History
Our Writing Journey
The Knoxville Writers Guild has been passionately fostering a vibrant community of writers, artists, and literary enthusiasts. Established to provide a supportive space for creative expression, we nurture talents through workshops, readings, and collaborative projects. Our legacy is built on the belief that stories can ignite change and bring people together, inspiring both writers and readers alike.
Board members serve a term of three years and may serve for two terms. The KWG Board will have at least two openings for 2027. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors, contact Nancy Vala by September 2026: walkingsatallite@hotmail.com
KWG Board Members and Their Duties
The 2026-2027 Board of Directors
The Board of Directors keeps the Guild on steady footing, safeguarding the traditions that made this community strong while steering its growth with a clear, practical vision. They oversee programs, guide planning, support our members, and ensure the Guild continues to be a reliable home for writers of every stripe. Their job is simple and vital: uphold our mission, strengthen our community, and keep the Guild moving forward with purpose.
Rhea Carmon
President
Rhea Carmon (RheaSunshine) is a poet, educator, and activist who weaves passion and purpose into her work. Former Poet Laureate of Knoxville and East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame inductee, she's authored five chapbooks and three audio CDs. For over 20 years, she's traveled nationally using poetry for healing and liberation. As Executive Director of The 5th Woman Poetry Collective, she uplifts underrepresented voices. A Ph.D. candidate in children's literature, motivational speaker, teacher, wife, and mother, Rhea bridges STEM and storytelling while inspiring others to share their truths and transform communities through poetry's power.
Marilyn Mascaro
Vice-President, Program Coordinator
Marilyn Layman Mascaro is an educator, traveler, and East Tennessee native. Her latest book, When the Rivers Flowed: An Ambitious Hillbilly and a Southern Flapper Discover Knoxville, Tennessee, is a general interest history of her hometown based on the lives of her grandparents. She has published numerous essays, including in Chapter 16 of Humanities Tennessee, the Knoxville Writers Guild’s Re/View, and Grainger Today. Other publications include numerous poems and Surviving History, a book about East Tennessee during the Civil War. A former Associate Professor of English at Roane State Community College, Mascaro has two degrees from the University of Tennessee.
Linda Parson
Treasurer
Linda Parsons is the Poet Laureate of Knoxville, Tennessee. She is also the poetry editor for Madville Publishing and the copy editor for Chapter 16, the literary website of Humanities Tennessee. She is published in such journals as The Georgia Review, Iowa Review, Prairie Schooner, Southern Poetry Review, Terrain, The Chattahoochee Review, Shenandoah, and many others. Her sixth collection is Valediction: Poems and Prose. Five of her plays have been produced by Flying Anvil Theatre in Knoxville.
JT Dwyer
Treasurer
Nancy Vala
Design/Publications
Nancy is a published writer, poet, and artist, working on zines and as Art Director of KWG's Re|View magazine.
Rick Robinson
Writing Groups
Rick was a professional journalist for decades working for the Wall Street Journal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Joseph Woods
Design, Presenter
Joseph is also known as Black Atticus of new southern hip hop. He was Previously Knoxville's Poet Laureate.
Jeannette Brown
Board Member
Jeannette is published author and former KWG treasurer.
Drew Drake
Board Member
Drew is an actor, poet, and DJ. He is an instructor at Maryville College and Pellissippi State. Drew is the coordinator for the Knoxville Youth Poet Laureate program sponsored by KWG.
Kelly Ferguson
Board Member
Kelly is a story teller and founder of Hellmouth Magazine. She currently serves as Director of Lilienthal Gallery in Knoxville, TN.
Theo Mullen
Board Member
Theo is an artist and an author.
Tim Sralla