Mission

Georgia Writers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which supports writers at all stages of their careers. Our mission is to help reshape the literary landscape by building a community of excellent writers who represent our state's cultural renaissance.

Vision

Georgia Writers believes that our state is one of the most vital hubs for arts and letters in this country. By promoting diverse authors and stories in the South, we help reshape the literary landscape by building a community of excellent writers.

Values

Access: By connecting professionals with emerging writers, we offer pathways to success in all areas of the industry. Hit a gate? We help you crash it.

Diversity: We uplift historically underrepresented voices in Georgia. Our region carries a wealth of experience and complexity we want to share with the world.

Creativity: We encourage experimentation from our members. Our workshops, writing prompts, and grants provide opportunities for growth and innovation.

Community: We believe everyone deserves a seat at the table. Whether self-published or well-established, writers who work with us support one another.

What We Do Each Year:

Support 3 Black Georgia-based writers with the John Lewis Writing Grants
Host the Red Clay Writers Conference, held this upcoming year on April 15, 2023, with Oprah Book Club and New York Times best-seller Tayari Jones as our keynote!
Host the Georgia Author of the Year Awards
Provide scholarships, such as the Fine Arts Work Center Scholarship, to our members
Maintain the Georgia Writers Registry, which connects GA-based authors and venues
Provide event grants to writers in our registry
Host monthly in-person and virtual workshops
Provide one-on-one consultation with early-stage writers
Promote local authors

Why We Need Your Support:

Your support will help our four-person team expand scholarship opportunities for early-career writers living in Georgia and provide a pathway to offering our services completely free of charge. We believe that there should be no barriers to a thriving literary community, especially here in Georgia. Our dream is to offer more free need-based memberships, more writing scholarships, and more mentorship opportunities to anyone who needs it. Reaching our fundraising goal will allow us to launch these new opportunities. Specifically, these funds will allow us to pilot our Mentorship Program, which will connect established writers with up-and-coming writers, breaking down the barriers to publishing and other forms of success.

A Note from Our Executive Director, Garrard Conley:

Georgia Writers has faced a difficult transition this year. We are certainly not alone. Community seems harder to come by these days, and navigating in-person and virtual events in order to serve our members has proved challenging. Even so, the members I have met and the dedicated literary citizens I've encountered have given me a great deal of hope. There are still so many people hungry for a vibrant literary community here in Georgia, and so much great work being done. With your help, Georgia Writers will be able to expand our offerings. This year we have been able to: pilot a new scholarship program, successfully award our second-annual John Lewis Writing Grants, and expand the scope of our Red Clay Writers Conference. It is my hope that, starting next year, we can begin our free membership program, along with a mentorship program which will place GA established authors alongside up-and-coming writers. Thank you so much for your support!

Support the Literary Arts in Georgia!

Empowering Georgia Writers at All Stages of their Careers

Team Members