I participated in the manuscript workshops offered at the conference. Writers submitted a personal essay, researched article or a manuscript for a narrative nonfiction book. A jury reviewed the pool of manuscripts and selected the best submissions for the appropriate workshops. Before attending the conference, the writers read through and commented on ten manuscripts. On the Friday of the conference, a professional writer or editor guided the critique sessions so that by the end of the first hour, the group of ten writers had relaxed and bonded. My critique group offered me a variety of points of view in a supportive manner, and their collective wisdom helped me to perceive weak spots in my manuscript and gave me ideas on how to revise it.
On Saturday, after a day of listening to stellar speakers, the conference featured the Literary Lights Night where a high profile writer such as Joyce Carol Oates spoke. Also the evening was when the authors of the ten best essays were announced. After participating in the workshops, all the participants knew that their essays were competing against other wonderful writers. Yet, twice my work was honored and my essays were published in Ten Spurs, the Mayborn literary magazine that features “the best of the best” essays. Seeing my work published in Ten Spurs has been affirming and rewarding. Each year I fly away from the conference, hoping I will return to next year’s gathering that will abound with new and old friends and literary insights.
