ONLINE WRITERS WEDNESDAY September 2025
2025-09-10 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | VA
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 and in-person, and September will be online, via the Zoom platform. 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.
SPECIAL FEATURE: Conference Preview – at the top of the program, you’ll get an overview of the 2025 James River Writers Conference. Come with any questions you may have.
Date: September 10, 2025
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Location: Online, via the Zoom platform
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, a federal agency.

ONLINE WRITERS WEDNESDAY October 2025 featuring Newcomers Welcome
2025-10-22 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | VA
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 and in-person, and October will be online, via the Zoom platform. 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.
SPECIAL FEATURE: Newcomers Welcome – At the top of the program, Get an overview of JRW’s programs, membership options, and more. Then, participants will socialize and network with rotating groups of writers in breakout rooms for the remainder of the time.
Date: October 22, 2025
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Location: Online, via the Zoom platform
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.

ONLINE WRITERS WEDNESDAY November 2025
2025-11-12 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | VA
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 and in-person, and November will be online, via the Zoom platform. 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: November 12, 2025
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Location: Online, via the Zoom platform
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.

SETTING AS CHARACTER November 2025 (In Person) Writing Show
2025-11-18 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | VA
Setting is more than a backdrop–it can shape your characters’ experiences, reveal hidden tensions and cultural nuances, and influence your narrative trajectory. Hear from three authors who know how to create rich, multilayered locations that impact a story well beyond physical description.
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 arrive in time to find parking and be seated before the panel discussion begins at 6:30 pm.
What: The Writing Show: Setting as Character
Where: The Innerwork Center | 213 Roseneath Rd, Richmond, VA 23221
When: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Panelists: Nashae Jones, Sarah Glenn Marsh, SJ Sindu
Moderator: Annette Marquis
Cost: $12 Members | $17 Non-Members
Parking is available in a lot behind the Innerwork building or anywhere on the street.

This program is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

SPEAKERS

NASHAE JONES is an author and an educator. Her books Courtesy of Cupid and As You Wish have received numerous honors including Kids’ Indie Next selection, a KNEA Reading Circle selection, an Indigo Book of the Month, an Amazon Editor’s Pick, a New York Times Year of Books pick, among others. Her young adult debut, The Beckett Effect, will be out summer 2026.

SARAH GLENN MARSH has been an avid fantasy reader since the day her dad handed her a copy of The Hobbit and promised it would change her life. She believes we all deserve happy endings and is an author of books for everyone, including many young adult, middle grade, and picture book titles. She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family, including one sweet daughter, one slightly dull sword, and the chaos of many pets, like a turtle named Muffin who she definitely did not bring back from any haunted swamp. Our Rogue Fates, coming out April 28, is her first adult romance novel.

SJ SINDU is an award-winning Tamil diaspora author of five books. The most recent, The Goth House Experiment, won The Story Prize Spotlight Award. Sindu holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Florida State University and is a co-editor for Zero Street, a literary fiction series featuring LGBTQ+ books published by the University of Nebraska Press. Sindu is an assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University.

MODERATOR

ANNETTE MARQUIS is a community builder, wanderer, and author of Living into the Truth: A Daughter’s Journey of Discovery, a serialized memoir, Accidental Mentors: Inspirational Stories of Women Who Shaped My Life By Just Being Themselves, and one short-form memoir, Resistance: A Memoir of Civil Disobedience in Maricopa County. In her past life, she co-authored twenty-five software books, mostly about Microsoft Office. She recently retired from the Living Legacy Project, Inc, owns WordsWomen Press, LLC, and lives with her wife Wendy in Richmond, Virginia.

IN-PERSON WRITERS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2025
2025-12-10 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | Ardent Craft Ales, 3200 W Leigh Street, Richmond, VA, 23230, United States
IN-PERSON WRITERS WEDNESDAY
December 10 | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
at Ardent Craft Ales

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 and in-person, and December will be in person at Ardent Craft Ales. 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.
Look for us inside at reserved tables, at the seating area to the left of the bar area (this is opposite of the side we are usually located). Happy Hour runs from 3-6 pm on Wednesdays, and food is available for purchase in the beer garden, provided by Eazzy Burger.
SPECIAL FEATURE: HOLIDAY BOOK SWAP | Bring a book/take a book! If you’d like to clear out some room on your bookshelf, or you’re simply excited about sharing a title you absolutely love with someone else, bring a book with you and possibly leave with a new title to enjoy for yourself!
Date: December 10, 2025
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Location: Ardent Craft Ales, 3200 West Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23230
Cost: FREE!
No registration is required.
See you there!

2026 Write-Ins
2026-01-01 08:00 - 2026-12-31 21:00 (America/New_York) | VA
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.

NOW ONLINE! JANUARY 27 | Get It Together! Harnessing Community to Energize Your Writing
2026-01-27 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Visual Arts Center, 1812 West Main Street, Richmond, VA, 23220, United States
Sure, writing can be a solitary pursuit, but why make it harder on yourself? It’s so much easier to accomplish your writing goals with encouragement, shared information, and accountability. Join us for a celebration of community, and hear from three panelists who do an excellent job of bringing people together in a variety of spaces for a plethora of purposes. Let’s make actionable plans to support each other’s goals in 2026.
Speakers: Gigi Howard, Ty Phelps, Kalela Williams, and Moderator Phil Hilliker
Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern Time
Location: NOW ONLINE DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER!
Cost: $12 Members | $21 Non-members | $5 Students
Registration is required.
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 arrive by 6:25 pm, before the panel discussion begins.

REGISTER NOW!

This program is supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

SPEAKERS

GIGI HOWARD
Gigi Howard has been a public librarian for 15 years, and is the host of the podcast “Drinks in the Library,” where she interviews guests about their favorite books and pairs them with drinks. Passionate about supporting her community, Gigi loves connecting with others who use literature to make a difference. A dedicated mom and wife, she fancies herself a mixologist, though her husband remains skeptical of her skills in this area.

TY PHELPS
Ty Phelps’ work can be found at Poets.org, Poet Lore, Streetlight, Zizzle, and elsewhere. He won the 2022 Nancy Ludmerer Flash Fiction Fellowship, Virginia Commonwealth University’s 2019 Catherine and Joan Byrne Poetry Prize. He holds an MFA from VCU and served as the 2021–22 Cabell First Novelist Award Fellow and the 2023–24 Writer-in-Residence at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. He is a co-founder of the Flying South Reading Series and helps plan the Richmond Poetry Fest.

KALELA WILLIAMS
Kalela Williams is the author of the the YA coming of age story Tangleroot, a 2024 Indies Introduce and Indie Next pick. She directs the Virginia Center for the Book, part of Virginia Humanities, which produces the Virginia Festival of the Book and other literary programs, and has directed literary events for the Free Library of Philadelphia and Furious Flower Poetry Center.

MODERATOR

PHILLIP HILLIKER
Phillip Hillker is a creatively restless writer and illustrator with credits spanning many fields and genres. He has contributed to role-playing games such as Shadowrun and White Wolf’s World of Darkness, written voiceover scripts for too many whiteboard explanatory videos, and spent time as JRW’s membership coordinator.

REGISTER NOW! ]

IN-PERSON WRITERS WEDNESDAY February 11
2026-02-11 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | Ardent Craft Ales, 3200 W Leigh Street, Richmond, VA, 23230, United States
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 and in-person, and February will be in person at Ardent Craft Ales. 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.
Look for us inside at reserved tables, at the seating area to the immediate right when you enter. Happy Hour runs from 3-6 pm on Wednesdays, and food is available for purchase in the beer garden, provided by Eazzy Burger.
Date: February 11, 2026
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Location: Ardent Craft Ales, 3200 West Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23230
Cost: FREE!
No registration is required.
See you there!

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

FEBRUARY 24 | When to Break the Rules: Grammar, Structure, & Experimentation (Online Writing Show)
2026-02-24 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Visual Arts Center, 1812 West Main Street, Richmond, VA, 23220, United States
Join our expert panelists for a discussion on the art of subverting writing conventions with purpose and skill. Discover when rule-breaking elevates your work versus when it distracts from your purpose, and learn how successful authors create their distinctive voices and memorable narratives. Whether it’s telling a story in an unusual format or playing with the constraints of punctuation, join us in exploring different ways writing can push the envelope.
Speakers: K-Ming Chang, Rachel Kahan, Amber McBride, and Moderator Kris Spisak
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern Time
Location: Online, via the Zoom platform
Cost: $12 Members | $21 Non-members | $5 Students

Registration is required.
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 arrive by 6:25 pm, before the panel discussion begins.
REGISTER NOW!

This program is supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

SPEAKERS

K-MING CHANG
K-Ming Chang is a Lambda Literary Award winner, a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree, a Kundiman Fellow, and an O. Henry Prize Winner. She is the author of the novel Bestiary (One World/Random House, 2020), which was longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, and the Otherwise Award. In 2021, her chapbook Bone House was published by Bull City Press. Her story collection Gods of Want (One World/Random House) won a Lambda Literary Award, and her books have been translated into Spanish, Chinese, Korean, German, Turkish, and other languages. Her most recent books are Organ Meats (One World, 2023) and a novella titled Cecilia (Coffee House Press, 2024). In 2026, she will be making her YA debut with Straight to the Source, a rom-com forthcoming from Holiday House. Her next novel for adults, Needlemouth, is forthcoming from Simon & Schuster on October 20, 2026.

RACHEL KAHAN
A passionate advocate for commercial fiction and non-fiction, Rachel Kahan is VP/Executive Editor at William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins. She acquires the kinds of books she loves most as a reader: literary and book clubby novels, mystery/thrillers, memoirs, historical narratives, and issue-driven non-fiction. In her nearly 30-year career, Rachel has edited dozens of New York Times and international bestsellers. Rachel proudly publishes a diverse list of writers from around the world. Born and raised in Arlington, Virginia, she graduated from the College of William and Mary.

AMBER MCBRIDE
Amber McBride is a two-time National Book Award Finalist whose books have garnered over 25 starred reviews. Her debut young adult novel, Me (Moth), won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent, among many other accolades. Gone Wolf, McBride‘s middle grade fiction debut, won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. McBride was an assistant professor at UVA for 4 years before resigning. She lives in Virginia and keeps bees.

MODERATOR

KRIS SPISAK
Kris Spisak wrote her first three books—Get a Grip on Your Grammar, The Novel Editing Workbook, and The Family Story Workbook—to help writers of all kinds sharpen their storytelling and empower their communications. Her award-winning debut novel, The Baba Yaga Mask, was inspired by her Ukrainian heritage, and her fifth book, Becoming Baba Yaga: Trickster, Feminist, and Witch of the Woods, explores the complex origins of this Slavic folktale character and her lingering lessons for empowering us all. Kris knows well-written words and well-told stories can change the world, and she cannot wait to tell you her next story.

REGISTER NOW!

IN-PERSON WRITERS WEDNESDAY featuring BOOK BINGO | March 11
2026-03-11 17:00 - 19:00 UTC | Ardent Craft Ales, 3200 W Leigh Street, Richmond, VA, 23230, United States
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 and in-person, and March will be in person at Buskey Cider. 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.
Look for us inside at the back of the tasting room, where we will be hosting our first installment of FUN & GAMES featuring BOOK BINGO! If you’d like to participate in the fun, you can purchase your Bingo Cards ahead of time using our online registration, or you can purchase them at the door. The winner will receive a Writing Show Membership valued at $125!
Date: March 11, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada) NOTE THIS IS AN EARLIER START TIME THAN USUAL FOR WRITERS WEDNESDAY! The Bingo fun will start at 5:30 pm.
Location: Buskey Cider, 2910 W. Leigh St, Richmond, VA 23230
Cost: FREE to attend. Bingo Cards may be purchased for a minimum donation of $10.
No registration is required to attend, but you do have to purchase a bingo card if you’d like to participate in the Fun & Games. Thank you for participating and helping us reach our fundraising goals! Alternately, if you’d like to make a donation and NOT participate in Book Bingo, you can do that by clicking on the button below as well.
See you there!

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

CRITIQUE PARTNERS & BETA READERS | March 2026 Writing Show (In Person)
2026-03-31 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | VA
One of the most common questions for James River Writers staff is, “How do I find a critique partner?” Well, our panelists can help you with that! Hear from four writers intimately familiar with the ins and outs of critiquing and beta reading. They’ll tell you how to find the right fit, how to develop a thick skin (and when you shouldn’t have to), and how to improve your own skills in critical reading and feedback. As a special bonus, we’ll have networking time after the show, structured by genre, so you can see if your perfect beta reader is in the audience.
Speakers: Kris Coronado, Phil Hilliker, Dr. DaNika Neblett Robinson, and Moderator Katharine Herndon
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern Time
Location: IN PERSON at the Visual Arts Center | 1812 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
Cost: $12 Members | $21 Non-members
Registration is required and space is limited. Ample parking is available on site.
If you are a Writing Show Member, please be sure to register and claim your spot. This will ensure we have enough seats for all who wish to attend.
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 arrive in time to find parking and be seated before the panel discussion begins at 6:30 pm.

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This program is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

Readings by Writers Open Mic Night | JRW Joins First Fridays in the RVA Arts District
2026-04-03 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | VA
CELEBRATE NATIONAL POETRY MONTH WITH US!
Join James River Writers, and listen as JRW members share their poetry—finished, in progress, or somewhere in between. Refreshments are available for purchase.
Attendance is free and open to the public. You don’t have to be a member to attend, but you do have to be a JRW member to read. Check your Members Only newsletter for details to participate. No registration is required.
Date: Friday, April 3, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Mudhouse Specialty Coffee Roasters, 418 W. Broad St, RVA 23220, in the RVA Arts District
Find the full Readings by Writers schedule and additional details HERE.

ONLINE WRITERS WEDNESDAY (Featuring Newcomers Welcome) April 2026
2026-04-08 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | VA
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: April 8, 2026
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
SPECIAL FEATURE: Newcomers Welcome At the top of the program, we will share a rundown of JRW programs and membership options! Following the presentation, we will use rotating breakout rooms to allow participants to socialize in small groups.
Location: Online, via the Zoom platform
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.

SPRINGBOARD! 2026: A Weekend of Transformational Self-editing
2026-04-18 08:45 - 2026-04-19 17:00 (America/New_York) | VA
NEED HELP EDITING YOUR MANUSCRIPT?
James River Writers invites you to a hands-on editing retreat designed to transform your fiction or memoir manuscript, empowering you on the journey toward publication. You know your story better than anyone. Thus, the revision process is most powerful when it begins with you. Following this course’s step-by-step self-editing strategies, your manuscript can transform into the book you always knew it could be—whether you’re new to your craft or simply ready to empower (and speed up!) your creative process.
ONLY 20 SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE for this self-editing retreat, hosted at the beautiful Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

Featuring Editor, Author, and Writing Coach KRIS SPISAK
Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, 2026
Details and registration, including full itinerary, can be found HERE.

ENGAGING READERS WITH EFFECTIVE PACING | April 2026 Writing Show (In Person)
2026-04-21 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | VA
Pacing isn’t just about car chases and cliffhangers—it’s the rhythm that keeps readers engaged, whether you’re writing historical fiction, fantasy, an essay, or a poem. Our panelists will explore how to control the flow of information and how to create momentum that carries readers through your work. Learn techniques for varying sentence length, managing white space, balancing introspection with action, and other structural choices that shepherd your reader’s experience from the first line to the last.
Speakers: John Copenhaver, Nicole Glover, Alethea McCollin, and Moderator Melissa Scott Sinclair

Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern Time
Location: IN PERSON at the Visual Arts Center | 1812 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
Cost: $12 Members | $21 Non-members
Registration is required and space is limited. Ample parking is available on site.
If you are a Writing Show Member, please be sure to register and claim your spot. This will ensure we have enough seats for all who wish to attend.
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 arrive in time to find parking and be seated before the panel discussion begins at 6:30 pm.

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This program is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

EMYL JENKINS AWARD - Nominations Open Through June 30
2026-05-01 00:01 - 2026-06-30 23:59 (America/New_York) | VA
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.

IN-PERSON WRITERS WEDNESDAY featuring FUN & GAMES | May 13
2026-05-13 17:00 - 19:00 UTC | VA
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 and in-person, and March will be in person at Buskey Cider. 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.
Look for us inside at the back of the tasting room, where we will be hosting our second installment of FUN & GAMES featuring MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY! If you’d like to participate in the fun, you can purchase your Game Pass ahead of time using our online registration, or you can purchase them at the door. The winner will receive a Writing Show Membership valued at $125!
Date: May 13, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada) NOTE THIS IS AN EARLIER START TIME THAN USUAL FOR WRITERS WEDNESDAY! The fun and games will start at 5:30 pm.
Location: Buskey Cider, 2910 W. Leigh St, Richmond, VA 23230
Cost: FREE to attend. Game Passes may be purchased for a minimum donation of $10.
No registration is required to attend, but you do have to purchase a bingo card if you’d like to participate in the Fun & Games. Thank you for participating and helping us reach our fundraising goals! Alternately, if you’d like to make a donation and NOT participate in the Fun & Games, you can do that by clicking on the button below as well.
See you there!

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

ONLINE WRITERS WEDNESDAY | June 2026
2026-06-10 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | VA
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) | VA
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.
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This programming is supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly.

Master Class: Submitting to Journals & Contests with Jenny Shank
2026-07-16 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Online Class via Zoom, The Comfort of Your Home, VA, United States
Join us for an online Master Class with author Jenny Shank!
Learn strategies for submitting your work to literary journals and contests.
Click to register! Members get $25 off tuition.

ROLL FOR JRW
2026-07-22 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Coco + Hazel, 2733 McRae Rd, Richmond, VA, 23235, United States
A Dungeons & Dragons fundraiser for James River Writers at Coco + Hazel
Wednesday, July 22, 6:00–9:00 pm.
Whether you’re an old school adventurer or you’ve never before touched a 20-sided die, come play Dungeons & Dragons with James River Writers. We’ll have everything you need for a single-session adventure, including seasoned game masters prepared to explain the rules and character options ready for battle.
Coco + Hazel, our innkeepers for the evening, are even concocting an exclusive potion for this exciting experience.
Will you answer the call to adventure? Revel in community, participate in cooperative storytelling, and slay some monsters to benefit James River Writers!
Location: Coco + Hazel, 2733 McRae Rd, Richmond, VA 23235
Space is Limited. Registration required. Your $25 registration gets you a seat at the table and one raffle ticket, but there are more treasures to explore:

For $150 you can sponsor a table for yourself and four friends and double your raffle tickets.
Or you can go all in with the Deluxe Table Sponsorship and get 5 seats at the table, 5 JRW Travel Tumblers, 5 sets of mystery dice (containing 7 brightly colored dice in each set), 15 raffle tickets, and 5 special edition stickers.
You can also pick and choose among an array of add-ons if you’d prefer to customize your collection.

Join the adventure! Register here
