bread loaf writers conference

The same day as my second child Hazel’s birth (May 24th!), I received word in the mail that I was selected as a contributor in non-fiction to the 2015 Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference at Middlebury College in Vermont. This is a big deal for me as an “emerging” writer and also a challenge: it is expensive to attend this conference.

Before Hazel came, my partner Kristin and I decided that I would take a full 8 weeks of unpaid parental leave from my job. We planned for it, but we knew it would be close financially. Now the opportunity to attend Bread Loaf has come along. I may not get this chance again since it is hard to get accepted into the conference. I consider myself very lucky but also know that I put in the work to make it this far.

The total amount to attend the 10-day conference (costs for travel, room, board, and tuition) is $3,500. It is steep, yes, but not unthinkable and I am halfway there with a couple of weeks to go. The conference runs from August 12 to August 22. We have time to do this!

What I would get at Bread Loaf is access to editors and literary agents – one-on-one – plus workshops, readings, and networking with established writers. If I’m going to advance as a writer myself, I need to take this opportunity. When I look at the bios of many of the writers I admire, Bread Loaf is almost always listed prominently.

Here is my plea: help me attend this conference! This is not rewards based crowd funding, but everyone that contributes will get something in the mail from me.

I have set the funding deadline for July 1st when payment and a manuscript is due. Anything helps, even just a dollar and a shout out on social media. Here is the link again: http://www.gofundme.com/tracetobreadloaf