James River Writers

2026 Write-Ins
2026-01-01 08:00 - 2026-12-31 21:00 (America/New_York)
Consistency is key to reaching your writing goals. JRW is here to help. Join us most Mondays for online Write-ins, to start the week strong. Use these two-hour blocks of time to cross off anything you have on your writing list. Choose from 8 am – 10am and/or 7 pm – 9 pm.
For details and registration, click HERE.

This programming is supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly.

EMYL JENKINS AWARD - Nominations Open Through June 30
2026-05-01 00:01 - 2026-06-30 23:59 (America/New_York)
The Emyl Jenkins Award is presented to an outstanding individual who inspires a love of writing and writing education in Virginia.
An advocate for writers and their readers, Emyl Jenkins had a knack for connecting both people and organizations. She shared her time and expertise with everyone she encountered. She encouraged writers at all levels, especially fledglings trying to get those first words down on the page. Her generous spirit and enthusiasm rubbed off on everyone she touched, and, like ripples in a pond, her actions widened the circle of writing encouragement.
Know someone who embodies Emyl’s spirit and inspires and encourages a love for writing? Nominate them today!
Nominations accepted May 1 through June 30, 2026. Details and past winners HERE.

ONLINE WRITERS WEDNESDAY | June 2026
2026-06-10 17:30 - 19:30 UTC
Community is at the core of everything we do, and Writers Wednesday is the perfect place to strengthen that. Writers Wednesday brings together writers of every experience level and genre in a casual atmosphere to connect, laugh, and revel in a well-deserved break. We rotate hosting these programs online via the Zoom platform and in-person. JRW staff is always on hand to answer any questions you may have about James River Writers, or writing in general. This is a great entry point for those who are new to the James River Writers community. You do not have to be a JRW member to attend! Come for the duration, or drop in as your schedule allows.

Date: June 10, 2026
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Location: Online, via the Zoom platform
Registration: Sign up using this LINK.
Cost: FREE!
Registrants will receive a confirmation email with details and the Zoom link to join. Be sure to check your spam folder if you don’t see it in your inbox.
This project was supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly.

UNEXPECTED WARRIOR: Amanda Jones is THAT Librarian | An Online Advocacy Discussion with Meg Medina
2026-06-16 18:30 (America/New_York)
Amanda Jones is a middle school librarian, an activist, and the author of That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America. She has served as President of the Louisiana Association of School Librarians, was distinguished as the 2021 School Library Journal Librarian of the Year, and named to the 2025 TIME100 Next list. Amanda gained national attention for fighting book bans in her home state of Louisiana, which led her to pen That Librarian, to share about her experience.
In this James River Writers advocacy discussion, Amanda will share about her unexpected journey to becoming a leading voice for intellectual freedom and anti-censorship. In an online conversation with Newbery Medalist and former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Meg Medina, Amanda will talk about how the book banning landscape has changed over the last few years, the wider implications of these book bans, and what part we can all take in countering censorship in our own communities.
Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship
When: Tuesday, June 16 | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Eastern | Online via Zoom
Cost: $5 registration fee will be donated to Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship
Location: Online, in the comfort of your own home. Via the Zoom Platform
Registrants will be emailed the Zoom link to join upon registraton. After the event, registrants will be sent a link to the program, and you may watch it at your leisure for thirty days.

This Advocacy Discussion is sponsored by

ABOUT AMANDA JONES

AMANDA JONES made national headlines in 2022 when she was targeted by extremists in her town for speaking out at a public library board meeting. She decided to fight back and took her harassers to court, while continuing to speak out at both the local and national level against the pro-censorship movement. Amanda chronicles what it is like being the target of white Christian nationalists and the importance of standing up for intellectual freedom, in her book That Librarian: Fighting Book Banners in Today’s America.

ABOUT MEG MEDINA

MEG MEDINA served as the 2023-2024 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. She is the author of many notable works for young readers of all ages, including the Newbery Medal-winning and New York Times bestselling book Merci Suárez Changes Gears, the first in a triology. Meg Medina’s work examines how cultures intersect through the eyes of young people. She brings audiences stories that speak to both what is unique in Latino culture and qualities that are universal. Her newest middle-grade novel is Graciela in the Abyss. The daughter of Cuban immigrants, she grew up in Queens, New York, and now lives in Richmond, Virginia.

ABOUT LOUISIANA CITIZENS AGAINST CENSORSHIP
Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization dedicated to fighting attempts to ban or restrict books based on subjective standards of inappropriate content. They believe that informed citizens are good citizens, and access to information is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy. To that end, they oppose any legislation aimed at restricting citizens’ First Amendment Rights, as well as the right to read freely.
Website

This programming is supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly.
