Emyl Jenkins Award

Author and Writer Advocate Emyl JenkinsTo 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 June 1, 2024 through July 31, 2023. 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

 

PAST WINNERS of the EMYL JENKINS AWARD

2022

Emyl Jenkins Award

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

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

giles lamar

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

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 square

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 2

Kelly Justice Owner of Fountain BookStore/Champion of Authors

More about Kelly\’s fabulous bookstore and all it has to offer HERE.


 

2016

doug jones

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