Photos courtesy Doris McCraw
Editor's Note: This is the first of a series of posts about the upcoming conference in Redmond, OR. We will feature an article the first week of the month until the October 8-11 event.
by Shanna Hatfield
What is a conference?
The dictionary
defines a conference as:
• a meeting for consultation or discussion
• the act of
conferring or consulting together
• an assembly to discuss a particular topic
A conference is so much more than
that, though.
It’s an opportunity to meet new
friends and connect with those already dear to our hearts.
It’s the privilege of listening to
those with vast and varied experience share their thoughts and ideas.
It’s the unique moment when the
combined excitement and energy of the attendees comes together to create a
wonderful synergistic atmosphere that you’ll wish you could bottle up and bring
home.
Once a year, Women Writing the West
offers you the opportunity to be a part of this amazing exchange of ideas,
information, networking, and friendship.
Plan now to immerse yourself in Distinctions of the
West: Writers Explore the Northwest during the 21st annual
conference of Women Writing the West Oct. 8-11, 2015, in the beautiful high
desert country of Redmond, Oregon, at the Eagle Crest Resort.
Attendees will have the opportunity
to attend workshops for fiction, nonfiction, celebrating poetry,
research and story as well as meet with agents
and editors, network, and be inspired to write. (Details coming soon.)
Experience the history, culture and
spectacular landscapes of the area with a Friday morning tour to the High
Desert Museum, A6 Print Shop and
Gallery, and the Old Mill District, as well as an exciting excursion Sunday to one of the oldest working
ranches in Oregon.
Winners and finalists in the LAURA
Short Story contest and the WILLA Literary awards will receive recognition.
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| Molly Gloss |
A special screening
of Heathens and Thieves will be shown
Friday evening with co-director Megan Peterson present to provide historical
background and take questions. The film earned six Best Feature awards at
various independent film festivals across the country, and a Special Jury Award
at its international premiere at Houston WorldFest. It has also garnered two
Best Actress awards for lead actress, Gwendoline Yeo. Join us in seeing how an
award-winning film makes a distinctive story statement.
One lucky winner will go home with a
beautiful “Female Storm” blanket donated by the Pendleton Woolen Mills. The
silent auction will have many distinctive items to help the WILLA fund and make
this conference memorable.
If you haven’t yet, like the Women Writing the
West 2015 Conference page on Facebook to get the latest conference news.
Registration forms will be available soon!
For questions about the conference, contact Jane Kirkpatrick or Shanna Hatfield.
