Well, it’s been a great June! This was the fourth year for the Lori Foster/Dianne Castell Reader Writer Get-Together. But it’s not just Lori’s and my event but an OUR event meaning all the volunteers who make this possible! With 275 attendees, over a hundred authors, publishers, agents, there is no way Lori and I could ever pull this off alone.

We had an incredible line-up of special guests including, Michelle Buonfiglio from Lifetime.com; Sheila Clover from Circle of Seven Promotions; Barbara Vey from the PW blog; Borders buyer Sue Grimshaw; Berkley editor Cindy Hwang; Jennifer Schober from the Spencerhill Agency; Agent Laura Bradford; and Samhain publisher Crissy Brashear.

And not only was the event bigger and better than ever but we raised $5500 from the bookfair and basket raffle for the Conductive Learning Center here in Cincinnati, a school for children with Cerebral Palsy and Spinal Bifida.

This was also the launch weekend for The Power of Love! Thirteen authors got together with their agents and donated all the royalties, advances and commissions to the YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter here in Cincy. Truly women helping women. Next year we’re doing Love Tails and the proceeds go to AAF, a no-kill animal shelter here in Cincy that is in desperate need of a new wing.

That the event lasts two days and only costs $35 is a great bargain. We only charge for food, Fri night dinner, Sat breakfast, Sat lunch. Next year…June 5-6…we’re including Saturday dinner as well so we can make the weekend last longer. With all the attendees we can use the extra visiting time. 

Thanks to everyone who made the Get-Together a fab weekend! Lori and I hope to see all next year.

Hugs,
Dianne Castell
Hot and Bothered
Kensington BRAVA