JWC Turns Twenty!
A free annual conference, we continue to welcome all interested in sharing ideas on the art, craft, and business of writing in the English language
JWC Turns Twenty!
A free annual conference, we continue to welcome all interested in sharing ideas on the art, craft, and business of writing in the English language
We Are
Entirely organized by volunteers, the JWC is hosted by a different Japanese establishment each year; past venues include Hokkaido, Iwate, Fukushima, Kobe, Kyoto, Tokushima, and Okinawa.
In 2025, the JWC was held at the International Christian University, Tokyo – click image below for the 2025 event gallery!
JWC History
Through growing pains, a super typhoon, and a global pandemic – the complete JWC timeline
2007 - I
Tokyo
Ochanomizu University
Host: Diane Nagatomo
Organizers: Jane Joritz-Nakagawa, Colleen Shiels, Naomi Hiraishi
- Promoted with printed classified advertisements, word-of-mouth.
- Organizers expected conference to only be a one-time event.
2008 - II
Nagoya
Nanzan University
Hosts: Brian Cullen & Sarah Mulvey
Organizers: Claudia Hamann & John Gribble
- John Gribble assumed new senior leader role.
- First JWC Saturday Night Dinner, with participant readings for entertainment.
NB: JWC Saturday Night Dinners, with some early year events including participant readings entertainment, have been included in every JWC weekend since 2008 except 2019-2021 due to external disruptions.
2009 - III
Kyoto
Doshisha Women’s University
Host: Juliet Carpenter Organizers: Li Jiang & John Gribble
2010 - IV
Tokyo
Nihon University of Art
Host: Karen McGee
Organizers: Li Jiang & John Gribble
2011 - V
Kobe
Kobe Shion Women’s University
Host: Peter Mallet
Organizers: Bern Mulvey & John Gribble
2012 - VI
Kyoto
Doshisha Women’s University
Host: Juliet Carpenter
Organizers: Bern Mulvey & John Gribble
2013 - VII
Nishihara
Okinawa Christian University
Host: Hillel Wright
Organizers: Bern Mulvey & John Gribble
2014 - VIII
Morioka
Iwate National University
Host: Bern Mulvey
Organizers: Bern Mulvey& John Gribble
2015 - IX
Kobe
Kobe Women’s University
Host: James Crocker
Organizers: Bern Mulvey & John Gribble
2016 - X
Tokushima
Tokushima University
Host: Suzanne Kamata
Organizers: Bern Mulvey & John Gribble
2017 - XI
Tokyo
Nihon University of Art
Host: Karen McGee
Organizers: Bern Mulvey & John Gribble
2018 - XII
Otaru
Otaru University of Commerce
Host: Shawn Clankie
Organizers: Karen McGee & John Gribble
- First JWC with voluntary hotel room pairings, coordinated by organizers, due to lodging shortage.
- First JWC Saturday Night Dinner to include live music performer.
2019 - XIII
Tokyo
Meiji Gakuin University
Host: Michael Pronko
Organizers: Karen McGee & John Gribble
- Sessions compressed into one-day Sunday event due to huge typhoon disrupting travel, canceling Saturday schedule.
2020 - XIV
-
Zoom Meeting
Hosts: Joan Bailey & Charles Kowalski
Organizers: Karen McGee & John Gribble
- COVID-19 pandemic inhibited in-person events.
- First all-online JWC, opening JWC to presenters and attendees outside Japan.
2021 - XV
-
Zoom Meeting
Hosts: Joan Bailey & Charles Kowalski
Organizers: Karen McGee & John Gribble
- COVID-19 pandemic inhibited in-person events.
2022 - XVI
Hiratsuka
Tokai University
Hosts: Joan Bailey & Charles Kowalski
Organizers: Karen McGee & John Gribble
- First hybrid JWC, with in-person and online (overseas) presenters.
2023 - XVII
Nagoya
Sugiyama Jogakuin University
Host: Iain Maloney
Organizers: Kartika Lestari & John Gribble
- Kartika Lestari assumed new senior leader role.
2024 - XVIII
Futaba
Futaba Business Incubation and Community Center
Hosts: Futaba Area Tourism Research Association – Representatives: Tatsuhiro Yamane, Swastika Jajoo
Organizer: Kartika Lestari & Swastika Jajoo
2025 - XIX
Tokyo
International Christian University
Host: Christopher Simmons
Organizer: Kartika Lestari, Swastika Jajoo & Iain Maloney