After The Theft: An Amazing Response

The outpouring of all kinds of support for the Clarion West students whose computers were stolen has been nothing short of astonishing and heartwarming.

*Less than 48 hours* after the discovery of the robbery, we have almost enough donated funds to replace the stolen laptops. The messages of support and funds donated from those who could afford to (and possibly from those who couldn't really afford to) has been wonderful.

One thing it has made me see is that people really how intense attending Clarion West is, and what the students were going through already when they had the additional stress of this invasion of their workshop home. The sympathy and support has been really affecting. This is such a generous, responsive community. I'm in awe.

We will be buying the affected students new laptops in the next couple of days, and making certain they have both the software and hardware to keep writing. It's possible that donations may exceed what we need to do this, and if so, we will be returning them proportionally to the donors.

Thanks for everyone who did what they could, from passing on the word, to sending messages of support, to offering loaner machines, offering to donate machines, and sending funds for the replacement.

If you could, please pass on the word that we think we have enough donations to replace the laptops.

All I can say is thank you. Wow.

from Les Semaines, July 6, 2008: Second Week of Clarion West 2008

Mary Rosenblum was a terrific instructor to follow Paul Park. She's one of Clarion West's graduates, and has built a reputation for strong, humane hard science fiction, a mystery series, and for her award-winning short stories. She helped move the students into our usual Milford-style workshop critiquing. She's a smart critiquer, and very good at taking stories for what they aspire to be and helping point the way toward that goal. I really enjoyed hearing her critiques.

Her reading on Tuesday night was great--she read an alternate history mystery story from a new anthology of them. Hers was set in a Mexico where Europeans and disease hadn't wiped out the native population, and where as well the Chinese explorers had had a greater impact. It was a delightful story: clever, with fascinating details woven in throughout.

The week was capped by something horrible that brought out something wonderful:( Read more/again about the theft at the workshop )

In personal news: today is Jim's birthday. We had dinner and cake last night with Karen and Barry and will be having sushi then cake with the family and neighbours tonight. If you want to wish him a happy birthday, you can email him at jmg @ zipcon . com (remove the spaces).

For more about what I'm listening to, books I read, and my writing this week, see Les Semaines.