In Alaska, we are particularly attuned the light. Or, this time of year, to the darkness. And so we greet the winter solstice and the return of the light with upraised faces and hope.
2023 has been a difficult one in the world, for nations, communities, and individuals. There have been moments of joy and happiness, and moments of devastation and horror. As part of the holiday season, those of us at Storyknife want to, for this time, focus on gratitude and hope for 2024.
Here are some of the things we are grateful for:
- 52 women writers who spent a total 1,176 days in residence at Storyknife in 2023. They wrote, napped, planned, and gathered to form a community.
- 224 individuals this year donated to support the writers of Storyknife. Thank you for believing that women writers deserve the time and space to devote to their craft!
- Because of your generosity, Storyknife raised enough funds to meet the $50,000 challenge grant! This will be an incredible boost to the beginning of 2024. There is no way to overstate our gratitude to the amazingly generous supporter who offered the challenge and the wonderful people who stepped up to help meet it.
- All of warmth, kindness, enthusiasm, and humor of the writers that were in residence in 2023.
- All of the excitement and pure joy of the writers who are scheduled to be in residence at Storyknife in 2024.
- The entire community of Storyknife. Storyknife is a new organization. Sometimes Dana and I can’t believe that it’s only been three years that writers have been in the Storyknife cabins and meeting around the table in Eva’s House for dinner. In the past eight years, the Storyknife community has built six cabins and the main house, nurtured 128 writers, and helped create a solid foundation upon which the organization can grow into the future.
May the new year bring peace and light and room for stories that heal and generate hope.
Sincerely,
Erin
Executive Director of Storyknife
Storyknife Writers Retreat 