I’ve talked here many times about the Clarion West Writers Workshop, and today I’m delighted to announce that I will serve as Board Chair of Clarion West in 2010.
This is a happy thing for me. I believe Clarion West is the best workshop for emerging professional speculative fiction writers in the world, and I’m enormously honored to have this chance to serve, protect, sustain and love it. It won’t be hard: it’s a great organization that has been beautifully managed for years, with a wide community of volunteers, alumni, donors and supporters who feel the same deep connection to the workshop that I do. And I’m especially pleased to be working with award-winning writer (and wonderfully cool person) Kij Johnson as Vice Chair: Kij will take the Chair position in 2011.
I don’t think there’s any other organization I’d agree to do this work for right now: I’m busy, you know. But Clarion West makes a difference in the lives of writers, and that’s important to me. I hope you’ll be excited for me, and consider making Clarion West a part of your giving plan for 2010. You’ll be helping writers; and who knows what kind of wonderful stories they will make thanks to your support?
From the December 2009 Clarion West newsletter:
I’m honored and excited to be the incoming Chair of Clarion West.
I’ve been involved with Clarion West for many years. Wearing my writer hat, I’ve been a donor, submissions reader, party host, and workshop instructor. I’ve put on my business hat a time or two to provide organizational consulting to the board. Now I’m delighted to bring all the parts of me — storyteller, collaborative leader, teacher, a person who believes in the power of writing — to serve as Chair for 2010.
I’ve committed to Clarion West because I know it works. I was a student at Clarion in Michigan in 1988, and in six grueling, terrifying, exhilarating weeks, the workshop changed my life. I learned that I could write, and how to write better. I met my partner, novelist Nicola Griffith. I wrote what would become my first published story. Clarion was my gateway to the writing life and to the vibrant, diverse community of science fiction writers, readers, artists, teachers, editors and publishers; after more than 20 years, I’m still thrilled to be here.
Writing matters. Stories and books entertain, comfort, inspire and sustain us. Sometimes they change our minds. Sometimes they change our lives. Supporting the growth of emerging professional writers is one of the best ways I know to make sure that that keeps happening. I’ve never found a workshop that does it better than Clarion West.
As a writer, I’m focused on keeping Clarion West a successful and transformative experience for writers. As a leader, I’m committed to maintaining the solid, stable organization that has been built by the hard work of so many people, including the immeasurable contributions of Kate Schaefer, Outgoing Development Director (whom we will all miss enormously), and Deborah and Eileen (who I’m grateful will remain with the board ).
I’m proud to join a team of brilliant workshop administrators; board members with excellent financial management, communication, and strategic skills; volunteers who make hard work look easy and make so many things possible for Clarion West; and a national and international community of graduates, instructors, donors, and supporters who sustain us. Thank you all for everything you do, and for allowing me to be a part of it. I’m looking forward to 2010.
— Kelley Eskridge