Roanoke Regional Writers Conference 2023
Welcome back! It’s my extreme honor to invite you to the 14th Annual Roanoke Regional Writers Conference! This is the perfect event to learn, grow, and connect with other writers in the area. RRWC23 takes place on January 20-21, 2023, at Hollins University in Roanoke. The snow date is January 27-28. The cost of the conference is $70 ($25 for students and faculty), including brunch in the dining hall on Saturday.
When we asked what you wanted to experience at RRWC23, the overwhelming response was not, as you might think, about writing skills or marketing tips—it was about COMMUNITY. As writers, we’re often siloed at our respective desks (or recliner, in my case!), and while this is sometimes necessary to get the work done, it’s also important to remember we’re not alone—especially after two years of a pandemic! This region alone has SO many incredible writers willing to share their knowledge, and RRWC23 is the ideal place to do it.
That’s why we’re doing things a little differently for our Friday night kickoff, and encouraging you to connect with fellow writers, learn a lot, and most importantly have FUN together! I am so pleased to welcome Kris Spisak as our premier guest at this year’s conference. She’s not only an incredible writer, but she’s also an editing queen, and she’s going to stir things up with her incredible “Grammartopia” workshop. Grammartopia is a game-show style event, where contestants (that’s you!) playfully battle it out for grammar prowess. What was the punctuation mark first found in the graffiti of ancient Pompeii? A member of what boy band once left the stage mid-concert to correct an apostrophe on a fan’s sign? Should we “flesh out” or “flush out” an idea? Do you want to take your writing “further” or “farther”? Prizes for winners and audience members include free books, free online writing class admission, and more!
The conference begins on Friday night at 7 p.m. with introductions, our scholarship presentation, and the interactive Grammartopia workshop. Saturday registration opens at 8:30 a.m., with classes starting at 9 a.m. Make sure to bring a pen and paper, or laptop, as well as any writing samples you might want to share in particular classes.
Class topics vary from fiction and nonfiction, journalism, editing, publishing (traditional and self-publishing), poetry, and more. In addition, we’re proud to promote our writing community. I highly encourage our writers to connect with others! Writing is a yearlong process, and we’d love for you to join our Facebook group to promote discussion, critiques, and more. We look forward to sharing our processes, learning from each other, and strengthening our friendships with such talented, hardworking writers!
We are grateful to Hollins University for hosting our annual event. In keeping with their updated Culture of Care Guidelines, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are strongly encouraged, but no longer required. However, masks are required in all indoor spaces for those who are not vaccinated, or for anyone showing any symptoms related to COVID-19, the flu, RSV, or a cold. Hollins will rely on guests to behave honorably and ensure they follow these protocols.
Liz Long, Director, RRWC
Liz Long is an editor, USA Today bestselling writer, dog lover, and self-proclaimed dessert expert from Roanoke, Virginia. She is the editor of The Roanoker and bridebook magazines and the Virginia Travel Guide, and indie author of over 20 published YA, fantasy and romance books, including her pen name. She is also the director of the Roanoke Regional Writers Conference, held annually at Hollins, as well as a freelance fiction editor helping clients with their work. She is also a board member for the Jefferson Center and frequent patron at her favorite local restaurants and businesses! Learn more about her at lizlongeditor.com.
January 16: Watch Liz’s interview on WDBJ7’s Here @ Home.
Details
Questions?
Contact Liz Long, conference organizer, at roanokewriters@gmail.com.