I just got back from the Kestrel Celebration in Fairmont, West Virginia, where my fellow authors and I participated in readings, writing consultations, a panel discussion and podcast, as well as sharing great fellowship and delish food! A huge thank you to all who helped to make the event spectacular-Donna J. Long, Editor-in-Chief, Elizabeth Savage, Poetry Editor, Suzanne Heagy, Fiction Editor, Kestrel’s wonderful interns, as well as my talented fellow writers.

Highlights of the event included the stuffed mushrooms prepared by Fairmont State’s culinary students – I had to pry myself away, but luckily the readings by Daniel McTaggart, Alyse Knorr, Linda Heuring, Maureen Alsop and Nancy Tacaks were riveting, a fine foil for the delectable buffet.

The reading the second day took place at the lovely Heston Farms, where I read “The Messenger,” published in Kestrel 29 . Juditha Dowd, Alison Ruth, Sally Rosen-Kindred and Mike Wright also presented captivating samples of their work. Oh, and did I mention the peanut butter cookies? To die for!

I’d never been to West Virginia, and yes, the hills are rolling, and the newly restored “million dollar bridge” over the Monongahela River into downtown Fairmont is both a testament to the past and a proud gateway to the future.

I will post a link to the podcast discussion about writing workshops as soon as it’s up. In the meantime, you can order your copy of Kestrel 29 here, or directly from me.