I used to throw big parties. This time, instead of clinking glasses we were clicking links. We put out a couple small fires in the kitchen, but the turnout was good and that pesky neighbor of ours, Bad Betty Bandwidth, only showed up here and there.
Some of our favorite moments were the Kickoff Speakers, the Agents and Editors Panel, the award readings, and the keynote by Susan Straight. The circles of gals sharing their writing tidbits were inspiring. It was tough choosing which room to hang out in. The pitches started out like a frenzied speed-dating event but eventually calmed down. Thank god for Peg, our tech angel. Most of the feedback has been positive.
We know next year we’ll be clinking glasses again and celebrating the founding ladies who put this shindig together thirty years ago. There were lots of new friends this year who look forward to joining us. We’d like to thank them and welcome them in.
Everyone should have their party favors in their inbox—the Zoom recordings—by now. Keep those as a reminder of last weekend.
To Lynn and the board members—thank you for your guidance and constant support. Many thanks to Ann and Doris for sending out the invitations. I couldn’t have asked for better co-hosts and friends than Carolyn and Jenn. They kept the conversations going and the disruptions to a minimum. To all the members who volunteered, thank you! Now that everything has gone quiet, it’s back to reading books and editing Western fiction.
See you in Denver!
Final registration total: 109
Pitches: 34
Auction proceeds: $1,160.21
Rachel Santino
2023 Conference Chair
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