About Us — Georgia Writers

Who Are We?

Georgia Writers Association (GWA) was founded in 1994 by poet, writer, and artist, Geri Taran, prize-winning author Anthony “Tony” Grooms, and literary agent Susan L Graham. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit administratively housed in Kennesaw State University’s English Department, GWA focuses on connecting and highlighting writers through workshops and events, while building a community that encourages and facilitates growth and development among members in the writing community. With the goal of promoting diverse authors and stories, GWA provides resources for writers in all stages of the writing process.

Members of GWA have access to many programs including, but not limited to: Georgia Author of the Year Awards (GAYA), an award program that celebrates the best literature by Georgia writers; the Red Clay Writers Conference, which provides networking and learning opportunities between other writing professionals; the John Lewis Writing Grants, which elevate, encourage, and inspire the voices of Black writers in Georgia; and the Fine Arts Work Center Scholarship, which gives a Georgia Writers member an opportunity to participate in a week-long workshop in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

GW was founded in 1994 by Geri Taran - a poet, writer, and artist - along with prize-winning author and Professor of Creative Writing Anthony “Tony” Grooms, in conjunction with literary agent Susan L. Graham. Our organization is housed on the Kennesaw State University campus, though many of our events take place around the state.
Former Executive Directors:
Geri Taran (1994 - 2006)
Ralph Wilson (2006 - 2010)
Margaret Walters (2010 - 2017)
Jenny Sadre-Orafai (2017 - 2022)
Current Executive Director:
Garrard Conley
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.
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.
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.
You can become a member, which means you will get access to free monthly workshops, a complimentary substack subscription, discounts, and much more. If you’re a professional writer, you can join our Georgia Writers Registry today.
Office Address:
440 Bartow Avenue
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Email:
administrator@georgiawriters.org