January 16-17, 2026
Details
A Message from the Director
2026 brings us the 17th Roanoke Regional Writers Conference, and it will be a doozy, celebrating our Appalachian heritage and the superior writing that comes from our region. The conference actually began in 2008 at the Jefferson Center, but Hollins invited us to its campus and Covid-19 robbed us of two years. But we have endured and even innovated.
This year, founder Dan Smith will again be at the director’s helm. Liz Long, who has directed for several years, has stepped back because of a heavy workload. We deeply appreciate her creative efforts, and she remains with us as a regular teacher.
Among our treats this year is a keynote address from Sharyn McCrumb, one of the very best of all Appalachian novelists, and an interview of new non-fiction superstar Beth Macy by internationally renowned biographer Roland Lazenby. There are more than a dozen other shining stars of this region’s literature on-hand to share with you.
Take the opportunity to talk to those teaching and those learning. This is the region’s writing community, and you are part of it.
Dan Smith
RWWC Director
Questions?
For questions, please reach out to roanokewriters@gmail.com.
Our Partners
RRWC is proud to partner with local literary sponsors: Book No Further and Book City Roanoke!