The James River Writers Conference is an annual gathering in Richmond, Virginia, that attracts prize-winning authors and highly regarded editors and literary agents from around the country to share their wisdom about writing and publishing. Since 2003, this multi-day event of 350 to 400 writers, has been known for its inspiring, collegial atmosphere and Southern […]
In this class, participants will receive with tips and techniques for making fiction feel real to readers. We’ll cover how to transform fiction from flat words on the page into a truly engrossing and realistic read. The real trick is to make the reader the co-creator of the fictional dream. With plenty of examples and […]
Love to tell (write) a good story? If so, whether fiction or nonfiction, you have a skillset that\'s constantly in demand. Just as readers are still devouring good books, businesses are seeking masters to help them share their mission and engage with clients or customers in authentic ways. Simply put, story matters; and as a […]
The Naked Truth is a seminar to help those writing memoir to write without fear or shame (yes that can be done) and to develop the unique vocabulary and language to tell their story. Memoir that is compelling is defined by a story told with bravery and authenticity and a voice that captures and honors […]
This class will address the making of human characters in fiction. Characters--believable, authentic, sympathetic--are the lifeblood of story. Who wants to read or keep reading a novel if we don\'t care about the fellow human beings inhabiting its setting and guiding its plot? We\'ll look at several examples of great characters and try out some […]
What keeps a finished manuscript from being accepted for publication, or from catching a judge\'s eye or attention, or from being read all the way to the end? How do you know when your manuscript is truly done? From flat plots to false dialogue and under-researched scenes, we will discuss the most common mistakes that […]
Alma will help define what conflict is, describe the four different types of conflict and how to layer them in your novel and show you how to analyze your own writing. She will provide advice on how to create more suspense and tension that can be applied to all kinds of writing, not just mysteries […]
This year's JRW Conference poetry reading on Saturday, October 12, 2019, will showcase several poets from the conference, including Mary Bonina, Michelle Dodd, Jon Pineda, and host Wendy DeGroat. For more information about these poets, visit: 2019 JRW Conference Speakers and Moderators. Admission to the poetry reading and exhibits at The Edgar Allan Poe Museum […]
See Richmond CultureWorks for other literary events in the area.