Last session of the Sanibel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

Poetry read by (L to R) Denise Duhamel, William Greenway, Joe the MC and local Sanibellian poet and Jeffrey Thompson. Wonderful way to end an awesome experience! thank you BIG ARTS and thank you FGCU 🙂

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Steve Almond on self-publishing at BIG ARTS, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

Great session about the brave new world of self-publishing at the Sanibel Writers Conference.

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Captiva Fair Trade this morning, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

We are creatures of habit – you find something that works, you stick with it!

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Augusten Burroughs, who does NOT need to suck in his stomach, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

Keynote speaker Augusten Burroughs at the Sanibel Writers Conference

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John McNally up at bat at the Sanibel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

Satire is his specialty 🙂

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Robert Wilder takes the stage – Sanibel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

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Literary agent Christopher Schelling reads at the Sanibel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

I think he’s reading Robert Wilder, who is very funny and a GREAT teacher.

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Tom is farklempt 😉 GO, EAGLES!, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

President Bradshaw of FGCU presents Tom DeMarchi with a plaque to recognze him for his efforts to spearhead FGCU’s "premier event", the Sanibel Writers Conference.

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Crowd gathers inside BIG ARTS for keynote speaker Augusten Burroughs, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

It’s very loud in here – glad I am a student, as I did not have to jockey for a seat. it was suggested tat they shut down the bar in order to get everyone to come inside 😉 It’s ver nearly a full house.

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Cocktail food, measured in miles, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

As in, how many miles on the treadmill to work this off? Between 10 days at Disney and then these 4 days at the Sanibel Writers Conference, I’m afraid that I have some serious atonement ahead of me!

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Political writing session with the Tolchins at BIG ARTS #swfl, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

Karen Tolchin introduces her parents Martin & Sue at the Sanibel Writers Conference.

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at last! The online publishing panel at the Sanibel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

left to right – Erin Almond, Lynne Barrett, Jeffrey Thompson, Steve Almond. gonna stop blogging for the moment and pay attention!

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Tom Franklin reads from "Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter" at BIG ARTS, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

Last reader then lunch!

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Robert Olmstead prepares to read at the Sanibel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

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Keith Lee Morris reads at BIG ARTS #swfl, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

Sanibel Writers Conference – Keith Lee Morris regales us with hilarious tales of college life.

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Tom DeMarchi introduces the noon readers at the Sanibel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

He seems tireless, this professor from FGCU and conference organizer extraordinnaire.

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Steve Almond at Sanubel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

Better living through anarchy and transgressive behavior :p

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Kristin Hersh rewads at the Sanibel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

Musician Kristin Hersh reads from her memoir "Rat Girl" – she’s going to play for us too.

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Steve Almond rocks the Sanibel Writers Conference with laughter, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

A truly funny individual – I can barely type this!

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Nick Marino of Paste, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

Paste was a fine publication, but like lots of print media, it recently folded. Poor Nick, I kind of know what he’s going through. And I wish him bigger and better!

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Cocktail hour at BIG ARTS in full swing – Saninel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

We still have two readers and a musical guest on tap this evening!

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Cocktail hour at the Sanubel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

Grouper cakes with citrus chutney, fruit and cheese, mini spinach quiche and a chunk of "Oreo Dream". Oh and chardonnay.

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FAQ about the MFA panel at the Sanibel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

From left to right: Keith Lee Morris, Beth Ann Fennelly, fellow Queens girl Margo Rabb ("Lets Go Mets!"), Robert Wilder, Steve Almond

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Dragonfly sculpture in the Boler Garden at BIG ARTS #swfl, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

Between sessions at the Sanibel Writers Conference – just had a panel full of memoirists talk about their genre and field questions – really stimulating and lively discussions. Looking forward to two more days of this 🙂

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Literary agents panel at Sanibel Writers Conference #swfl, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

Lisa Gallagher and Christopher Schelling answer questions at BIG ARTS during the Sanibel Writers Conference.

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The crowd is loving Walter Kirn at the Sanibel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

It’s storming outside, loudly, and Sanibel has lost power twice while Walter Kirn has been reading from his memoir. He said, "let’s get this done and get the hell outta here!" LOL

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Walter Kirn at Sanibel Writers Conference #swfl, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

Walter Kirn, who wrote a book made into a movie starring George Clooney, reads from his memoir "Lost In The Meritcracy"

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Wrapping up Day 1, Sanibel Writers Conference #swfl, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

It’s been a stimulating day and it’s not over yet! After this cocktail hour, there will be readings an a concert. Thoroughly enjoying this!

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Fresh Planet serves lunch at the Sanibel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

I was happy to hear that there would be a lunch option on site at BIG ARTS during the conference. It means I don’t have to give up my excellent parking space to go in search of sustenance.

I had never heard of Fresh Planet and initially thought the announcement was "Fresh Market". That would have been awesome, but let’s see how these guys do…

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Second session at Sanibel Writers Cnference – BIG ARTS, Sanibel Island, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

My second session was "Songwriting", and it was sort of disappointing. No theory or style was taught – we just sat around and rhymed things, creating a song that the facilitator will perform in concert this evening. Whereas I have 6 pages of notes from my first session, I’ve only got a couple of lines from the second.

Here’s a shot of the art adorning the other wall at the BIG ARTS performance hall. Love the primary colors used and how shiny they are in person. Sorry, the light in here isn’t the best.

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Swaggity-swag, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

We got the obligatory tote bag complete with conference logo, plus a pen, loose leaf binder and a community relations/marketing magazine from FGCU. And the coffee’s pretty good 🙂

Oh, and there’s also a big, felt FGCU pennant, which I walked back to the car.

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In search og the swag table at the Sanibel Writers Conference, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

I know there’s coffee here somewhere – I can smell it LOL

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Is mud made out of sand still called mud?, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.

It rained violently yesterday afternoon/evening – not complaining, as the region desperately needed it – and today the parking lot of Big Arts is all soft and squishy to walk on.

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