A Literary Day

Saturday was wonderfully literary. I attended the Hollins Literary Festival at Hollins University and heard three authors read from their works, talked with Amanda Cockrell—children’s lit teacher, author of several novels including Pomegranate Seed, and the leader of the panel I’m on at the Children’s Literature Association Conference this June at CNU.

Several Valley Writers were there, too—Millie, Dick, Leonel, and Nancy—as well as former Valley member, Mildred Sandrich, whose work on her degree in English at Hollins now consumes much of her time.

I love lit conferences! Being around so many serious writers is always stimulating.

When I returned home and turned on my computer, I found that Valley Writers president Jim Morrison had sent me an email—my essay “Crit Group” had won the Virginia Writers Club “Back Page” contest. I’ll get some cash, and my essay will be in the next issue of The Virginia Writer.

Saturday was a good day.