About WV Writers

Established in 1977, West Virginia Writers, Inc. is the largest all-volunteer, writers' resource and service organization serving literary interests in West Virginia.

We are founded on the fundamental principle that the written word is one of the most distinguishing characteristics of all human endeavors. Our aim is to expand and develop creative writing and professional opportunities for writers and to connect the state's writers with others in the literary community and the public at large.

WV Writers sponsors both an annual writers conference and an annual writing competition.

Mission and Goals

Support and encourage serious writing activities within the writing community
Establish a networking system for writers
Promote writing as an artform
Give voice to our people and way of life
Expose the public, particularly our children, to the importance of writing
Encourage appreciation of the literary arts
Expand the horizons and deepen the appreciation of life, culture and communication among writers and all citizens of West Virginia.

Equality Statement

As an organization, we respect diversity, embrace inclusion, and will never endorse any discriminatory practices in any form toward any writer. We do not discriminate on the basis of political, religious, or other views. We're a group composed of a wide range of viewpoints and belief systems, and we like it that way. Your interests, viewpoints, and opinions are a vital brushstroke in the colorful landscape of literary life.

Latest News

Announcing our 2023 Fall Conference! Click HERE for all the details.

And the winner is... Click HERE for a list of our 2023 Writer's Contest Winners.

Officers and Staff

ORGANIZATIONAL OFFICERS

To contact us email: westvirginiawriters@gmail.com | subject line: individual or topic; or use our online contact form.

President -- M. Lynne Squires, Scott Depot
1st Vice President -- Cole Smith, Washington
2nd Vice President -- Lisa Hayes-Minney, Glenville
Treasurer -- Sharon Waters, Beckley
Secretary -- Amy Deal, Huntington
Parliamentarian -- Laura Jackson, Wheeling
President Emeritus -- Brad Mills, Charleston

VALUED STAFF

Tim Huguenin, Newsletter editor
Carter Taylor Seaton, Contest Coordinator

REGIONAL REPS

WV Writers utilizes volunteer representatives from 10 multi-county regions of the state as a resource in each geographical area.

Region 1 -- Lisa Hayes-Minney (Clay, Gilmer, Braxton, Roane, Calhoun)
Region 2 -- Shannon Bennett Campbell (Pendleton, Randolph, Pocahontas, Webster)
Region 3 -- Cheryl Kula (Greenbrier, Monroe, Nicholas, Summers)
Region 4 -- Audrey Stanton-Smith (McDowell, Fayette, Mercer, Raleigh, Wyoming)
Region 5 -- Shelley Schiavone (Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne)
Region 6 -- Betsy Allen (Boone, Kanawha, Putnam)
Region 7 – Heather Noble (Jackson, Mason, Wood, Pleasants, Ritchie, Wirt)
Region 8 -- John Harris (Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler, Wetzel, Doddridge)
Region 9 -- Julia Todd, and Lisa McCombs (Barbour, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Taylor Tucker, Upshur)
Region 10 -- Tom Donlon, (Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan)