Writers & Readers 2025

Two days of immersive and interactive sessions and workshops on topics such as poetry, fiction, non-fiction, children's books, fantasy, mysteries, southern and Appalachian literature, playwriting, storytelling, and songwriting.

Meet and learn from this year's presenters: Sheri Castle (culinary writing & keynote speaker), Derek Davidson (playwriting), Ed Davis (non-fiction), Bonny Gable (fiction), Alix Harrow (fantasy & keynote speaker), Matthew Kelley (fiction), Ann Ledgerwood (children & youth), Denton Love (poetry), Felicia Mitchell (poetry), Mary Munsey (songwriting), Rebekah Wilson (young adult), Charles Vess (illustration)

NEW FOR 2025: An Evening with Sheri Castle: an Emmy-winning food show personality, cookbook writer, & storyteller.

Join us at the beautiful SWVA Cultural Center & Marketplace on July 25 for an intimate setting with two ticket options available: July 25, 6:00-8:30pm, $35: Presentation and wine reception with light fare featuring recipes from Sheri's wildly popular cookbook, The New Southern Garden Cookbook (wine from 6-7pm only). July 25, 7:00-8:30pm, $20: Presentation only.

People describe Sheri Castle as a writer, cook, teacher, and television host, but at the heart of it all, she’s a storyteller. Sheri grew up in Watauga County, North Carolina in her beloved Blue Ridge Mountains, and tells us that even though she’s explored the role of foodways from all sorts of places and perspectives, her Appalachian roots are foundational to her culinary world view and sense of what makes a story worth telling. This evening, Sheri will share a little of her own story of how her career in professional food writing and media came to be.

These events are for writers (aspiring to professional) and for readers of all types.