About the Festival
Read. Write. Repeat.
The Emerging Writers Festival is produced by Old Town Books and is dedicated to bringing new voices onto the page and into the world. It takes place over three days and multiple venues across Old Town Alexandria, VA, from August 21st - 23rd, 2020.
Our primary venue partner is The Atheneum, located at 201 Prince St, Alexandria, VA 22314.
Writing classes and publishing intensives led by authors, agents, and editors will also take place at other venues across the city, including Old Town Books, located at 104 South Union Street, Alexandria, VA.
Traveling to Alexandria to attend the festival? We’ll share the link for hotel rooms using our group discount soon.
Transportation + Parking: Festival venues are just minutes from Amtrak and National Airport, and is walking distance from public transport. More travel details for our 2020 venues coming soon.
where to find us
Our Sponsors
Venue Partners
The Organizers
Ally Kirkpatrick - Festival Director
Festival Director Ally Kirkpatrick is a devoted reader of new writing and debut books. She is the founder and proprietor of Alexandria’s newest independent bookstore, Old Town Books. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @oldtownbooks.
Allison Punch - Festival Manager
Allison Punch is a reader, writer and Michigander who promotes effective philanthropy at Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO). She was awarded the Deacon Maccubin Young Writers Award at the OutWrite LGBTQ Literary Festival in 2016. You can follow all her reviews on #bookstagram at @allisonreadsdc.
Kim McCraw - Festival Coordinator
Kim McCraw is a Michigander (Go Blue!) and avid reader. When she's not reading, she's baking, running, listening to 90's punk rock, or trying to convince her dog to stop eating her pens. Follow her on Instagram @runoutofpages.