I attended the 2007 Maine Literary Festival. I paid rapt attention, imagining myself one of those successful writers in the spotlight, awed by those Maine authors who spoke so supportively to all our Maine writer-hopefuls. Personally, I felt their experiences described exactly my own long struggle to become a published author, that they were directing their encouragement and inspiration directly at me. Consequently, with the help of a very knowledgeable editor, I buckled down to finish a young adult novel that I had been working on for several years. The following summer, my story was published by Down East Books.
Writing is a lonely business, with questionable return on the time spent. If you are anything like me, you know that the road to publication is a long and arduous one. Well, summer is over, and just when I need a shot in the arm or a kick in the pants to jump start my creative juices, here comes the 2009 Maine Literary Festival. And with not one, but several professional editors, agents, publishers and writers, practically within walking distance, to tap into Maine’s rich ethnic culture, focusing exclusively on its multifaceted literary community.
I’m signed up for the Festival again this year, and put my money on the writer’s workshop where I’ll take advantage of one-on-one discussions with the pros, pick their brains for information leading to the “big guns” in publishing. See, I have a goal and a manuscript that requires attention. If the Festival is anything like the first one in 2007, could my next book be far behind?
You can’t afford to miss this opportunity. I sure hope to see you there.
Rosemarie Nervelle
Camden, Maine
