"Eureka Springs moved up to the number ten spot in the Top Art Destinations in the United States annual reader's poll sponsored by American Style Magazine. In the catergory of small cities with populations under 100,000, Eureka Springs pulled ahead of Carmel, California, Aspen, Colorado, and Laguna Beach, California, for 2010.

Jennifer Hansen

Yeah! That's what it's all about!

Here are Pat's thoughts on the rest of her stay in the Spring Garden Suite at Dairy Hollow House: The night before she left, resident Tom Sweeney organized a "resident-read-around" for the writers who were here during his stay. Pat found this extremely helpful, and said Tom's comments gave her insights that improved the chapter she shared.

Another reading opportunity came at the monthly Poetluck. Pat, a Poetluck veteran, found the gathering "especially delightful" for the quality and quantity of local writing - and the fact that the audience interrupted her several times with laughter!

As if this weren't enough, she was inspired by Jana's good work on our landscaping, by Cindy's food and friendliness, and by Vicki's outgoing and happy persona. It all makes her want a bumpersticker that reads: Proud Alum of WCDH!

Thanks, Pat. We look forward to seeing you and our other returning alums each year.

Follow Pat's writing - her lovely poetry and haiku are quick, inspiring and reflective reading - at www.pittypatter.blogspot.com. (Note from Jennifer: Enter that blog title carefully to avoid similarly titled but differently focused blogs).

Take care,

Jennifer Hansen

During her Fellowship residency, Blakeslee (who is also a poet and novelist) worked primarily on her latest short story collection including the story, "Clinica Tikal", which won her the Fellowship. In this science fiction tale, a teenage girl in Guatemala is told by a village psychic to seek treatment at an obscure clinic near the ruins of Tikal, only to encounter a surgery that is anything but ordinary.

"I loved the 'best of both worlds' aspect of Dairy Hollow - the close priximity to the charm and conveniences of town, but also the solitude," Blakeslee wrote. "From the moment of my arrival, I easily slipped into a work routine which lasted for the entirety of my stay.

"Early in the residency, I  knew I would return to the Colony before too long. There's a creative spark, an energy, in Eureka Springs and it turns up on the page. Meeting and interacting with the other residents was a delight."

We think that sums up The Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow. It's the best of both worlds with privacy in an arts town; it makes slipping into a productive work routine easy; it has that rare, creative spark; and it provides the opportunity for delightful interaction with other writers. Thanks, Vanessa. Happy writing!

Learn more about Vanessa's work at www.vanessablakeslee.com.

Jennifer Hansen

That's how long-time alum Jen Nipps announced the publication of her book, Devoted to Creating.

"I'm still having a hard time believing it," she wrote us.

We believe it! Jen is a delight, and the range of her creative efforts is impressive. (Check out her links below). After four seasons at the Colony, this year Jen will be splitting her month of general residency into 2 separate two-week residencies - one in the spring and one in the fall - something more and more writers are doing as life gets busier. As always, we're happy to work with her - and with any resident - to make time here work within her schedule.

You can check out Devoted to Creating and even read the introduction and a couple of devotions at the publisher's website http://www.awocbooks.com/Book.cfm?b=80&f=d   (You can order it from there, too!)

So what's it about? Jen gives us a preview:

"These devotions illustrate how creativity surrounds us and how we can use it in God's service even -and especially- in unexpected ways, such as teaching, parenting, gardening, and cooking as well as the more expected outlets of writing, painting, and drawing. Hopefully they will help ignite the spark of creativity in you." -  Jen Nipps, Freelance Writer. Websites: JeniferNipps.com & Creative Tips; Contributor for OWFI Report, TutorialBlog.org, & WritingforDollars.com 

In addition to his writing, David is a humorist, cartoonist and speaker. He grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and most of his stories draw on his Texas roots as well as his baby-boomer love of music. David is the author of Jazz Cats and Ten Redneck Babies, both of which were named to the Children's Choice Top 100 list. Jazz Cats was also a finalist for the Texas Golden Spur Award. David's satirical Night Before Christmas books are perennial comedy best-sellers, and he is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

This is the first time we've awarded the KidLit! Fellowship, and the quality of writing submitted for this award was excellent. The judges commented that David's story was 'well-crafted' and 'beautifully written'. They admired the simplicity of his prose and the emotion he was able to convey through the story's authentic tone and dialogue.

Congratulations, David, and welcome to the Colony family!

Take care,

Jennifer Hansen

As of this morning, our doors are officially open for the Writers Colony 2010 season! Everyone's been buzzing around these past few weeks and it shows. The rooms are ready, the daffodils are pushing up all over the place, and in the kitchen the shelves and frig are stocked.

It feels like the Colony has woken up and stretched after a lovely winter nap. Among the staff, the energy has switched from 'caretaking of place' to 'caretaking of residents.' This month, we'll welcome writers working on young adult novels, science fiction/fantasy, memoir and narrative non-fiction. What a great way to start the year!

Take care,

Jennifer Hansen

The annual Books in Bloom literary festival, "a celebration of writers and readers", will be held at the beautiful Crescent Hotel on Sunday afternoon, May 16, 2010. Each year, the Crescent graciously opens its lawns, gardens and rooms to writers, readers and literary types to wander, peruse, gather, listen, discuss or simply read. This is the essence of spring in Eureka!

"Books in Bloom is an annual event that brings together accomplished authors, booklovers, and writers in a lovely, informal setting. This free literary event, presented by the Carroll and Madison Public Library Foundation, is open to the public and celebrates book culture and promotes reading and literacy." For more information, check www.booksinbloom.org.

And, the Ozark Creative Writers Conference has set the dates for its 42nd gathering. The Conference will be held October 7 - 9, 2010. Pre-registration date is August 27, 2010.

This is a wonderful, small but powerful conference with a varied and excellent array of information for every writer. Guest speakers are informative and realistic, ideas flow, editors are on site, and the charge you'll get from being with this crowd will amaze you. Last year, I left the conference with a whole new approach to a project I've struggled with for years. I highly recommend this friendly but serious conference.

Check out www.ozarkcreativewriters.org for more information, and don't miss the contest entries!

Take care,

Jennifer Hansen

Once again, we're being super flexible with lengths of stays this year. We learned last year that our flexibility made it possible for many old and new friends to come and get that protected work time they need. Realistically, the economy means changes for all of us, and if a shorter than usual stay is what's best for you, let us know.

When you come, you'll see familiar faces: Vicki Kell-Schneider at the front desk, Cindy Duncan in the kitchen, Jana Jones in the garden and sprucing up the suites, and me behind the scenes. All of us are looking forward to supporting you however we can - for lots and lots and lots of writing time, thinking space, gathering for yummy dinners, quiet work in the writing suites, and fun breaks in town.

Spring is hinting that it's here, we hope you'll be here soon, too!

Jennifer Hansen

But that's what winter is all about, right? Would spring be so beautiful if we didn't miss it so? Nope.

This year, come spring, summer, or fall, we hope to see you at the Colony. Right now, we're in the process of finalizing some 2010 Fellowships, and here's a sneak peak:

The NEW Mahony Fellowship for Courageous Writing for Young People;

The return of ... The Moondancer Fellowship for Writing About Nature and the Outdoors;

Year 2 of The Duncan Eat-Write! Culinary Fellowship;

and more!

So stay tuned and start dreaming of writing days at the Colony - spring really is just around the corner!

Stay warm and well,

Jennifer Hansen