Susan Forest

It is great to get so much done at a retreat, but boy, when you come back, there is so much to do–haven’t got too much writing done in the whole last week! Did do some work on chapter 15, but thought I’d have it done by now. However, I have helped to arrange readings for the Imaginative Fiction Writers’ Association at a local book store on Thursday, did some volunteer work for the When Words Collide readers’ and writers’ festival this summer, and got back to my exercise routine–and worked on a murder mystery play. So, lots done–just not much on the novel. Sigh.

Where do I start to rave about When Words Collide? Our numbers were up–over 400 attendees. The Keynotes were inspiring, especially Adrienne Kerr’s and Anthony Bidulka’s. Personally, I sold 4 paintings, read at my own reading, two book launches (and had a new story come out in OnSpec) and IFWA’s Bedtime Stories, attended a really well-run Aurora Awards banquet (I didn’t win for best short story, but congratulations to Suzanne Church, who did! Woot!) and some really fun parties. AND, I launched my first collection! But of course, the best part, as always, was the incredible energy of the participants from so many different genres of writing. And exhausting, but very satisfying weekend.

I can’t believe I haven’t posted in a month! So much has happened–at When Words Collide, I was approached by a small press editor and asked to consider doing a collection, at Renovation, Stan Schmidt gave me a lovely compliment and asked for a story–AND Liz Gorinsky requested the full manuscript of my novel for Tor, and when I got home, I got an email from Drabblecast asking if I’d like to sell them reprint rights for a podcast for “Orange!” Busy month! Now I am busy digging out, trying to get life under control again–editing for Edge, editing my own story for OnSPEC and sending out short stories. Got to get back to writing!!