If you could step into a time machine, which era would you visit, and which writer would you choose to converse with? The College of William & Mary, a historic institution, has launched a “Literary Time Machine” project—welcoming its first writer-in-residence, Lamar Giles. But this is more than just hosting an accomplished author; it is a profound cultural initiative aimed at uncovering and preserving the literary legacies of Virginia’s women writers, allowing voices once silenced by history to shine anew. Supported by the Molly Elliot Seawell Fund, the project honors Seawell herself—a 19th-century trailblazer whose forty-plus works demonstrated the boundless potential of women in literature. Now, let us explore this humanistic endeavor and its mission to illuminate Virginia’s literary cosmos.

Lamar Giles: A Multifaceted Literary Navigator

For those familiar with contemporary literature, comics, and film, Lamar Giles is a name that resonates. He is not only a gifted novelist—his acclaimed thriller Ruin Road melds gripping suspense with sharp social commentary—but also an active comic book writer, having contributed to DC Comics and Star Wars franchises. Beyond his creative work, Giles is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books , an organization dedicated to fostering equity and inclusion in literature. In short, Giles is a literary navigator who wears many hats: author, screenwriter, and advocate.

Giles’s connection to Virginia runs deep. Born and raised in the state, he proudly calls himself its “unofficial ambassador”—a testament to both his affection and sense of duty. He credits his mother’s quiet encouragement and the local library’s formative role in shaping his career. This grounding has fueled his enthusiasm for the writer-in-residence role, where he hopes to give back by nurturing Virginia’s literary future.

The Writer-in-Residence: Bridging Campus and Creative Worlds

As writer-in-residence, Giles’s responsibilities are far from light. He will lead workshops and discussions, forging connections between the academic community and the broader literary landscape. A key focus will be Virginia’s women writers: Giles will actively reach out to them, encouraging donations of personal archives to the William & Mary library to enrich the Virginia Women Writers Database. This effort is not merely about preserving their achievements but also about creating a resource for future scholars and readers.

“My life has been filled with women who inspired me, like my mother,” Giles remarked. “I’m thrilled to be part of a project that uplifts Virginia’s women writers.” His words reflect a genuine commitment to amplifying their voices—a mission poised to reinvigorate the state’s literary scene.

Ruin Road : Gothic Thrills Meet Social Critique

Giles’s novel Ruin Road is a YA gothic thriller that explores the price of desire. Blending classic horror elements—a mysterious pawnshop, supernatural bargains—with incisive commentary on racism and class struggle, the story follows a teenager torn between an elite academy and his impoverished neighborhood. Through his eyes, readers confront systemic inequities with visceral clarity.

Giles’s narrative style evokes Stephen King, weaving unease into everyday settings while probing the shadows of human nature. Yet he is no mere imitator; he revitalizes familiar tropes by infusing them with contemporary relevance and his own keen insights.

Themes of Desire and Fear: Threads in Giles’s Work

A closer look at Giles’s oeuvre reveals recurring motifs: the cost of wishes and the paradoxical value of fear. In The Getaway and the short story “Wilson’s Pawn and Loan,” he examines how twisted or perilous fulfillments of human longing lead to ruin. His characters often spiral downward, driven by unchecked yearning.

Yet Giles also suggests that fear can be instructive. As Ruin Road implies, confronting dread may sharpen our vigilance against real-world dangers. Setting these tales in Virginia lends them tangible texture, heightening their emotional resonance.

From Page to Screen: The Adaptation Potential

Giles’s works have already caught Hollywood’s eye. The Getaway is being adapted by Don Cheadle’s production company, The Radicle Act, while Ruin Road —with its cinematic tension and layered themes—holds similar promise. Imagine the eerie glow of pawnshop signs, whispered supernatural forces, and a protagonist’s inner turmoil rendered vividly on screen.

Though Giles has proven his versatility in comics, his niche in YA literature—particularly in mystery, horror, and fantasy—is distinctive. His stories entertain while provoking thought, helping young readers navigate an increasingly complex world.

The Writer-in-Residence Model: Linking Academia and Art

Writer-in-residence programs are a vital bridge between academia and creative practice. Universities nationwide have embraced this model in diverse ways. Mississippi State University (MSU), for instance, hosted Nigerian author Chigozie Obioma, a two-time Booker Prize finalist whose insights enriched campus dialogues on literature’s essence.

Boston University’s College of Communication (BU COM) invited ad copywriter Nihal Atawane as its writer-in-residence, offering students pragmatic wisdom on professional writing’s role in media. Such initiatives often rely on external funding—MSU’s program was backed by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), while BU COM’s was supported by the Tom Schoenberger Writing Fund. These partnerships underscore society’s investment in cultural and scholarly growth.

William & Mary’s Unique Mission: Elevating Virginia’s Women Writers

What sets William & Mary’s project apart is its laser focus on Virginia’s women writers. This is not just literary exchange but a deep excavation of regional heritage—a tribute to the past, a bond for the present, and a beacon for future inquiry. Recent challenges faced by the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program (IWP), which saw federal funding abruptly withdrawn, highlight the fragility of such ventures. William & Mary’s reliance on private endowments like the Seawell Fund ensures stability where public support falters.

The Virginia Women Writers Archive: A Scholarly Portal

The Virginia Women Writers Archive is more than a repository; it is a gateway to scholarly exploration, a lens into these authors’ singular contributions, and a conduit to their intellectual worlds. Molly Elliot Seawell herself—a writer and historian twice nominated for the Nobel Prize—embodied the spirit this project honors. Her foundation’s backing ensures that this endeavor is not merely archival but transformative.

“Mirrors and Windows”: The Case for Diverse Books

In advocating for literary diversity, We Need Diverse Books plays a pivotal role. Its “mirrors and windows” framework posits that inclusive literature offers children both reflections of themselves and glimpses into others’ lives—fostering empathy, self-worth, and critical thinking.

Titles like Little Dumplings (cultural diversity), Antiracist Baby (racial equity), Julián is a Mermaid (gender expression), and Dreamers (immigrant experiences) collectively paint a richer, truer portrait of society. Yet disparities persist: representations of race, LGBTQ+ identities, and disabilities in children’s books still lag behind U.S. demographics, signaling a long road ahead.

Shared Visions: Giles and William & Mary

Lamar Giles’s alignment with We Need Diverse Books and William & Mary’s archival mission is no coincidence. Both endeavors share a deeper goal: through expansive storytelling, to deepen our understanding of human experience and bequeath a more equitable cultural legacy. By channeling his advocacy into the preservation of Virginia’s women writers, Giles helps chart a path where literature is not only preserved but profoundly inclusive.