Surrey Excitement

Fall is in the air, complete with blowing leaves and weather that shifts from rain to brilliiant sunshine and back again several times a day. For me, the autumn air means one thing: Surrey. Exactly one week from when I’m writing this, at 9:00 on Thursday evening, I’ll be ensconsed in one of my favourite places: among writing friends in a comfortable chair in the lounge at the SiWC.

I attended a meeting at the hotel this afternoon. It was the first time I’d been there since last year’s conference, and even driving into the parking lot gave me a thrill of anticipation, the same as the one I get every year when I drive up for the conference itself.

The Surrey International Writers Conference is a highlight of my year every year. Where else can you get fabulous professional development, hang out with writer friends, watch a live performance of a radio play with a cast that includes no fewer than four bestselling authors and possibly a few little green men, and ride in hotel elevators that have a reputation for interesting encounters? Amazing stuff, and I haven’t even mentioned the swashbuckling sexy Englishman, the singing Scot, the storytelling lawyer… I could go on, but you get the idea.

I’m especially looking forward to this year. It’s my last as an attendee for now, because I’m taking on the job of conference coordinator as soon as this year’s conference wraps up. I intend to enjoy every moment.

The registration numbers are strong this year, already ahead of last year, so if you’re thinking about attending, don’t wait too long! A sellout is a definite possibility. And if you’re a writer, you should be thinking about attending. You definitely won’t be sorry!