Valley Haggard
Executive Director
After traveling through New York, Italy, Colorado, Arkansas and Alaska, Valley returned to live in the house she grew up in, in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. She has taught creative writing to children through ART 180, the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, the Virginia Museum, the Children's Museum of Richmond and the UVA Young Writer's Workshop, where she was a camper for two years before becoming a counselor. As Style Weekly's Book Editor from 2004-2011, she wrote reviews, interviewed authors and judged the Style Weekly Fiction Contest and served on the board of the James River Writers from 2008-2011 in various positions, from producer of the monthly Writing Show to Vice Chair of the annual literary conference. She currently writes a monthly column for Belle, Style's magazine for women and teaches creative nonfiction to adults at the Black Swan Bookstore, Chop Suey Books and the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. With a BA in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College, a dog, a cat, a husband and a son, Richmond Young Writers combines her passion for both writing and teaching.Visit her at
www.valleyhaggard.com.
Bird Cox
Program Director
After receiving her English degree from the University of Virginia, Bird wrote regular food and art columns for C-ville Weekly and Brick Weekly and taught creative writing courses at the Visual Arts Center and VMFA. Currently hard at work on her second full-length screenplay, she also offers editorial and copy consultant services. She loves writing of any kind, but creating secret worlds of her own filled with strange and wonderful (and sometimes horrible) creatures is closest to her heart. Her years as a student at U.Va.'s Young Writers Workshop made a distinct impression, helping her to prioritize creative insight and exploration above all else. That desire - to look deeper and continually sharpen perspective - is what she aims to share with all of her students.
Julie Geen
Teacher
Julie Geen writes for Style Weekly, and has a monthly column in belle magazine. She is also looking for a good home for several screenplays. She teaches creative writing through Hanover County Parks and Rec. and has assisted in an ART 180 creative writing program. Follow her at juliegeen.com
