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She's At It Again

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Bread Loaf Writers' Conference

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. As usual, life has taken itself over.

I will be attending this year's Bread Loaf Writers' Conference in Vermont from August 16 through August 27.

Look for posts about the experience when I return.

In the meantime, check out Picolata Review and look for the second edition, coming out soon.

posted by Lisa Diane Kastner at Tuesday, July 11, 2006

9 Comments:

  • Have fun! Looking forward to hearing about your experiences with the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference. :)

    By Anonymous JLB, at Wednesday, July 12, 2006  

  • Hey, congrats!

    I wanted to apply this year but spaced the deadline and missed it by a couple of weeks. I did a freelance gig in VT for a few months years ago. Loved it there.

    Be sure to blog all about it.

    By Anonymous jamie ford, at Wednesday, July 12, 2006  

  • Thanks! I'm looking forward to it and I'll be sure to have some interesting tidbits to share.

    By Blogger Lisa Coutant, at Thursday, July 13, 2006  

  • Congratulations. You didn't mention if you were going as an auditor, contributor, fellow, or staff. But whatever category this is an experience like none other. The classes, the conferences, the evening readings, late night in the 'barn' - enjoy. Say hello to Breadloaf Mountain for me. Iyronmyke

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, August 10, 2006  

  • Thank you for the congrats. I'll be attending as a contributor. I've heard some stories about Bread Loaf, so I'm interested to see if they are true.

    I'll definitely say howdy to the mountain on your behalf.

    Lisa

    By Blogger Lisa Coutant, at Friday, August 11, 2006  

  • ((You didn't mention if you were going as an auditor, contributor, fellow, or staff.))

    It has a funky reputation as being very hierarchal, with the auditors working as waiters during meals. Did you hear that one?

    If you run into Joanne Tompkins, say hi for me. She was in my workshop group at Squaw and is heading to Breadloaf as well.

    By Anonymous jamie ford, at Monday, August 14, 2006  

  • Hi Jamie,

    I'll be a contributor. I didn't feel right about applying for a work study scholarship and I'm not eligible for a fellowship. I make too money to justify applying for the work study and I know that there are many other writers who need the work-based scholarship more than me.

    Actually, it's the work study attendees who act as waiters during the conference. I didn't hear that auditors do so as well, but I guess I'll find out shortly.

    I'll be sure to tell Joanne Tompkins "Hi" if I run into her. How cool that she could attend both Squaw and Bread Loaf. I don't have enough vacation days to do something like that, so I really need to be selective in my decisions. As it is, this will eat up all but two of my vacation days. The experience should be well worth it.

    If you want to read up on Bread Loaf both Laila Lalami at Moorishgirl.com and a contributor to Slate have diaried some of their Bread Loaf experiences. You can always run a search on their sites.

    Give it up regarding Squaw. How'd it go?

    By Blogger Lisa Coutant, at Monday, August 14, 2006  

  • I shifted "I am Chinese" into a deep 3rd person narrative and expanded it to about 6,000 words. I was a little intimidated going to Squaw, which is sort of an MFA wonderland (my degree is in visual arts), but it was a big hit.

    Tonkovich said it was the best story of the 15 he was assigned to read and just went off on it. I couldn't believe it. I was so pumped up I set a pitch appointment with one of the agents there that had a few Chinese authors on her client list and she loved it as well.

    Now I have to write it...

    Joanne was practically on tour. She did Iowa, then Squaw and now Breadloaf. One of her friends that went to Breadloaf earlier told her "whatever you do, don't sleep with John Irving!"

    As if that's even a temptation. Then again, they do call it "Bedloaf".

    By Anonymous jamie ford, at Monday, August 14, 2006  

  • Jamie,
    I am so happy you had such a great experience at Squaw. You deserve it.

    I have also heard of the nickname and been warned of the temptations of being on a mountain with a few hundred of my closest friends. Oh and alcohol. Cannot forget that.

    By Blogger Lisa Coutant, at Monday, August 14, 2006  

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