Lake Writers | Making literary ripples

Lake Writers didn't choose ads at the top of this site.

The Lake Writers did not choose any of the advertisers whose messages are displayed at the top of this webpage and do not, as a group, endorse any company. We advise anyone interested in procuring the services of a literary agency, submitting to a publisher, or entering a contest to check first with two websites that help identify scams: Preditors and Editors and Writer Beware.

Who we are

Lake Writers is the literary branch of the Smith Mountain Arts Council. We meet from 10 a.m. until noon on the second Friday of each month at the Moneta/SML Library on Rt. 122 in Moneta, Virginia. We also meet from from 10 a.m. until noon on the fourth Friday of each month at the new Westlake Branch of the Franklin County Library. We do not meet on holidays when the library is closed.

Notice: In June and July we will hold both monthly meetings at the Westlake Library.

Most members are retired; many of us are beginning writers. Some of us write for local publications or have self-published books. All of us are interested in improving our writing skills.

Contact our leader Jim Morrison if you are interested in joining us.

On July 2, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., Lake Writers presented a special program at the Moneta/SML Library: "Everything You Need to Know About Agents" with Chuck Sambuchino, an editor and author. Chuck gave a great presentation with lots of helpful information. Chuck mentioned us on his blog here (with picture!) and here.

Novel Contest

For information about the Lake Writers Novel Contest, click on the "Contests" link.

2009 Student Essay Contest results

The awards ceremony will be held on June 2, 2009, at 7:00 p.m., at the Moneta/SML Library on Rt. 122.

2009 Lake Writers Essay Contest

High School Winners

First Place: “Jumping Out of Cars” by Moriah Vickery
Homeschooled, Grade 9

Second Place: “My Sunday Mornings” by Rachel Heideman
Jefferson Forest High School, Grade 11

Third Place: “Generations Reunited” by Callie Burnett
Chatham High School, Grade 12

Honorable Mentions (two):
“Symbolism” by Hannah Oakes
Chatham High School, Grade 10

“Song of the Sea” by Hollie Wade
Chatham High School, Grade 10

Middle School Winners

First Place: “All Because of a Mouse” by Hannah Vickery
Home-schooled, Grade 8

Second Place: “My Family Memory” by Katherine Nicholson
Chatham Middle School, Grade 7

Third Place: “A Family Memory” by Alexandra Powell
Chatham Middle School, Grade 7

Honorable Mentions (three):
“Family Memories Getting Chicks” by Lindsay Bohn
Forest Middle School, Grade 7

“A Hawaiian Memory” by Megan E. Enneking
Forest Middle School, Grade 7

“Across America in Thirty Days” by Megan Beisser
Bedford Middle School, Grade 7

Blogs of Lake Writers Keep Busy

Many Lake Writers have blogs: Jack Rupert (now deceased, but his blog still exists), Becky Mushko, Sally Roseveare, Marion Higgins, Claudia Condiff, Betsy Ashton, Fran Nielsen and Lorie Long.