About James River Writers

Our Mission

James River Writers is a nonprofit, Richmond, Virginia-based group of professional writers and friends of literature who have joined to promote the art of writing and the love of books in Virginia. Our aim is to encourage readers and aspiring writers, and to spur awareness of contemporary authors and their work. By initiating, assisting or running a variety of literary events, we serve and celebrate our community as one that has long fostered and gained strength from the literary arts.

History

James River Writers was established in 2002 and our first annual conference was held in October, 2003.

What We Do

JRW serves aspiring and professional writers and passionate readers in all genres through a variety of programs, services, and events, often presented in partnership with other area cultural organizations. We are supported through the generosity of our individual and corporate members.

Signature Events & Programs

• Annual Conference
• The Writing Show, monthly panel discussion on the art and business of writing
• Virginia Arts & Letters Live featuring Virginia actors reading the work of Virginia authors
• People's Choice Awards, presented in partnership with the Library of Virginia
• Best Unpublished Novel Contest, presented in partnership with Richmond Magazine
• Get Your Word On e-newsletter
• Literary Events Calendar
• The 2008 Student Writing Contest
• Writer's Wednesdays, monthly social time at Richbrau's TapHouse Grill, 1212 E. Cary Street, 5:30-7:30pm, every second Wednesday

Past featured guests:

Jeannette Walls (The Glass Castle)
Hampton Sides (Blood and Thunder, Ghost Soldiers)
Alex Kershaw (Bedford Boys)
Dennis McFarland (The Music Room)
Chuck Adams (executive editor, Algonquin Press)
Edward P. Jones (The Known World)
Mark Bowden (Black Hawk Down, Guests of the Ayatollah)
Pat Carroll (actor)
Morgan Entrekin (president and publisher, Grove/Atlantic)
Ron Hogan (Galleycat)
Tony Horwitz (Confederates in the Attic, Blue Latitudes)
Owen Laster (agent, William Morris)
Nick McDonnell (Twelve)
Rosalind Miles (I, Elizabeth)
Jennifer Niesslein (Brain, Child co-founder)
Richard Price (Clockers)
Chris Regan (writer for The Daily Show)
Tom Robbins (Even Cowgirls Get the Blues)
Stephanie Wilkinson (Brain, Child co-founder)