>Bread Loaf: Day Eleven (The End)

>No lecture on the last day, but my workshop met. Nothing unusual there except that the Fellow assigned to our workshop didn’t show up. I have some notes and Baxterisms from the 5 class meetings that I will digest and assemble soon and probably post here.

Mid-afternoon I had a group session scheduled with Carolyn Kuebler, the Managing Editor of the New England Review. Only one of the other people showed up, though, so it was almost like a private one hour meeting. I’m reasonably sure she will at least remember me when I submit, which I will do when the reading period opens in September.

I skipped the afternoon Fellows reading to take a walk in the woods. It was terrific, quiet and peaceful, but I had hoped to see some wildlife. Maybe not bears, which Michael from Charlotte saw that morning, but something! But no.

The final dinner was quite good, served with wine, and then we had a reading by Patricia Hampl and Yusef Komunyakaa. Good stuff, but we’re all weary of readings.

Then there was a slideshow in the Barn, a retrospective of Bread Loaf 2005, followed by a party. Although many people had already left, we still managed to make a lot of noise.

On Sunday, I’m on the road, back to Virginia. I’ll post some reflections on the overall experience in a day or two.

About the author

I am the author of three novels--THE LAST BIRD OF PARADISE, OLIVER'S TRAVELS, and THE SHAMAN OF TURTLE VALLEY--and three story collections--IN AN UNCHARTED COUNTRY, HOUSE OF THE ANCIENTS AND OTHER STORIES, and WHAT THE ZHANG BOYS KNOW, winner of the Library of Virginia Literary Award for Fiction. I am also the co-founder and former editor of Prime Number Magazine and the editor of the award-winning anthology series EVERYWHERE STORIES: SHORT FICTION FROM A SMALL PLANET.

Comments

  1. >Thanks again for doing this, Cliff. I’ll be checking back for reflections, recovered memories, and class notes, once you get home and sorted out.

    JimT

  2. >I can’t believe the fellow assigned to your workshop didn’t show up! How rude.

    You must be exhausted. Have a safe trip home.

  3. >I’m so grateful for your insights, Cliff. Very enlightening.

    You also made me yearn for my home state–walking the nature trails. I lived thirty plus years in Vermont and never saw a bear (but they were around.

  4. >Glad you all found these useful. I thought I might get around to the wrap up today, but other chores took precedence. Stay tuned!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.