Why Join Write by the Rails?
We’ve all been there, alone in a room, staring at a blank screen or scribbling notes that make us wonder why we bother trying to write anything. Writing can be an isolating, frustrating experience. You need a community of cheerleaders, educators, experienced professionals and colleagues. That’s where Write by the Rails (WbtR) comes in.
Join us today to take advantage of all that WbtR has to offer! Click here to submit a membership application.
Core Values
Enthusiasm
WbtR is passionate about the process of creating and propagating the written word, and encourages others to share in this fascination. WbtR, its officers, and members act in concert to meet common goals.
Integrity
WbtR’s credibility rests on a foundation of personal and professional ethical standards.
Gratitude
We are grateful for the support the local business and nonprofit communities have given us. We strive to be good guests by making purchases during meetings and leaving the premises the way we found them.
Respect
WbtR cultivates an atmosphere of mutual respect for individuals and organizations both internal and external to our organization.
Genre
WbtR is an inclusive organization that welcomes members without discrimination of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability. The organization accepts, recognizes, and fosters a diversity of intellectual and artistic written expression. Note, certain venues and publications do require written and spoken material to be at a “PG-13” rating. Writing is largely about audience, so please consider that before sharing graphic work.
Our Track Record
Our goal is to help connect you with other writers, and along the way, meet our mission of raising the profile of our talented, local literary community. We’ve done it, too, since 2011.
The area’s longest-running literary group with a statewide affiliation, Write by the Rails is the Prince William area chapter of the nonprofit Virginia Writers Club which celebrated 100 years in 2018.
Since its inception, WbtR has held regular meet and greets and workshops, spearheaded programs for adults and youth, produced anthologies, kicked off the local Poet Laureate program, inspired readings and events and networked with other local groups.
Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park have become central to the Northern Virginia literary scene, and WbtR is proud to be a part of that.
