The Veterans Writing Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Washington, DC. Founded by Ron Capps, a soldier for 25 years, veteran of five conflicts, and the contributor to TIME Magazine’s “Battleland” blog, the Veterans Writing Project provides no-cost writing seminars and workshops to veterans, active service members and military family members as a way to give them the tools they need to tell their own story.
VWP seminar leaders are combat veterans who are also graduates of MA or MFA writing programs as well as working writers.
Veterans, serving military, and all military family members are invited to come meet VWP instructors and join in the discussion of writing the military experience.
The founder and director of the VWP, Ron Capps served 25 years in the Army and Army Reserve and is a combat veteran of Afghanistan. He is a regular contributor to Time Magazine’s Battleland blog and to Foreign Policy. The Washington Post called his 2009 essay in Health Affairs about his struggles with PTSD “a stunningly good first-person essay.” His literary writing has been featured in JMWW and in Press 53. His essay “The French Lieutenant’s iPod” won first prize for creative non-fiction in Press 53?s 2011 Open Awards competition. He has been a featured speaker on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, Pacifica Radio, the BBC World Service and has been a consultant to Time, Rolling Stone, and public broadcasting’s Frontline. His forthcoming book, Writing War: A how-to guide for veterans to telling your own story serves as the curriculum for VWP seminars and workshops. Ron lives and works in Washington, DC.
The Alley Kitchen and Coffeehouse recently opened on July 1, 2011. Formerly the retail space occupied by Outrageous, The Alley Coffeehouse has undergone a makeover and now aims for a healthier swing on a grab-and-go menu, serving only fresh, homemade food along with coffee and drinks. The Alley also features local music along with their lunch fare.