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.
Upcoming Events
2026 Annual Contests
Our 2026 writing contests will be open on January 15, 2026 and will close March 31, 2026.
2026 June Conference
Our 2026 Annual Conference will be held June 12-14, 2026 at Cedar Lakes in Ripley, WV.
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.
Membership Join/Renew
Click the table above for an overview of our different membership levels.
We would love to have you as a member at any level. Please join us.
If you're already a member, or have been in the past, you can renew your membership.
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.
Contact WV Writers
Officers and Staff
ORGANIZATIONAL OFFICERS
To contact us email: westvirginiawriters@gmail.com | subject line: individual or topic; or use our online contact form.
- President - Sherrell Wigal, Parkersburg
- 1st Vice President - Kristin Steele, Huntington
- 2nd Vice President - Pagett Dusic, Huntington
- Secretary - Melanie Sabol, Harwood, MD
- Treasurer - Kara Starcher, Chloe
- Parliamentarian - John Harris, Wellsburg
- President Emeritus - Brad Mills, Charleston
VALUED STAFF
- Timothy G Huguenin, Newsletter Editor
- Natalie Sypolt, Contest Coordinator
- Brad Mills, Webmaster
- VACANT, Historian
- David Prather, June Conference Director
- VACANT, Fall Conference Director
REGIONAL REPS
WV Writers uses volunteer representatives from 10 multi-county regions of the state as a resource in each geographical area.
- Region 1: Lisa Hayes-Minney (Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Roane)
- Region 2: VACANT (Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Webster)
- Region 3: Cheryl Kula (Greenbrier, Monroe, Nicholas, Summers)
- Region 4: Audrey Stanton-Smith (Fayette, McDowell, Mercer, Raleigh, Wyoming)
- Region 5: Michele Schiavone (Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne)
- Region 6: Betsy Allen (Boone, Kanawha, Putnam)
- Region 7: Joe Stephens (Jackson, Mason, Pleasants, Ritchie, Wirt, Wood)
- Region 8: Laura Jackson (Brooke, Doddridge, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler, Wetzel)
- Region 9: Lisa McCombs, Julia Todd (Barbour, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Taylor, Tucker, Upshur)
- Region 10: Thomas Donlon (Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan)