Okay, so maybe this is because my experience is in academia and I have a soft spot for writer’s conferences. Maybe it’s because I’ve been a member of some other online communities that regularly host community events. Either way, I’m wondering if anyone in the editorial leadership has thought about a writer’s conference/book fair for OS writers?
There are lots of writers on OS that have books – Dave Cullen has a new book out, Gwen Cooper has a new book coming out in September, I hear the Bob Eckstein’s snowman book could use some sales (or so he posted awhile back). I’m pretty sure many of these writers would be happy to show up and do a reading; I would happily pay a registration fee to listen to them do it. I bet they’d be happy to sell a few books and hang out with OS people. I would buy a plane ticket and book a hotel room. I would spend money on it, recession or not.
I’d love to listen to other OSer’s talk about their lives as bloggers, listen to regular posters talk about their processes, hang out and listen to an open mic, or listen to Kerry and Thomas talk about the editorial process. The Salon folks could invite some other editors from publishing houses and magazines they like to talk about blogging as a way to promote writing, or how blogging is changing publishing. The possibilities are endless, really.
I’m pretty sure there are plenty of other people who would probably agree with me. It would have the nice gravy effect of helping build the OS community, which is never a bad thing. Surely I’m not the first person to think of this?
Just please, plan it for a cheap city. New Orleans is bearable and needs the tourism, Memphis is smack in the middle of the country. Whatever, just someplace easily accessible and affordable by all the fly over people out here.
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( and Shelle I have been meaning to mention this, when you posted on that novel in a headline post, you and I have the same favorite novel (or you know one of our favorites), The Bone People, that was cool to see).
In my biz, compromise is so necessary I have to do it daily. But if it comes off, I'll be there, virtually or otherwise.
Frankly, I'm so frugal, if it were across the river, I'd have to parse it. How about The Galt House in Louisville?
And Stellaa -- why not? It could be anything we want, I suppose. I'm just throwing out the idea :).
Randy -- To each their own :).
Cartouche -- what about really big name tags with full size avatar photos on very short lanyards? ;)
Shelle said "Whatever, just someplace easily accessible and affordable by all the fly over people out here. " Now, I was just thinking, most maps put the UK right in the middle of a map of the world, so there is one possibility that is accessible international. Maybe thats too cold for some of us, however.
Then again, with my own book, "From barren rocks ... to living stones", being translated into Urdo maybe I would appreciate Pakistan. Or perhaps some of us may find that a bit too "hot" politically.
The English translation, which may not be so challenging for most of us to read, is inspired by events in Aden at the entrance to the Red Sea, though that may seem hot in other ways.
Or then there is Singapore in the Far East, the setting for my next book ......... mmmmm no, maybe there are too many venues that we each could suggest. Perhaps we should just set something up as a starter wherever it may be possible and hope that many of us will come for no other reason than that we want to meet.
New Orleans is a great idea and so is VEGAS!
(thumbified for a great idea!)
Everyone Else -- I know, the international thing. I was being rather US-centric wasn't I? Scotland would be fabulous -- but I could never afford to fly there, much less stay a few days. *sigh* Someday.
Great idea Shelle ~ I would do it here / I would do it there / I would do it anywhere ... (that was my nod to Dr. Suess since I never finished my birthday post for him this week ... oops)
Great, great idea!!!
Actually...come to Colorado, y'all...there is a TON of gorgeous camping here, and Denver is a great city!!
As long as there's WiFi, toilets with plumbing, hot running water, and clean sheets, count me in! (So not a camper... :-)
I like the conference idea much, and I would imagine Salon would be interested in that. Memphis is a cool town. Or New Orleans. Or Austin, TX. Some place like that.
The economy is actually in our favor. Cruise ships and large resorts are practically giving rooms away. Heavy bargaining needed, plus perhaps suggesting advertising as barter! Since we offer our writing for no compensation, perhaps the lodging could be comped for us and ads for the lodging be placed in salon and or opensalon in return, and as a gift to us. Or, maybe we could all agree to write a post or story or poem or photo essay based on the lodging in return, to be sent out over the net. Or am I just a dreamer?
Great idea! Rated.
I like New Orleans.
And I would go to the conference.
I don't particularly want to camp. I've slept on the ground plenty. I'm a big proponent of getting a big ol' house on Craigslist or VRBO vs. hotel/motel rooms, but that might require instant intimacy.
Performance art event would be easy, live feeds via laptop cameras; could have multiple people having met up in multiple locations, multiple hives. It's a thought. Just don't lets do a Mass Meet at like four Macy's nationwide dressed as smurfs, k?
Shelle's right, it should be ideally a writer's conference, that's what we are. Lea's right, many places would be open to barter and/or bargains. The Buzz is right, this takes time to plan and execute. NOLA or Chi or Kansas City, all good ideas. Central US is most logical.
This can be done. We used to do it once a year at AOL ... bring the online staff/community together on the ground for a conference. But it will take a dedicated committee, whether to organize independently or coordinate with Salon if TPTB decide to host/participate/sign off.
(Just remember, we are not a Community. We are Content ;).
OR... we could all meet in a Lexus.
I think should ideally be a writer's conference/book fair. The goal of OS, according to the editorial leadership, is to promote good writing. Well, let's do it.
I'd be willing to organize a committee of people to come up with some realistic ideas/goals if people are really into this. I've organized something similar on a smaller scale before. I think that we could make it happen with Editorial buy-in if we present them a good, detailed proposal.
I am sorry aunt Shelle, I was being a bit tongue in cheek. I recognise that the majority of folks on here are based on the American continent between the States and Canada, and therefore it is easier for the majority to look at the American continent some where.
However, as you said , "some day"...... perhaps your dream will come true.
We have kicked various ideas around: We've talked about regional cocktail events (salons) we'd throw and then blog about, and that remains on the table. I liked the idea of events around the country (maybe performance events, as Stellaa also mentioned) so that as many people could attend as possible. Open is growing so rapidly that it would be nice if members could gather locally -- we'd like to make it easier for you to find members near you.
But I hope it goes without saying that whatever, wherever it is, The Squirrel will be asked to cater.