Virginia Writing Groups, Workshops, and Creative Writing Classes
Here you’ll find a collection of resources for writers in Virginia, from conferences to local critique groups, workshops, and creative writing classes. If you’re looking for writing groups near you, a workshop or class, a place to connect with other writers, or somewhere to submit your work, these Virginia writing resources are worth checking out.
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Writing Organizations & Groups
Writing classes, speaker events, panel discussions, and networking meetings in Williamsburg, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and surrounding areas for writers of all types and experience levels. (Chesapeake Bay)
The nation’s first academic center for Black poetry, Furious Flower is affiliated with James Madison University and features creative writing classes and workshops, readings by visiting poets, an annual fellowship, a journal (The Fight & the Fiddle), programming for children, and more. (Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley)
Central Virginia’s self-styled “literary hub,” James River Writers offers weekly readings and discussions, an annual writers conference, writing workshops, master classes, write-ins, annual contests, and more. (Richmond)
Meripoint Books & Writing Corner
Offers weekly writing hours and craft workshops in a quiet and creative space. (Williamsburg)
With its own space featuring five classrooms, a semi-private writers room, and an auditorium for readings and panels, the Muse offers more than 400 events annually, including writing classes, workshops, and groups for beginners and experienced writers and an annual conference. (Norfolk)
Northern Virginia Writers Club
The Northern Virginia Writers Club serves aspiring and published authors in and around Arlington, Fairfax, and other counties. The group offers writing workshops and classes, panel discussions, and expert guest speakers who address both craft and the business of writing. (Falls Church)
With a membership of more than 400 writers and educators, the Poetry Society features readings and open mics, visiting guest poets, writing workshops and classes, festivals, an annual anthology, and more. (Richmond)
Offers year-round creative writing workshops, camps, and other programs for young writers, with offerings geared toward children and teens at a range of experience levels. (Richmond)
Offers writing contests, an annual symposium, and literary events held by its ten chapters throughout the state. Its mission is to support and stimulate the craft and the business of writing. (Statewide, based in Moneta)
VisArts features a variety of courses in the arts, including writing classes in its Carole Weinstein writing studio. It also offers an 11-month writing residency and an annual poetry fest. (Richmond)
Writer House features writing workshops, classes, seminars, critique groups, and other literary events, along with an affordable, secure workspace and meeting space for local writers. (Charlottesville)
Offers writing classes and critique groups dedicated to craft and community in various spots in and around Waynesboro and Harrisonburg. (Shenandoah Valley)
Conferences & Retreats
An annual five-day retreat that includes both writing workshops and one-on-one manuscript work with faculty. Lodging options include scenic cottages along the Potomac. (Loudoun County)
Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP)
The granddaddy of all writing conferences, AWP draws around 10,000 writers each year, along with hundreds of literary magazines, independent publishers, and university creative writing programs. AWP offers four days of panel discussions, readings, offsite events, and one of the biggest book fairs in the country. While the host city changes annually, AWP itself is based in Virginia and provides year-round resources, advocacy, and community for writers and writing programs. (Norfolk)
An annual festival held in October by George Mason University, Fall for the Book offers headlining writers such as Stephen Graham Jones and Celeste Ng, along with readings, panel discussions, and book prizes. Attendance is free. The organization also hosts events locally throughout the year. (Fairfax)
An annual festival at Old Dominion University, sponsored by its MFA program. Held every late September or early October, the festival features readings, panels, writing workshops, live performances, and more, with past appearances by acclaimed authors such as Rita Dove, Derek Walcott, and Gwendolyn Brooks. (Norfolk)
Invites writers and artists to an historic farmhouse on the James River, complete with spacious porches and large private rooms. Operated by writers, the space also hosts workshops and manuscript consultations. (Norwood)
Tinker Mountain Writers’ Workshop
Sponsored by and held at Hollins University, the summer residential workshop offers writing classes and manuscript review, craft talks and discussions, and social events, while its spin-off Virtual Winter Recharge features online classes and gatherings. (Roanoke)
An annual event that brings thousands of attendees and more than 100 authors for guest readings and discussions, book signings, children’s programming, a book fair, and more. The festival is hosted by the Virginia Center for the Book, a program of Virginia Humanities. (Charlottesville)
An annual week-long cultural and arts festival that includes a literary component full of presentations, writing workshops, panel discussions, and book signings. (Abingdon)
Among the offerings of the WWC are retreats intended to be both generative and relaxing. (Richmond)
Literary Magazines & Publishers
Founded in the 1970s, Artemis is an annual literary and arts journal that publishes poetry and visual art, with a particular interest in work by women and writers from the Appalachian region. (Roanoke)
Operated by the English Dept. at Virginia Commonwealth University, Blackbird publishes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, video essay, and more. (Richmond)
Meridian is the University of Virginia’s annual journal, run by its creative writing program. Though it publishes names such as Seamus Heaney and Rita Dove, it’s known as being particularly open to beginning writers. Poetry, fiction, and essays from Meridian have appeared in the Best American and Pushcart anthologies. (Charlottesville)
Independent literary magazine publishing prose, poetry, and visual art in quarterly print issues and online galleries. Founded in 2022, Quibble welcomes emerging and established writers and accepts free submissions during open reading periods. (Blue Ridge Mountains / Online)
Edited and published by students in the creative writing department at the University of Mary Washington, the journal features poetry, fiction, nonfiction, visual art, and audio. (Fredericksburg)
A free online biannual published by Washington and Lee University, Shenandoah features poetry, fiction, nonfiction, artwork, and more. (Lexington / Shenandoah Valley)
An independent, nonprofit literary press based at George Mason University, Stillhouse publishes fiction, nonfiction, and poetry while giving students hands-on experience in literary publishing. The press holds periodic open submission windows and does not accept agented manuscripts. (Fairfax)
More than 100 years old, VQR is one of the most esteemed literary magazines in the country and an annual finalist in the National Magazine Awards. It publishes fiction, poetry, essays, reviews, and more, and boasts a vibrant website. (Charlottesville)
Help us add to this list, Virginians! Do you know of writing groups near you, writing workshops near you, creative writing classes near you, or a Virginia literary journal or publisher we should be aware of? Let us know here. We periodically review these listings for broken links and outdated information.