Spilled Ink
2023-07-28 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Jirani Coffeehouse, 9425 West St, Manassas, 20110, United States
open mic

VWC Symposium
2023-08-05 09:00 - 16:30
The Virginia Writers Club is accepting registration for their fall symposium. Visit https://virginiawritersclub.org/event-5305202 for more info.

WbtR Board Meeting on Zoom
2023-09-08 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-11-03 19:00 - 20:00
Zoom link will be provided to board members the week of the event.

Arts Alive
2023-09-10 12:00 - 16:00 | Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Cir, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Join local authors reading and selling their work at this annual event at Hylton Performing Arts Center.

Writer's Social
2023-10-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Barrel Oak Winery, 3623 Grove Ln, Delaplane, Virginia, 20144, United States
Meet us at Barrel Oak Winery and Brewery from 11 AM – 1 PM for a social outing. Bring your lawn chairs.
Look out for a sign up for wine tasting in September.

CANCELLED: Write by the Rails Fall Workshop, Full Steam Ahead 2023!
2023-11-11 09:00 - 12:30 | Clearbrook Center of the Arts, 2230 Tacketts Mill Drive #B, Lake Ridge, VA, 22192, United States
Members $10/Non-members $15
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with other writers and learn together at a bargain price! Keynote Speaker: Kim B. Miller

Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/write-by-the-rails-fall-workshop-full-steam-ahead-2023-tickets-737942555047?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=post_publish&utm_content=shortLinkNewEmail&fbclid=IwAR2R1maw1duf5XZUN_d_I_yptP2uRVP-RuvAlRkiXwnaA8k4PAVZD3lGDrI

December General Meeting & Elections
2023-12-09 10:00 - 12:00 | BRUU, 9350 Main St, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Please plan on attending our end of year general meeting where we will hold elections for Treasurer and President

January Enrichment
2024-01-13 10:00 - 11:30 | BRUU, 9350 Main St, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Hot Cocoa and Mittens

Join us at the Flamingo Lounge in BRUU for a morning of writing inspiration. Our Vice-President, Sharon Krasny, will lead the group, prompting us with some warm childhood memories to spark our creative muses!

February Enrichment
2024-02-10 10:00 - 11:30
Nancy Wyatt to lead writing prompts via Zoom.

March Writer's Enrichment
2024-03-09 10:00 - 11:30 | BRUU, 9350 Main St, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Don’t miss out on this award-winning author’s presentation: The Courage to Write Fiction. We are planning to record Greg’s presentation to offer our members but we hope you’ll make the effort to be there in person.

Greg Fields, local author and international speaker, will be joining us to share his presentation from the International Dublin Writers Festival. Greg is the author of Through the Waters and the Wild, winner of the 2022 Independent Press Award for Literary Fiction, the Independent Publishers Association Award, the New York Book Award for Literary Fiction and two other national recognitions.
He is currently an editor for his publisher, Koehler Books, and has just returned from Ireland where he presented at the International Dublin Writers Festival.
His first novel, Arc of the Comet, was published in 2017. A third novel, The Bright Freight of Memory, is scheduled for release in August 2024. www.gregfields.net.

April Writer's Enrichment
2024-04-13 10:00 - 11:30 | BRUU, 9350 Main St, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
The Poetry of Spring!
April Enrichment with Sharon Krasny
Saturday, April 13th, 10:00 AM
Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church
9350 Main St, Manassas, VA 20110
It’s spring! Birds are singing, cherry blossom petals are swirling in the brisk winds, and life is pressing on. Please join us on Saturday, April 13th in celebration of National Poetry Month for a poetry writing session led by our own Sharon Krasny.
We’ll meet at Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church and, weather permitting, we’ll let the spring sunshine inspire our pens. Please bring a tablet, pen, and something warm to wear in case of breezes. If it rains, we’ll head inside to the Conference Room and rely on our imaginations! (Keep in mind that the doors will lock at 10:10, so if you’re running late, post on the FB page so we know to come let you in!)
We’d love to see you and celebrate spring creativity with you! See you there!

Hop On Board - Spring Writing Workshop
2024-05-04 09:15 - 13:00 | Clearbrook Center of the Arts, 2230 Tacketts Mill Drive #B, Lake Ridge, VA, 22192, United States
Keynote Speakers:
Charles Tabb, Harry Heckel, and David Godwin from Virginia Writers Club. Panel on The Author Lifestyle: Getting the book written, the “Now What” phase, and writing/life balance.
Andrea Yarbough: “So Stylish” – using rhythm and punctuation to entice your readers
Thomas Burson: Poetry Speaks
John Dutton: “Just Write and You’ll be Right!”
Open Mic
Members: $10
Non-members: $15
Register here: EventBrite

June Writer's Enrichments
2024-06-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church, 9350 Main St, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Is Your Work Submission Ready?
June Writer’s Enrichments
Saturday, June 8th at 10:00 AM
Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church
9350 Main St, Manassas, VA 20110
With the VWC Golden Nib contest as well as the WbtR biennial anthology approaching, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and help each other get our pieces into shape!
One of the best reasons to join a local writing group is to surround ourselves with the encouraging and critical minds of fellow creatives! Let’s use our skills to help sharpen our prose, polish our rhetoric, and improve our voices.
On Saturday, June 8th, our Writers Enrichment will be all about improving and tweaking our best pieces to get them ready for submission. Bring three copies of at least one piece to share – a maximum of 5 pages long. We’ll split up into groups, read, make notes, and share our insight.
Don’t forget to bring an open mind to receive feedback as well as an open heart to offer your own feedback to fellow authors. We’ll offer some tips on giving – and receiving! – feedback before we begin.
We are looking forward to a great turn-out. Keep in mind that the church doors will automatically lock at 10:10, so if you’re running late, post on the FB page so we know to come let you in!

July Writer's Enrichment
2024-07-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church, 9350 Main St, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Is Your Work Submission Ready?
July Writer’s Enrichment
Saturday, July 13th at 10:00 AM
Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church
9350 Main St, Manassas, VA 20110
With the VWC Golden Nib contest as well as the WbtR biennial anthology approaching, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and help each other get our pieces into shape!
One of the best reasons to join a local writing group is to surround ourselves with the encouraging and critical minds of fellow creatives! Let’s use our skills to help sharpen our prose, polish our rhetoric, and improve our voices.
On Saturday, July 13th, our Writers Enrichment will be all about improving and tweaking our best pieces to get them ready for submission. Bring three copies of at least one piece to share – a maximum of 5 pages long. We’ll split up into groups, read, make notes, and share our insight.
Don’t forget to bring an open mind to receive feedback as well as an open heart to offer your own feedback to fellow authors. We’ll offer some tips on giving – and receiving! – feedback before we begin.
We are looking forward to a great turn-out. Keep in mind that the church doors will automatically lock at 10:10, so if you’re running late, post on the FB page so we know to come let you in!

October Writer's Enrichment
2024-10-12 10:00 - 12:00 | BRUU, 9350 Main St, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
FRIGHT OR WRITE!!
October 12th at 10 AM
Join us at Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church in Old Towne Manassas for a ghoulish good time. We’ll bring the treats – prompts to inspire you, ideas that will trick your muse into screaming with delight!
Poetry? Fiction? Ghost stories? Quips? If you write it, we’ll read it!
Remember, the church doors lock at 10:10 AM, so be prompt or be bamBOOzled!

Crowning of the 2024-2026 PWC Poet Laureate Ceremony
2024-10-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Cir, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
The crowning ceremony for the next Prince William County Poet Laureate for 2024-2026 will be October 12 at 1:00 PM at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Visit The Poet Laureate Circle for more details.

WbtR at Spilled Ink
2025-01-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Jirani Coffeehouse, 9425 West St, Manassas, 20110, United States
On Friday, January 24, at 6:00 PM WbtR will be meeting at Jirani Coffeehouse in Old Town Manassas to share our written work alongside Spilled Ink.

ScribbleCon25
2025-02-15 09:00 - 15:00 | Louise A. Benton Middle School, 7411 Hoadly Road, Manassas, VA, 20112, 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!
ScribbleCon25 is a writing workshop that welcomes students of all levels [middle school and above] and anyone [parents and guardians] who loves writing. 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 will be available soon! Just write and you will be right!
Please share this with all of your Language Arts / Creative Writing teachers.
PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED POSTER.

Contact John Dutton for more information.
DUTTONJL@PWCS.EDU

Northern Virginia Writing Project
2025-03-22 13:00 - 17:00
Write by the Rails is invited to attend the Northern Virginia Writing Project writer’s conference on March 22 at the Lorton library from 1:00 – 5:00 pm.
For further details about the event, please contact Andrea Yarbrough at ayarbough@alexandritepublishing.com.

Celebrate National Poetry Month
2025-04-01 - 2025-04-30
Celebrate National Poetry Writing Month by writing a poem a day for the entire month and share it with Write by the Rails Facebook group.

Spring Writing Workshop
2025-05-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church, 9350 Main St, Manassas, VA, 20110, United States
Join us for our spring writing workshop at the Flamingo Lounge in the Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church in downtown Manassas on May 10 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.
We’ll be exploring the art of editing and preparing manuscripts for publishing.

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.

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!

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

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.

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!

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!

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

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
