Scene from JRW 2012 Conference

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For those who have attended James River Writers’ annual conference, you’ll be familiar with the buzz of inspiration and creativity that comes home with you … and hopefully sticks around for a while!

This year’s conference, which marked our 10th anniversary of connecting writers and readers, appears to have had the same effect on a number of attendees who have blogged about the event:

Diann Ducharme, Flotsam and Jetsom: “Writing is a solitary profession. That’s why it’s so nice to have James River Writers. The nonprofit group has been hosting its annual writing conference for the past 10 years, and I think I’ve been in attendance for at least 9 of them.”

Phyllis “Maggie” Duncan, Unexpected Paths: “The Greater Richmond Convention Center hosted this year’s James River Writers Conference … and I was pleased. Light, roomy, airy, the space almost made the conference seem small, but the meeting rooms were larger, as was the exhibit space. The conference fee this year included lunch for both days of the conference, which was very convenient, and the food wasn’t too bad either. Also, the conference was part of the Virginia Literary Festival this year, and it’s a good fit.”

Leila Gaskin, Write Am I: “The James River Writers Conference, celebrating its 10th year, ended last night (10/21/12) … This conference [fed] my soul and gave me a boost.”

Jenn Falls, Falls Into Writing: “This past weekend, I attended the James River Writers Conference … I had a great time attending panels and learning so much from what literary agents look for in queries and first pages to how authors went from humble writers like me to published authors speaking to participants at a writing conference.”

Léna Roy, Léna’s Lit Life: ” ‘Challenge every word you write, forget about publishing and have fun,’ Tom Robbins told us at lunch on Saturday as he lounged in a chair on the stage, looking more hipster than octogenarian. His words echo the ones I have been telling myself lately, and as I ride the train back to New York, leaving Richmond, Virginia and the James River Writers’ Conference I feel invigorated by my time with other writers on every stage of the journey.”

Kevin Hanrahan, Writer/Soldier/Dog Advocate: “So this year as I drove up Route 64 towards Richmond for the 2012 James River Writers Conference, I listened to the fantasy football channel on my Sirius radio contemplating some lineup changes. I had no idea what agents were available for the one-on-one pitch session. I hadn’t spent hours writing and practicing a pitch for Pitchapalooza. I hadn’t even looked at the conference agenda to see which workshops I wished to attend. I simply wanted to spend the weekend being surrounded by creativity.”

Denise Golinowski’s Gambol: “Romance is likely; strike up a conversation! In a way, that’s exactly what I’ve been doing all weekend at the James River Writers Writing Conference. This three-day event … featured a diverse cast of talented speakers on a plethora of informative panels. And everyone from feature speakers to first-time attendees are in the throes of a serious romance with the written word in all her glorious forms.”

Julie Schoerke expressed her enthusiasm for the conference in a letter to the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

 “I was honored to be a guest of the James River Writers and spoke at the JRW Conference. This is the best literary conference/festival that I’ve attended in the U.S. and I speak frequently around the country at such events.”

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