To honor the memory of Emyl Jenkins, who passed away in 2010, James River Writers presents an award to an outstanding individual who, as Emyl did, inspires a love of writing and writing education in Virginia.
An advocate for writers and their readers, Emyl 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.
Award Details
Any Virginia individual is eligible, except for members of the JRW board of directors, the advisory board, founders, or staff.
A panel of judges, chosen from the JRW board of directors and JRW membership to represent different levels of writing experience, will pick the winner. They will choose the nominee who best matches Emyl Jenkins’ efforts to make Virginia a better place for writers, whether by connecting people and/or organizations around the written word, sharing time and expertise about writing, or simply encouraging writers to do what they do.
The winner will receive an award that honors Emyl Jenkins’ work and reflects her style.
NOMINATIONS PERIOD
Nominations will be accepted May 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026. To make a nomination, complete this nomination form. In no more than 500 words, explain how the nominee makes Virginia a better place for writers. The nomination must include contact information (e-mail and phone) for the nominator and for the person you’re nominating.
The winner will be notified by September 15, and will be presented the award at the James River Writers Conference.
More About Emyl
- A tribute by Virginia Pye
- Article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
PAST WINNERS of the EMYL JENKINS AWARD
2025
Ann Archer Educator/Writer/Community Builder
The 2025 Award goes to ANN ARCHER. From one of Ann’s nominators: A lifelong educator, tireless volunteer, and passionate advocate for lifelong learning, Ann has not only enriched the lives of countless residents at Westminster Canterbury, but also helped shape the very culture of curiosity, creativity, and compassion that defines our community today. After a distinguished 20-year career teaching French at St. Catherine’s School, Ann joined Westminster Canterbury in 1983 as Director of Continuing Education. During her tenure, she cultivated an innovative learning environment that merged traditional education with the needs and passions of older adults. Even after retiring in 1996 and moving into Westminster Canterbury in 2011, Ann remained devoted to the mission of meaningful aging and returned shortly after with one of her most impactful ideas: a partnership between St. Catherine’s and Westminster Canterbury. The resulting Senior Summer program offered learning opportunities and laid the groundwork for the vibrant educational tradition that evolved into School for All Seasons. Ann has a knack for engaging residents, former colleagues, and community members to develop a diverse and fulfilling curriculum. Each curriculum is sure to include some form (or two) of a writing workshop, whether it’s memoires, creative writing, poetry or another creative approach to writing, it will be offered. As School for All Seasons began to morph, Ann had another brilliant idea – to partner with James River Writers and the Westminster Canterbury Foundation to offer a four-part Writing Workshop that would be free of charge to residents. This new partnership was formed, and the workshops came to fruition in the summer of 2025. The series was an overwhelming success with between 15-25 residents in each of the 16 classes! This series would not have been possible without her intuition and dedication to a personal mission of bringing as many writing opportunities as possible to our community. Ann embodies the spirit of lifelong learning, volunteerism, and leadership. She doesn’t seek recognition—her motivation is purely the joy of learning, the importance of community, and a desire to continue growing alongside others. For her decades of service, her tireless advocacy for education, and her lasting impact on our community, we proudly nominate Ann Archer for the Emyl Jenkins Award.
2024
Patty Smith Educator/Writer/Community Connector
The 2024 Award goes to PATTY SMITH. From one of Patty’s nominators: Patty Smith has been working to make Virginia a better place for writers since 1998, when she moved to Richmond to attend an MFA program at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a generous and talented mentor, connector, and organizer. Patty helped organize the RVA Lit Crawl and organized the “Queer Voices” panel for two years. She is a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ readers and writers, as well as those of other marginalized identities. In her connector role, she started the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School (ARGS) Writers Residency and brought local writers to work with her students. Patty coordinated the VCU First Novelist Award for two years (on a volunteer basis) and when moving on to teach at ARGS, involved her students as first readers. Under her stewardship ARGS has supported and participated in the VCU First Novelist Award for 18 years. She brings out best selves and best writers and readers in her high school writing students too with her high standards and support. Students said of Patty: “I appreciate her wisdom and how she encouraged me to lean into my quirky side.” “She advised us to find the thing you love and to follow your heart, instead of always following the rules and asking for permission.” In addition to her full-time teaching job, she taught countless community workshops to adults and teens at public libraries and brought her students to readings at local universities. She was a member of the Governor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board for two years and served as Chair of the Education and Workforce committee. While serving the community in this myriad of ways, she has managed to publish an award-winning novel, The Year of Needy Girls, numerous essays and stories, and is hard at work on her second book. Go Patty!
More about Patty HERE.
2023
Krystle Dandridge Founder/Owner of RVA Book Bar
The 2023 Award goes to KRYSTLE DANDRIDGE. From one of Krystle’s nominators: Krystle Dandridge originally launched The Book Bar online on Juneteenth 2021, and later opened the store on Main Street in Richmond’s Shockoe Slip in February of the following year. In a short span of time, she’s done a great deal to help writers and readers in the Richmond area. Her bookstore provides a vital, year-round focus on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) authors. Her desire was to create a space to “see culture, feel culture, and experience community.” To that end, the Book Bar has hosted authors across a wide range of genres. Visiting writers have included authors such as JRW’s 2023 conference headliner Sadeqa Johnson, previous JRW Emyl Jenkins Award winner Lamar Giles, New York Times Bestseller S.A. Cosby, and many more. She’s also brought in many more authors to connect with Richmond readers through a variety of virtual events. In September 2023, Krystle expanded her bookstore’s mission even further when she hosted “RVA Lit Fest,” featuring Black and Brown authors both traditionally and indie published. Krystle embodies the spirit of this award, but what makes her worthy of receiving it is not just what she has done but the promise of how much more she will accomplish in the years ahead for writers and readers in Richmond and throughout Virginia.
More about the RVA Book Bar HERE.
2022
Joanna Lee Founder of River City Poets
The 2022 Award goes to JOANNA LEE. From one of Joanna\’s nominators: Joanna has tirelessly helped, encouraged and connected writers, especially often neglected poets, working to provide new venues all over the Richmond area to give writers a chance to gain confidence and share with others. As an integral part of the poetry community in Richmond, she helps and promotes others, working to provide opportunities for poets to share their voices and writing and to bring poetry into greater prominence in the central Virginia area.
More about River City Poets HERE.
2021
Bird Cox Executive Director/Co-Founder of Richmond Young Writers
The 2021 Award goes to BIRD COX. From one of Bird\’s nominators: Bird Cox embodies everything the Emyl Jenkins award is intended to honor. Bird is a mentor to young writers and her fellow teachers, coaxing the best out of everyone that she touches. An exuberant teacher, she creates an amazing atmosphere of acceptance and discovery that helps young people express themselves without judgement or fear.
More about Bird Cox HERE.
2020
Lamar Giles Author/Speaker/Teacher/Co-Founder of We Need Diverse Books
The 2020 Award goes to LAMAR GILES. From one of Lamar\’s nominators: I’ve had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of publishing professionals. Lamar stands out as one of the kindest and most generous people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. He’s a soft-spoken warrior with a pen whose victories aren’t measured in book sales or awards but by the many readers and writers he empowers to tell their stories.
More about Lamar Giles HERE.
2019
Patty Parks Librarian/Bibliophile
The 2019 award goes to PATTY PARKS. One of Patty’s nominators wrote, “In her role as librarian-at-large for the City of Richmond, she seeks to find ways to make books and information a part of the fabric of our city. Whether it’s by supporting reading programs for children or programs collecting oral histories of our city residents, Patty is always thinking of a future where we are more compassionate, informed, and creative.”
2018
Valley Haggard Author/Teacher/Inspiration
The 2018 Award goes to VALLEY HAGGARD. From one of Valley\’s nominators: \”Valley’s approach to writing and writing education is incredibly inclusive, encouraging, and nurturing. Her dedication to Richmond Young Writers is inspiring, and her work with Lifein10Minutes is also more than notable.\” More about Valley Haggard HERE.
2017
Kelly Justice Owner of Fountain BookStore/Champion of Authors
2016
Doug Jones Author/Teacher
2015
Stan Galloway
2014
Denise Golinowski
2013
Louise Ball Co-Winner
Sophia Volpi Co-Winner
2012
Ed Lull Co-Winner
Virginia Screenwriters Forum Co-Winner
2011
Jean Anderson Co-Winner
WriterHouse Co-Winner