Welcome to the end of February…. Good thing it’s a leap year, because we’re gonna need that extra day to get ready for all of the goodness that’s set to arise from Storyknife this year.
I just got back from four days at the Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference that was held in Kansas City this year. I try to attend each year to stay up to date with other writing residency directors as well as touch base to support Storyknife alums who are presenting or releasing new books. Honestly, it is so heartening to see members of Storyknife cohorts walking around with each other, offering bookmarks for their new books, meeting each other at signing tables, and just generally be part of the larger Storyknife community (especially when I set the get-together early in the morning for breakfast).
Storyknife is doing exactly what Dana imagined it might: providing time and space for writers to devote to their craft AND creating a community of writers that support each other long after their residency is over.
Now comes to the more disappointing news. I spent time talking with several women-led presses and women-led writing organization, and I learned that giving to nonprofit organizations that serve women is very low. According to the Women & Girls Index report, only 1.81% of philanthropic giving in 2020 went to women’s and girls’ organizations, and of that 1.81%, the lowest amount went to arts and culture organizations that serve women.
Oof. Those figures hurt. Now, more than ever, the voices of women need to be supported. Women’s stories, poems, essays, memoirs, plays, and films can help our culture move forward with greater dignity for all.
Please look forward to hearing about the amazing writers who will be at Storyknife in 2024. And if you have a bit to help push that 1.81% up, you can donate in small monthly increments and it makes a huge different to the women writers you support.
Meanwhile, we’ll be getting ready to welcome the first cohort on April 1st to the magic that is the Storyknife community.
Take care,
Erin
Storyknife Writers Retreat 