Let me say up front, my decision was mostly a financial one.

Two days before I was scheduled to head to San Antonio for The Association of Writers and Writing Convention (AWP), where I was schedule to appear on a panel, the convention organizers announced they were considering whether or not to cancel the event. San Antonio had just had a major scare, and there was reason to be concerned.  

Since the virus hit our newsfeeds I’d heard of events being canceled or of people canceling their travel plans. During those weeks, I’d check in with my travel partner over and over again, saying, “Oh, we’re going. For sure. No doubt. I’m not letting a little fear of coronavirus stop me.”

And surely, this convention would not turn the 10 to 12 thousand people who usually attend away, many of them powerhouses in the literary community.

Truth is, AWP is expensive. The registration alone is hundreds of dollars. Our hotel was over a grand and that was, by far, one of the cheaper hotels available. The airfare was more than what I usually pay to visit family in Minnesota. Attending this four-day convention puts a big dent in my travel budget. In the past I've been able to justify it. This year was different.

Despite the expense, I usually go because it’s the one time a year I get to be around a large section of my cohort … the veteran writing community. It’s a chance to mingle with thousands of new writers and readers. It’s an opportunity to appear on panels and be in talks that let me advance my point of view. This year, I was going to help man the table The Wrath-Bearing Tree and Collateral -- both literary journals that I assist with fiction editing -- had a shared table in the book fair hall. For months I looked forward to sharing that table with some of my most favorite people and savored the idea of having rare hours of time to spend with them.

But, when I considered the attendance this year would be much diminished because of the virus threat, the potential cancellation announcements just days before the convention, the fact that I had purchased travel insurance (we shall see if the insurer makes good on their policy) and the mayor of San Antonio declaring a medical emergency, I couldn’t square the financial outlay with the threat of infection and a greatly contracted attendance.

This book fair is usually teaming with people. It makes me sad to see so many empty tables representing the scores of organizations that canceled their attendance. Photo/Andria Williams

Not to mention, according to this administration's health experts, not only am I "elderly" by their definition, I've had pneumonia before, so getting this thing could result in more serious consequences for me than for younger people without my medical history.

"... the US Department of Health and Human Services "is in the process of doing targeted outreach to the elderly community and those that have serious underlying health conditions."

"Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University professor and longtime adviser to the CDC, said these two groups should consider avoiding activities such as traveling by airplane, going to movie theaters, attending family events, shopping at crowded malls, and going to religious services."

Fri. March 6, 2020, CNN report by Elizabeth Cohen

They define elderly as those "over 60." Soooooo, that's me!? Elderly? Really??

Did I make the right decision? My head says, no. My wallet says, yes. My heart says, DAMN YOU CORONAVIRUS!  

I once heard someone say, “My dance card is full.” I understood what they really meant was that they were overbooked, had too much to do, maybe had said yes one too many times.

There was a time when I lived by the creed that you could never have too many invitations to dance. If too many people asked, just bring ‘em ALL out on the dance floor! In my younger years, when I wore shiny silver platform shoes and dance shorts under my dresses for those times when I was flung over someone’s head, a good disco evening was when most of it was spent under the glitter ball, leaving your sweat on the multicolored floor of flashing lights. (more…)

First, a whole bunch of the Lei Crime Kindle World authors got together for a Valentine's Day Facebook hop. Some lucky person is going to win a $170.00 Amazon gift card. You don't want to miss this contest.

The sweet part, aside from thlei-crime-valentinese fat gift card, is that each Facebook post features a unique Hawaiian recipe --Get it? The sweet part? Since most of the Lei Crime stories take place in Hawaii, the recipes get you closer to the world. I want to try them all. Hawaiian king bread, Kalua pork and cabbage, Hawaiian pineapple Cake... So many yummy and fairly easy ideas to bring to the table.

All you have to do is visit some Facebook pages, leave comments and move onto the next one. Lots of us are playing. You can start on my page (www.facebook.com/mldoyleauthor) and go get familiar with other authors who write in the Lei Crime world. It's a talented bunch who write mystery, romance, fantasy and much more.

The second big thing is the Association of Writer's and Writing Programs (AWP) is this weekend. I'm so excited to be going back again this  year. I will be on a panel alongside some amazing veteran writers. I went to AWP for the first time last year and the experience had a lasting impact. I wrote about it when I got home and now I can't wait to see some of the friends I made. Here's a description of the panel I will be on. It would be great fun to see you there!

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, February 10, 2017

9:00 am to 10:15 am

Marquis Salon 6, Marriott Marquis, Meeting Level Two

F110. The Middle Americans: How Flyover Country Responds to War. (, , , , ) By various measures, rural Americans are more likely to enlist in the US armed forces. Despite isolation from traditional centers of publishing and military power, voices with Midwestern roots have sprung forth like dragon's teeth to deliver clear-eyed, plainspoken views of war, service, and sacrifice. The civilians and veterans of this stereotype-busting panel of published writers offer their insights regarding themes, trends, and markets in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

 

Turning PointTurning Point; noun : a time at which a decisive change in a situation occurs, especially one with beneficial results.

The timing of a series of recent events has led me to believe I’ve reached a turning point which could, if I am able to allow it, result in some much needed change. These events have at least led me to some self-reflection—an activity I usually avoid at all costs—and a realization that I am, in fact, heading in the right direction, no matter that it took me forever to figure this out.

First, there was AWP. I’d been nervous as hell about sitting on a panel at the Association of Writer’s and Writing Programs convention. Who was I to talk about women veteran writers at such an event? How could I possibly afford to go to this massive convention in L.A? And who would want to hear a word I had to say? AWP is one of the largest writing conventions in the world, filled with every literary heavy hitter you can name. It’s like the Olympics of writers and I was making my first showing as a no-name player from the farm team.

I almost didn’t go.

After gathering up the nerve, I finally asked BriGette McCoy and her Women Veteran Social Justice Network for help, WVSJ kicked in to assist in financing my trip and I couldn’t be more grateful to her and her efforts. She’s one tireless woman who isn’t afraid to put her boxing gloves on to go to battle for what women veterans need and deserve. I admire her so much. She came through with some financial support at a time when I almost canceled attending AWP because of the cost. I cannot thank her enough.

And that gratitude is mostly because I’m pretty sure attending AWP has done the one thing that I really needed to do on this writing journey.

I found my people. (more…)

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