Light-skinned-ed Girl

2010 Bellwether Prize Accepting Submissions

This is a true story: I almost chose not to submit The Girl Who Fell From the Sky for the Bellwether Prize.  I was grumpy the day it was due.  Dispirited.  I didn't have enough printer ink and didn't want to buy more; didn't want to go to the post office; and didn't want to send my work to be rejected.  I'd had enough rejection that week: a short short rejected, and a slight by a guy (who I knew) who couldn't remember my name. 

Besides, the application was a little different than others for which I had applied.  I had to show "proof" of publication and explain "why" my work counted as literature of social change.  It just seemed like too much work.  Why bother?

I swear: I almost didn't send it in.  But then I did.  Thank goodness I didn't listen to myself.  But now, I hope you will listen to me: if you have a novel that fits the Bellwether Prize --please send in your manuscript.  The submission period runs from Sept. 1 to Oct. 2.  Complete application information can be found here.

"Fiction has a unique capacity to bring difficult issues to a broad readership on a personal level, creating empathy in a reader’s heart for the theoretical stranger. Its capacity for invoking moral and social responsibility is enormous. Throughout history, every movement toward a more peaceful and humane world has begun with those who imagined the possibilities. The Bellwether Prize seeks to support the imagination of humane possibilities."

         Barbara Kingsolver, founder of the Bellwether Prize for Literature of Social Change

Bread Loaf Writers Conference 2009: so far . . .

I've been here for a week and I'm exhausted--but in the best way.  The time's flown by with excellent readings (btw: if you have not experienced a reading by writer Luis Urrea then you have missed out on a wonderful life event--I was feeling the spell of his storytelling a day later!), great conversations (many of which are about writing too), and just plain fun.

There's so much more to tell, but not now--I'm still living it!  In the meantime, I share with you the reading I did on the second  night for the Scholar's Reading.  I was pretty darn excited --not just to read to this amazing group in the spot where Robert Frost once stood to read -- but because it was my first time as an almost-published author too.  I think it went well.  Check it out on my website:

Bread Loaf Scholars' Reading 2009: Heidi W. Durrow

A Day at the Printers

At the last barbecue we had, my dear neighbor mentioned that he had a letterpress in his garage.  When his son was in high school some 30+ years ago, he had a letterpress business printing business cards, social note cards, and personalizing lunch boxes.  "It still works," he said.  "It just needs new rollers (for the ink)."

Well, lo and behold, he bought the new rollers (from a dealer in England!), dusted off the equipment and the type and invited me to give it a whirl.  How could I resist?

He greeted me with a snazzy little hat that matched his own and an apron.  And we were off.  We worked on a prototype for menu cards.  I LOVED setting the type together.  There was something that was quite meditative about it.  Centering and fitting the graphic with the border took some doing and my neighbor took the lead on that.  And I learned some letterpress language. 

After fours hours on the project, we called it a day.  I can't wait to try it again!

It's Here: Advanced Reading Copy of The Girl Who Fell From the Sky

In my hot little hands I can now hold an advance copy of my book!  It's so incredibly exciting.  The front cover, the back cover, and the spine--all put together in such an appealing package to hold the words I made.  It's so, well, lovely!  (And I love the seal.)

The advanced reading copy is for reviewers and folks interested in showcasing the book at an event (or something like the Oprah show!)--it's not for sale.  And the advanced reading copy gives me a last chance to correct anything that needs correcting.

I am simply over the moon!  Just a few more months and the book will be out there -- Hooray!

Long Time No See!

 I have been on the move and in flux for the last several weeks.  First there was the Festival, then the big 40th birthday parties (yes, there were three of them!), a trip to Denmark, to Portland and at least three back and forth trips from East to West Coast.  Whew!  I've just been worn out.  Many things have gone by the wayside including that fabulous at 40 workout routine that helped me drop 15 pounds, and well, this blog.

But I'm back. 

Next week I'll be blogging from the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference.  I've been twice before--in 1997 as a contributor, and in 2004 as a waiter.  I'm moving up the "food chain" and will attend this year as a scholar.  I'm terribly excited, but also nervous. I get first-day-of-school jitters before going to these kinds of things: What if I don't make any friends?

 I expect to have a good time though.  I always leave Bread Loaf thoroughly inspired, and energized to do new writing.  And I have left both times with very good and dear friends.  More from Vermont!