Make Space for Ourselves

Serendipity is the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. I’ve always liked this idea and I think some of the best things in my life have

unfolded in just this way.

In response to the dialogue in The Q, I’ve pondered the question of how my creative identity gives me confidence to branch out and build space for others in my life and how serendipity and confidence have led me to co-found The Hobart Festival of Women Writers.

The creation of what has come to be known as The Hobart Festival of Women Writers, a three-day event held annually in the small Western Catskills town of Hobart, New York since 2013 on the first weekend following Labor Day, unfolded from ideas that took root at the AROHO Retreats at Ghost Ranch. Namely, that it is vital to make a space for the celebration of women authors and that we’d have to make that space for ourselves. The opportunity to support the work of women writers in a meaningful i.e. useful way is one of the things I enjoy most about working on The Hobart Festival of Women Writers with my sister, Cheryl Clarke and her spouse Barbara Balliet and the others in our core group of volunteers in Hobart. And I’ve come to realize that, in addition to providing an opportunity to read and teach, archiving the writers’ work with slideshows, videos and blogs is an important part of supporting a platform dedicated to promoting women writers. We’re pleased to know that we’ve influenced others as well. Take a moment to browse through the books offered by our participating writers.

As the Hobart Festival of Women Writers continues its growth and development, we imagine ways to make space for ourselves and move beyond boundaries.

Won’t you come and join us?

Yours in Sisterly Serendipity,