Write by the Rails

Summer Write-in: July
2026-07-11 10:30 - 12:00 UTC | Jirani Coffeehouse, 9425 West St, Manassas, 20110, United States
Join us for a chat over coffee and some inspiration for your writing. We will provide prompts that you could use for a Golden Nib entry or bring your own projects.

Golden Nib 2026 Submission Window
2026-07-10 00:00 - 2026-08-01 23:59
This year’s Golden Nib submission window will run from July 10th to August 1. Send your submissions to the judging mailbox (wbtrsubmissions@gmail.com) by no later than 11:59 pm on Saturday, August 1.
As a reminder, anyone who submits their pieces for evaluation must be a member of both Write by the Rails and our parent organization, The Virginia Writer’s Club.
To learn more about the competition, including how to properly format your submissions, you may access the information shared by the VWC here:
Virginia Writer’s Club 2026 Golden Nib Competition

Hunt for Your Next Story
2026-04-11 10:00 - 11:30
Ready to find your next great read? We invite you to bring a recommended book or a powerful excerpt you can share with fellow writers. Join us in discovering these literary gems!

Write ON the Rails
2026-03-14
Write by the Rails is on the move!
Join us for a very special March enrichment: Write ON the Rails.
We’ll gather in the morning and travel as a group via metro into the city, where we’ll enjoy a relaxed lunch at Clyde’s of Gallery Place. Along the way, participants will engage in some creative writing prompts, with time to share their work, exchange ideas, and spark new inspiration.
After lunch, we’ll make our way back with even more opportunities for creative writing before returning mid-afternoon.
To facilitate planning and ensure you receive all updates, please RSVP no later than March 7 to reserve your seat. You can find the sign-up form in our February 27th newsletter and in the members-only Facebook Group.
If you have any questions or experience difficulty finding the registration form, please reach out to us at writebytherails@gmail.com.

ScribbleCon26
2026-02-21 09:00 - 15:00 | Benton Middle School, 7411 Hoadly Road, Manassas, VA, United States
Do you like grabbing your pencil and scribbling your way to another dimension where anything is possible? Well, we have a day for you!

ScribbleCon26 is a writing workshop that welcomes students of all levels [middle school and above] and anyone [parents and guardians] who love to write. It is a creative, hands-on experience led by writing professionals. Come and write alongside professional writers, authors, poets, and teachers. Students will engage in the writing process by selecting topics, drafting, revising, and editing their original work.

Registration info is available at ScribbleCon26 Registration – Fill out form.
Contact John Dutton at: duttonjl@pwcs.edu for more information.

Parents are encouraged to come and write alongside their child!

Just write and you will be right!

Come Write In - Montclair Writers' Group
2026-02-18 18:00 - 2026-03-03 19:30 | Montclair Library, 5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries, VA, 22025, United States
Come Write In with the Montclair Writer’s Group every third Wednesday of the month.

February Enrichment—Fall in Love with Writing
2026-02-14 10:30 - 12:00 | Bull Run Regional Library, 8051 Ashton Ave, Manassas, VA, 20109, United States
Join us for another great writing enrichment and fall in love with writing!

Montclair Critique Group
2026-02-11 17:30 - 19:30 | Montclair Library, 5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries, VA, 22025, United States
Join the Montclair Critique Group every second Wednesday of each month at the Montclair library. You will need to coordinate with the host, Natalina Reis, in advance to ensure your pages can be read in advance of the meeting. See the WBTR members-only Facebook group for more information!

Writers' Conference: Transformations
2026-02-07 13:00 - 17:00 | George Mason University’s Potomac Science Center Multipurpose Room, 650 Mason Ferry Avenue, Woodbridge, VA, United States
Write by the Rails members are invited to attend the Transformations Writers’ Conference hosted by the Northern Virginia Writing Project. Two of our own members will be speaking at the event. Join PWC Poet Laureate, John Dutton and Sharon Krasny, author of “Iceman Awakens” and “Shroud of Ice” along with writer Marcie Atkins for this great FREE event.

Transform Your Writing to 3D with Foreshadowing and Symbols
Doodle Monster
Teachers as Writers: Making Space for your Own Creativity

Come Write In – Writing Critique Group
2026-01-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Montclair Library, 5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries, VA, 22025, United States
Join host Mike Mulligan for our January writer’s critique group at the Montclair Public Library, Room 3.

WBTR Winter Writing Book Club - Session #2
2026-01-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Online – Zoom
Join us for a special Winter Writing Book Club as we read Stephen King’s, On Writing. We will host two virtual Book Club sessions:

December 15th from 7:00 – 8:00 pm: Emphasis on Part 1 of the book (King’s Writing Journey)
January 19th from 7:00 – 8:00 pm: Emphasis on Part 2 of the book (King’s craft exploration)

Please register your interest in joining the Book Club by completing the form accessed by clicking the “Website” link under “Details” below. We will send registrants a Zoom link to the sessions in advance of each meeting.

Writers' Enrichment: Great Beginnings
2026-01-17 10:30 - 12:00 | 9132 Grant Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110, 9132 Grant Ave, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Explore the opening pages of novels and best-practices for hooking a reader.

Come Write In - Writing Critique Group
2025-12-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Montclair Library, 5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries, VA, 22025, United States
Join host Mike Mulligan for our December writer’s critique group at the Montclair Public Library, Room 3.

WBTR Winter Writing Book Club - Session #1
2025-12-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Online – Zoom

Write by the Rails Holiday Mixer and Elections
2025-12-13 10:30 - 12:00 | Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church, 9350 Main St, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Join us for a holiday potluck mixer and vote for your new board members.

Food Drive: Attendees are encouraged (but not required/expected) to bring non-perishable items for a food drive to help families in need this holiday season.
We will also host a holiday-card signing event and deliver the cards to Manassas area seniors.

Board positions up for election are Vice President and Treasurer.
Vice President:

The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in case of absence or vacancy and will chair the Program Committee.

Treasurer:

The Treasurer shall keep the accounts of the WbtR and provide a summary report at meetings and general membership. At the last meeting of the year, the Treasurer will make a full report on the WbtR’s finances. The books of the Treasurer shall be readily available for audit as required by the WbtR Bylaws.

Interested in running for an open position? Learn more about each role by clicking the “Website” link under “Details” below. Email your interest to writebytherails@gmail.com by Wednesday, 12/10 to ensure your name is on the ballot!

Write by the Rails Writers' Conference: Publishing Perspectives
2025-11-15 09:00 - 13:00 | Clearbrook Center of the Arts, 2230 Tacketts Mill Drive #B, Lake Ridge, VA, 22192, United States
✍️ Write by the Rails Writers Conference: Publishing Perspectives ✍️
Explore. Connect. Get Published.
Conference Schedule
9:00 – 9:40 AM: Opening Panel
Meet the Panelists: Maryel Stone, Heather Cole, Beth Ford, and James Blakey discuss their diverse publishing journeys.
9:40 – 10:30 AM Session 1: Short Story Publishing
📢 Speaker: James Blakey
Insights into getting your short stories published—from literary magazines to anthologies.
10:30 – 10:40 AM
☕ Break
10:40 – 11:30 AM Session 2: Small Press Publishing
📢 Speaker: Beth Ford
Learn how to navigate and thrive in the world of small press publishing.
11:30 – 11:40 AM
☕ Break
11:40 – 12:30 PM Session 3: Media Relations for Writers
📢 Speaker: Heather Cole
Master the art of media presence and grow your author platform.
12:30 – 1:00 PM Writing Blurbs and Loglines
✍️ Facilitator: Andrea Yarbough | Writing Enrichments
Craft compelling blurbs and irresistible loglines to hook readers and agents alike.
—
👥 Meet the Panelists
Maryel Stone – Self-Published Author
Heather Cole – Self-Published & Small Press Author
Beth Ford – Small Press & Traditionally Published Author
James Blakey – Self-Published, Small Press & Traditional Author
—
🎟️ REGISTRATION: Purchase tickets from EventBrite
$10 Members, $15 Non-members
📚 **ALL LEVELS WELCOME
Let your story find its path to publication. Join us for a morning of inspiration and practical advice!
Join us for a panel discussion regarding all things publishing, from querying to beta readers, from authors who have self-published, hybrid-, and traditionally published. Learn the tips, tricks and strategies to become published!

Come Write In
2025-10-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Montclair Library, 5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries, VA, 22025, United States
Melody Ann Kramer will host this month’s writing session (any genre!) at Montclair Library. Come for some craft prompts and, while you’re there, share some of your writing.

October Writers' Enrichment - Horror Writing
2025-10-11 10:30 - 12:00 | Bull Run Regional Library, 8051 Ashton Ave, Manassas, VA, 20109, United States
Where: Bull Run Library – Study Room B
When: Saturday, October 11 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Join us for a Horror Writing workshop with special guest speaker D.A. Jobe, author of the forthcoming Palmetto Boy.
D. A. Jobe is a Virginia writer with a love of music, miniature art, traveling, and horror movies. Her short fiction appears in Found 2: More Stories of Found Footage Horror, Monstrous Futures: A Sci-Fi Horror Anthology, and Bodies Full of Burning: An Anthology of Menopause-themed Horror. Her debut novel, Palmetto Boy, is slated for publication by Timber Ghost Press in 2026.
Website: https://dajobeauthor.wordpress.com/Bluesky: @d-a-jobe.bsky.socialRepresented by Tricia Skinner, Fuse Literary

In the Company of Laureates
2025-10-11 - 2025-10-12
Join The Poet Laureate Circle for their biennial poetry event with workshops and readings with local poets laureate.

Come Write In
2025-09-17 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-08-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Montclair Library, 5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries, VA, 22025, United States
Mike Mulligan hosts a monthly writing session (any genre!) at Montclair Library, Study Room 4. Come for some craft prompts and, while you’re there, share some of your writing. For questions, contact Mike via Facebook or email mulliganny@gmail.com.

Arts Alive
2025-09-14 12:00 - 17:00 | Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Cir, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Join us at Arts Alive with Spilled Ink to read your work (poetry, fiction, and nonfiction are all accepted). Contact John Dutton to sign up to read.

August Writer's Enrichment
2025-08-09 10:30 - 12:00 | Bull Run Regional Library, 8051 Ashton Ave, Manassas, VA, 20109, United States
Lines That Climb: Crafting Scenes with Dialogue and Depth

Bull Run Library
Group Study Room B

Celebrate Virginia - Virtual Writing Workshop
2025-07-30 19:00 - 20:00 | Online – Zoom
Are You Ready to Take a Coastal Summer Road Trip?
Join us for an online writing event celebrating your home state, Virginia! In this second installment of our Virginia series, we’re exploring the coastal summer road trip as you write your way into summer. Register for the Zoom meeting here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/G7KPF4PnRqmOWUd7SfIEyQ

Come Write In - July 2025
2025-07-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Montclair Library, 5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries, VA, 22025, United States
Mike Mulligan leads this monthly reading group. Starting in July, we’re moving from the conference room to a study room. It’s a bit smaller, but it should still suit our needs.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Mike via Facebook or at his email address, which can be found in the WBTR July Newsletter.
Otherwise, we’ll see you there—bring some of your beautifully polished material, ready to be read and enjoyed!

Get Golden Nib Ready!
2025-07-12 10:30 - 12:00 | Central Library, Manassas, 8601 Mathis Ave, Manassas, Virginia, 20110
Are You Golden Nib Ready? Join Our Critique Group – Bring Your Writing for Feedback!
Are you preparing to submit to the Golden Nib Writing Contest? Whether you’re polishing a short story, poem, or nonfiction piece, our critique group is here to help you strengthen your work. Bring a printed or digital copy of your writing and receive constructive feedback in a supportive, writer-focused environment.
All levels are welcome, from first-time submitters to seasoned writers. This is a great opportunity to get fresh eyes on your work, improve your submission, and connect with fellow writers who share your passion.
Come ready to share, listen, and grow—because every great story benefits from a great critique!

Golden Nib Submissions—Due August 1st!
2025-07-01 - 2025-08-01
Golden Nib Submissions Open July 1st!
We are pleased to announce submissions for this year’s Golden Nib competition will open July 1st and run through August 1st.
Can I Submit?
Yes IF you are also a member of the Virginia Writer’s Club. Not yet a member of the VWC? Don’t worry, you can become a member here: Virginia Writer’s Club
Other Submission Requirements

Work must be your own original work (pieces composed with AI are ineligible)
Work must not have been previously published (with the exception of your own personal blog/website)
Work cannot have previously won any contests

How do I Submit?
Learn more about the submission process here: VWC Golden Nib Submission Guidelines
Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and join our Facebook group for upcoming information on how to submit your works to WBTR when the submission window opens.

Celebrate Virginia - Virtual Writing Workshop
2025-06-25 19:00 - 20:00 | Online – Zoom
Join us on Wednesday, June 25th from 7:00 – 8:00 for an online writing event celebrating your home state, Virginia!
In this first of our Virginia series, we’re going to explore nearby locations for you to rest and rejuvenate as you write your way into summer.
Register here for the Zoom meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ALuHjNd0Tu2r92jwnTOIzw#/registration

Come Write In at the Montclair Library
2025-06-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Montclair Library, 5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries, VA, 22025, United States
Join WBTR member, Mike Mulligan for the first (of hopefully many) Write-Ins at the Montclair Library in Dumfries. As this is the first event of its kind, attendees have the opportunity to shape the cadence and focus of these writing sessions. Come for some craft prompts and, while you’re there, share some of your writing (works in progress, characters and worlds, etc.). And poetry writers, don’t fret. These Write-Ins are for you too—come on down!

Outdoor Writing Field Trip to Bull Run Winery
2025-06-14 12:00 - 14:00 | Bull Run Winery, 15950 Lee Hwy, Centreville, VA, 20120, United States
Join us for an outdoor writing field trip to the Bull Run Winery.
Observing the world around us can be a powerful inspiration. The power of nature inspires ideas, creates opportunities for reflection, and fuels a writer’s imagination. Good writers notice details, are aware of their senses, and observe what exists around them. We encourage our members to make the most of what they have in front of them.
