Clarion West Write-a-thon
Hey everyone,
I apologize to those of you who have seen this on your friends list for days on end, but I really ought to plug the Clarion West Write-a-thon!
The Write-a-thon is like a cross between NANOWRIMO and a walk-a-thon.
First off, the NANOWRIMO bit--you commit to carry out writing goals for the six week period of the write-a-thon. You get to define those goals. They could be enormously, fantastically, unbelievably unacheivable: vow to write a novel a week if you like! Or they can be modest and petite--one word a day, or less--a letter! Of course, most people do something in between. Personally, I'm just going to commit to write everyday, whether it's a lot (I hope!) or a little.
Then you combine it with the walk-a-thon: people sign up to sponsor you for every week you reach your goal. They could sponsor you for an enormously, fantastically, unbelievably huge amount of money--a zillion dollars a week! Or they could be modest and petite and donate $1 for the six week write-a-thon.
Or people can send flat donations. Personally, that's what I do. I try to donate $5 for everyone I know who signs up to participate in the write-a-thon.
This year, three people are offering to donate $5 per person who enters the write-a-thon--whether they know them or not--as long as we can get 100 participants. So, if you sign up to participate, you can actually earn $15 for Clarion West without lifting a finger to type. (Though, what fun would that be?)
In previous years, I've made a pair of hand-beaded earrings for anyone who donates $10 or more in my name. The year before last, only one person took me up on it, so I gave her five pairs, a whole rainbow of earrings.
So, the major question here--what is Clarion West and why is it worth supporting? The Clarion West Writers Workshop is a sort of master class for helping science fiction and fantasy writers transition into pros. Think of it as being like a speculative fiction MFA condensed into six weeks. The program has turned out many amazing writers, including the late Octavia Butler, and the very up-to-date Kij Johnson. Many writers have spoken about how profound the experience was for them; for me, it was a defining moment in my life as I left college, and moved into life as a grown-up (ish) writer.
So, if you've got the time and/or the lolly, consider signing up or shelling out. Every penny donated is a penny that a starving writer can save.
Also, if you donate in my name, earrings can be obtained.
Details: http://www.clarionwest.org/events/writeathon/2010
Sign-up: http://clarionwest.org/Write-a-thon_Participant_Registration
Also, Clarion San Diego is running their shiny new write-a-thon (second year running, I think?) this year. The details are much the same, so if you'd like to help them out (since they are also peachy keen), head over to their website.
I apologize to those of you who have seen this on your friends list for days on end, but I really ought to plug the Clarion West Write-a-thon!
The Write-a-thon is like a cross between NANOWRIMO and a walk-a-thon.
First off, the NANOWRIMO bit--you commit to carry out writing goals for the six week period of the write-a-thon. You get to define those goals. They could be enormously, fantastically, unbelievably unacheivable: vow to write a novel a week if you like! Or they can be modest and petite--one word a day, or less--a letter! Of course, most people do something in between. Personally, I'm just going to commit to write everyday, whether it's a lot (I hope!) or a little.
Then you combine it with the walk-a-thon: people sign up to sponsor you for every week you reach your goal. They could sponsor you for an enormously, fantastically, unbelievably huge amount of money--a zillion dollars a week! Or they could be modest and petite and donate $1 for the six week write-a-thon.
Or people can send flat donations. Personally, that's what I do. I try to donate $5 for everyone I know who signs up to participate in the write-a-thon.
This year, three people are offering to donate $5 per person who enters the write-a-thon--whether they know them or not--as long as we can get 100 participants. So, if you sign up to participate, you can actually earn $15 for Clarion West without lifting a finger to type. (Though, what fun would that be?)
In previous years, I've made a pair of hand-beaded earrings for anyone who donates $10 or more in my name. The year before last, only one person took me up on it, so I gave her five pairs, a whole rainbow of earrings.
So, the major question here--what is Clarion West and why is it worth supporting? The Clarion West Writers Workshop is a sort of master class for helping science fiction and fantasy writers transition into pros. Think of it as being like a speculative fiction MFA condensed into six weeks. The program has turned out many amazing writers, including the late Octavia Butler, and the very up-to-date Kij Johnson. Many writers have spoken about how profound the experience was for them; for me, it was a defining moment in my life as I left college, and moved into life as a grown-up (ish) writer.
So, if you've got the time and/or the lolly, consider signing up or shelling out. Every penny donated is a penny that a starving writer can save.
Also, if you donate in my name, earrings can be obtained.
Details: http://www.clarionwest.org/events/writeathon/2010
Sign-up: http://clarionwest.org/Write-a-thon_Participant_Registration
Also, Clarion San Diego is running their shiny new write-a-thon (second year running, I think?) this year. The details are much the same, so if you'd like to help them out (since they are also peachy keen), head over to their website.
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