writer BILL BLUME
2:00-2:30 pm | Incorporating Blood, Sweat, and Tears in Writing
with Scientist & Kinesiology Professor DR. LAURA Q. JIMENEZ
2:30 – 3:00 pm | Writing Mentally Disturbed Characters
with Psychotherapist HELEN MONTAGUE FOSTER, MD
3:00 – 3:30 pm | Crafting the Perfect Story Title
with Copywriter/Author/Illustrator PHIL HILLIKER
More Experts are available at the Lucy Booth on Sunday as well!
Full Lucy Booth Details HERE!
1:30 pm–2:30 pm | Breakout Sessions & Workshop
Reconciling the Past and the Present in Historical Nonfiction
Honest depictions of historical
events can sometimes conflict with today’s values and beliefs. At the same time, common perceptions of the past may not always match the facts. How can writers truthfully represent bygone eras while remaining mindful of modern perspectives? Three esteemed historians offer insights on navigating the complex landscape of writing about the realities of the past.
Panelists: Ana Edwards, Katherine Howe, Hampton Sides
Moderator: Kalela Williams
Room: E10AB
Happily Ever After: What Romance Can Teach Us About Crafting Endings
In romance, the conclusion is often inevitable; the coveted happily-ever-after awaits. But how do writers keep familiar tropes and endings feeling inventive and emotionally resonant? Explore strategies for sustaining narrative tension and conflict, even though your reader knows the ending. Learn insights on structuring plots and character arcs to make reaching the anticipated finale just as gratifying as the ending itself.
Panelists: Lyn Liao Butler, Tracey Livesay, Natalie Naudus
Moderator: Julie Valerie
Room: E10C
No Writers in the Attic: Finding Your Literary Community
Writing may be a craft that’s solitary in nature, but that doesn’t mean you have to be! Whether it’s finding a critique group, connecting with a mentor, or joining an organization of 500 other writers, your writing burdens will be much lighter if you don’t carry them by yourself. Our panelists share their personal experiences of finding or creating the communities they need, as well as advice on being a good literary citizen yourself.
Panelists: Courtney LeBlanc, DaNika Neblett Robinson, Zachary Steele
Moderator: Alethea McCollin
Room: E10D
WORKSHOP | Book Covers with Phil Hilliker
Are you thinking about creating your own book cover? Hoping to hire an illustrator? Interested in being able to evaluate book covers thoughtfully? Graphic designer Phil Hilliker will walk you through basic design elements and help you understand what a cover reveals about the writing inside. You’ll never look at book covers the same!
Room: E11A
2:45 pm–3:45 pm | Breakout Sessions
What’s Hot, What’s Not: The State of Publishing
From the impact of burnout and overwork on the industry, to the rise of AI and the (possible) fall of Booktok, to rapidly changing trends in fiction and nonfiction, this panel delves into the pressing issues shaping the literary world. Industry veterans will provide invaluable insights into the current state of publishing and offer guidance on how writers can adapt and thrive.
Panelists: Melanie Figueroa, Rachel Kahan, Rebecca Schinsky
Moderator: Melissa Sinclair
Room: E10AB
Illuminating the Unfamiliar: Show, Don’t Tell in Science Fiction and Fantasy
The writing maxim “show, don’t tell” emphasizes revealing character and story through action, dialogue, and sensory details—allowing readers to experience the story rather than merely being told about it. But how does this writing advice apply to science fiction and fantasy? In worlds filled with unfamiliar beings, technologies, and phenomena, how can authors “show” in impactful ways while avoiding excessive exposition? Two SFF authors and an agent discuss the unique challenges and crucial importance of “showing” in environments unlike our own.
Panelists: Bill Blume, S J Sindu, Jennifer Udden
Moderator: Ty Phelps
Room: E10C
Poets in the Archives
Historical documents aren’t just for nonfiction and historical fiction authors. Hear from three poets digging into archives to fuel their work. Learn how they combine the facts they want to share with their own thoughts and voice to create new pieces that use the past to speak to the present.
Panelists: Wendy DeGroat, Kiki Petrosino, Junious Ward
Moderator: Rosa Castellano
Room: E10D
WORKSHOP | Screenwriting with Terry Menefee Gau
Have a great story idea that might be better on-screen rather than on the page? How on earth are you going to fit it all into a 100-page script? And why are filmmakers so touchy about the format? It may seem easy to translate story basics such as conflict and character development from a book to a script, however, screenwriting is a different kind of beast than novel writing. It’s a unique and disciplined approach to storytelling that embraces “show, don’t tell” to the maximum degree. Award-winning scriptwriter Terry Menefee Gau will teach you the basics of format, structure, descriptives, and dialogue before typing your first slug line, and she’ll share helpful resources to manage the ever-changing world of writing for the camera.
Room: E11A
4:00 pm–5:00 pm | Keynote
Keynote with Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s award-winning and ground-breaking graphic memoir for young adults, Hey, Kiddo, was 18 years in the making. Learn how Krosoczka gained the courage to share his personal story visually and dig deep within to create this profoundly heartfelt memoir. His keynote delves into the importance of vulnerability, honesty, and perseverance in storytelling, emphasizing how sharing one’s truth can resonate with readers and create powerful connections. Krosoczka delves into his creative process, sharing personal anecdotes and professional insights that reveal the challenges and triumphs of memoir writing.
Krosoczka’s talk will blend practical advice and motivational stories, providing a valuable resource for aspiring memoirists and seasoned writers looking to enrich their storytelling craft.
Room: E10AB
Sunday, October 6, 2024 | In-Person Schedule at the Greater Richmond Convention Center
8:45 am–9:00 am
Welcome and Announcements
9:00 am–10:30 am | Plenary Session
First Pages Live Critique
The lively First Pages Critique has become one of the conference’s best-loved sessions. Agents and editors are swamped with submissions. How can your writing get their attention? Pre-selected first pages will be read aloud anonymously, and our experts will give on-the-spot feedback. Does the action start too early? Can the reader tell what genre or time period they’re in on page one? Find out what a good hook looks like and common errors to avoid.
More on submitting YOUR First Page HERE.
Panelists: Agents Amy Bishop-Wycisk, Jordan Hill, Iwalani Kim
Moderator: Bill Blume
Reader: Phil Hilliker
Room: E10AB
9:00 am–11:30 am | Professional Headshots Mini Sessions (Premium)
It’s time to retire that selfie or that favorite photo from five-plus years ago. You need a professional headshot for your professional life as a writer. We’re here to help! This service is only open to conference registrants.
Details and registration HERE!
Professional headshots will be provided by Jamie Wulfekuhle-Zaweski of Radiant Snapshots.
Times may be subject to change.
10:45 am–11:45 am | Breakout Sessions, Workshop, & Headshots
After the Signing: Next Steps in the Author/Agent Relationship
After you’ve written the book, queried diligently, and finally gotten “the call,” then what? Our panel, made up of an author, agent, and editor with decades of experience between them, will give you a chance to get the scoop on submitting to publishers, getting through edits, signing contracts, and so much more!
Panelists: Rachel Beck, Lyn Liao Butler, Rachel Kahan
Moderator: Kris Spisak
Room: E10AB
Making Audiobooks
Are you interested in adapting your work into an audiobook? Curious about how that happens for self-published vs. traditionally published books? Learn about market trends and opportunities, tips for audiobook-friendly writing, the production process with narrators, and effective strategies for audiobook marketing and promotion. Whether you’re new to audiobooks or an avid listener, gain valuable insights from an author who’s done four of her own audiobooks and a multi-award-winning audiobook narrator of over 400 titles.
Panelists: Amber McBride, Natalie Naudus
Moderator: Terry Menefee Gau
Room: E10C
Partner Projects: Coauthoring & Collaborating
Three authors share insights on the collaborative process, from brainstorming to blending voices seamlessly. Hear about strategies for dividing tasks, resolving conflicts, and managing different writing or artistic styles; and gain insight into legal considerations like royalty sharing and ownership.
Panelists: Katherine Howe, DaNika Neblett Robinson, Zachary Steele
Moderator: Bill Blume
Room: E10D
WORKSHOP | Best Served Cold: Writing Revenge Poems with Courtney LeBlanc
This generative workshop will review and discuss poems that serve, in some way, a bit of revenge on someone. We’ll then write our own revenge poems.
Room: E11A
12:00 pm–1:15 pm | Genre Networking Lunch
Are you looking for some like-minded writers to share plot holes, imposter syndrome, and dysfunctional characters with? We’ll provide areas for different genres of writers to gather during lunch as well as several friendly, somewhat extroverted individuals to help get the conversation started. Grab your lunch and bring it with you!
Room: E10C Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Room: E10D Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Poetry, Romance
Room: E11A Creative Nonfiction, Memoir, History, Screenwriting
1:15 pm–2:15 pm | Breakout Sessions & Intensive
Sense of Place: Setting as a Storytelling Component
Whether you’re writing fiction or
nonfiction, using sensory details to establish a concrete location can make setting as important as plot, character, or theme. Three acclaimed authors will walk us through techniques for building rich, evocative locales that draw readers into their work. Learn more about the challenges of depicting familiar and unfamiliar settings and the importance of authenticity and research.
Panelists: Halle Hill, Nadia Owusu, Hampton Sides
Moderator: Melissa Sinclair
Room: E10AB
Authors Take Control: Tips for Successful Self-publishing
In the ever-more-difficult world of publishing, self-publishing continues to be a game-changer, providing authors with unprecedented control over their creative works and the ability to reach readers directly. This panel explores the myriad avenues for self-publishing, from print-on-demand services to e-book platforms, and the strategies authors can employ to successfully market and promote their books.
Panelists: Lyn Liao Butler, Natalie Naudus, Ran Walker
Moderator: Bill Blume
Room: E10C
Talking Pictures: Writing for Graphic Novels
Graphic novels are a dynamic combination of visual storytelling and compelling dialogue. How do you script your story to take advantage of the medium? What are some tips for writing dialogue that reveals character and advances the plot without seeming like an exposition dump? And once you’ve put it together, how do you sell it? Get the inside scoop on graphic novels from two experienced authors and an agent.
Panelists: Francesca P. Lyn, Kate McKean, S J Sindu
Moderator: Wendy DeGroat
Room: E10D
Window to the
Past; Mirror for the Present: Writing Historical Fiction
Using historical backdrops and characters with marginalized experiences, these authors bring us engaging stories that have something to say about both the past and the present. How do you create vivid historical worlds and narratives that explore universal themes? Our panelists will give you tips on writing with authenticity and depth, so the past feels accessible and compelling for modern readers.
Panelists: Cheryl A. Head, Jeffrey Dale Lofton, Kalela Williams
Moderator: Patty Smith
Room: E11A
1:30 pm–3:30 pm | Lucy Booth
LUCY BOOTH | THE “DOCTOR” IS IN!
Have you ever needed help from real-life experts when building out your story’s characters, scenes, and circumstances? Or maybe you have specific questions about the publishing industry and how to get your work out into the world. We’ve built a schedule filled with experts to answer any burning questions you may have to help you get to the finish line!
Location: Lobby; Drop in – no appointments
1:30 – 2:00 pm | Marketing, Publicity, and Self-Publishing
with Author PR Expert KRISTI TUCK AUSTIN
2:00 – 2:30 pm | Screenwriting and Theater
with Award-Winning Playwright ALETHEA MCCOLLIN
2:30 – 3:00 pm | Using the Law in Fiction/Adding Romantic Tension
with Attorney/Romance Writer TRACEY LIVESAY
3:00 – 3:30 | All Things Publishing Industry
with VP/Executive Editor at William Morrow/HarperCollins RACHEL KAHAN
More Experts are available at the Lucy Booth on Saturday as well!
Full Lucy Booth Details HERE!
2:30 pm–3:30 pm | Breakout Sessions & Workshop
Putting It All Together: an Agent, an Author, and an Audiobook Narrator
How does a book go from an idea to published work to an audiobook? Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Alix E. Harrow, her agent Kate McKean, and Natalie Naudus, the audiobook narrator of Starling House share behind-the-scenes details about the book and audiobook process.
Panelists: Alix E. Harrow, Kate McKean, Natalie Naudus
Moderator: Phil Hilliker
Room: E10AB
Family Outings: Telling Personal Stories in Memoir
How do you sensitively present personal stories involving your loved and not-so-loved ones? How do you turn private moments into such powerful storytelling that they resonate with a wide audience? Hear from three skilled memoirists who choose to shine a light on their upbringing and ancestry in order to grapple with their personal legacies.
Panelists: Annette Marquis, Nadia Owusu, Kiki Petrosino
Moderator: Rosa Castellano
Room: E10C
Let’s Do Your
Debut!
You’ve signed with a publishing house, but now what? After a release date is set, what should a first-time author be working on behind-the-scenes? What can you control, and what should you let go? Hear from an agent and two authors about best practices and anything they’d change about their debut experience if they had a do-over.
Panelists: Melanie Figueroa, Halle Hill, Jeffrey Dale Lofton
Moderator: Julie Valerie
Room: E10D
WORKSHOP | Nonfiction Book Proposals with Catherine Baab-Muguira
Nonfiction authors have the advantage of being able to pitch a book before it’s finished, but putting together a proposal is different from writing a query letter. Nonfiction book proposals need to convince an agent or editor that not only do you have a unique story to tell, but that you have analyzed your target audience and know how to reach them. Journalist and award-winning nonfiction author Catherine Baab-Muguira will walk you through the essential elements of a competitive proposal, giving you a clear understanding of what to include and what to leave out to give your work its best chance at attracting notice. Whether you’re looking to sell a self-help book or a work of narrative nonfiction, you’ll walk away with all the tools you need.
3:45 pm–4:45 pm | Breakout Sessions & Workshop
Garnering Media Attention: Get the Word Out About Your Work
Media makers are inundated with story pitches, so how do you get your work to rise above the noise of a crowded marketplace? Join our panel of media and publicity experts as they share insider tips for getting your work in front of their target audiences. Whether you’re a first-time author or an established writer, this can’t-miss discussion will provide tips and tricks to amplify your voice and reach more readers through various media outlets.
Panelists: Kristi Tuck Austin, Amy Lacey, and Angie Miles
Moderator: DaNika Neblett Robinson
Room: E10AB
Once Upon the Here and Now: Folklore & Myth in Modern Writing
Myths, fairy tales, and folklore are all magical-seeming stories that spark our imaginations and still appeal to us today How can you use folklore and myth to enhance and inform modern ways of looking at the world? Why do we love to hear these stories over and over again? And how can you use our built-in love of storytelling to capture your own readers? Hear from three authors working with ancient tales in modern ways.
Panelists: Shastri Akella, Amber McBride, Kris Spisak
Moderator: J. T. Glover
Room: E10C
Pick a Peck of Poets Laureate
In “The Four Ages of Poetry” Peacock argues the uselessness of poetry amid the rapid scientific and technological advances of the Industrial Revolution. Though Peacock’s essay was highly satirical, it inspired Percy Bysshe Shelley to pick up his pen in “defense” of poetry and the poets of his time. Over two hundred years later, we ask three distinguished poets laureate what they feel is the purpose of poetry today, if they believe poets still hold Shelley’s purported quasi-political, almost prophetic power, and what, if anything, does poetry need defending from in our modern world?
Panelists: Courtney LeBlanc, Joanna S. Lee, Junious Ward
Moderator: Emily Okamoto-Green
Room: E10D
AI for Writers
Would you know if AI (Artificial Intelligence) wrote this panel description? With the rapid advancement of AI technology, writers now have access to powerful tools that can enhance their craft, from idea generation to content optimization. But what about ethical considerations, such as copyright, attribution, and the balance between human creativity and machine assistance? Hear more about the uses and misuses of AI from actual people using it in their work and see examples of how you can use it in yours.
Panelists: Andrew Bell, Annette Marquis
Moderator: Wendy DeGroat
Room: E11A
5:00 pm–5:30 pm | Closing/Weekend Wrap-Up!
Some of our most beloved moderators from the conference will wrap things up for us, sharing their favorite tidbits from the weekend and offering their best advice for next steps as we say goodbye (for now!).
Room: E10AB