Book Blogger Retreat Ideas

[Trish Collins]

Okay people! I need your help.

I want to go full steam ahead on the book blogger retreat, but I need help! So I thought you could help me decide what it will be like.

It will be in Portland, Oregon on July 18th and 19th.

Saturday will most likely be 10-4, and Sunday will probably be from 10-2.

I'd like to have some authors come (I have a few in mind who live up in that area). I thought it would be fun just to have someone moderate a discussion, but mostly let the author talk and let the bloggers lead the direction of the discussion. Good idea? Bad idea?

I also thought I'd have some panel discussions, but I'm only anticipating 15-30 people showing up, so would that be weird having four people out of 15 doing most of the talking (worst case scenario)??

We'll have a meet and greet Friday evening, for those of us there early. We'll also do something Saturday evening, probably something with dinner/sight seeing/Powell's and other bookstores.

Okay, hit me with your ideas and any questions. I've kept my thoughts pretty bare bones so I'm sure you'll have questions!

[bethany (dreadlock girl)]

I don't know if this would work, but there are some local gems in the Portland area.
One of the best is, Mcmenamins Edgefield. It is so pretty and there are tons of different options for rooms, it is a type of B&B with options, as there are hostel beds available for $30 per night, or up to a king sized bed with your own private bathroom. The place has tons of really cool things, tons of restaurants and bars on site, free movies to go to, concerts in the lawn, a winery and an outdoor heated soaking pool (that is amazing!!)....check out the webpage: Edgefield Mcmenamins

Even if you don't want to stay there, this is a local chain, and there are others of them right in the middle of portland. This one is about 20 min. outside the major city area.


Just an idea....

[Corinne]

Oh man, this would be SO FUN!! If only I didn't live so dang far away! I love reading everyone's suggestions. Maybe someday we'll have an East Coast version :)

[Ann Kingman]

I am very very interested in trying to pull together an East Coast version. I've been thinking about it for awhile, and lo and behold, here you all are!

[Bermudaonion]

Let me know if you organize an East Coast version, please.

[avisannschild]

Me too I want to know about the East Coast version! I'd love to go to Portland, but it's just too far.

[ForstRose]

I'm in Portland - Trish and those who are talking about places to stay from out of town, depends on how far you want to be from downtown which is where I'm assuming a good part of the event will take place. There are tons of places in the Metro area but even downtown has several hotels though I think some may be rather spendy. We do have a great light rail that goes to the Expo Center, Downtown and even into Gresham and Hillsboro. If people stayed at Edgefield which is gorgeous and has dining and perhaps even conference facilities though it wouldn't be as central as somewhere downtown or the Expo or Convention Centers, they could probably connect to MAX (the light rail system) using the bus lines in the area.

For both the lightrail and bus, fares, routes and finding schedules and connections for a specific trip are all online at trimet.org

I would be able to make Fri and parts of Saturday depending on cost involved but probably not Sunday.

I also know of a local fiction author though I don't know her schedule or interest level in something like this.

I will send her a link to the discussion and leave it to her to decide.

[S. Krishna]

AAHH! I'm so upset I can't make it!! I'll be in England, most likely. Have fun though!

[Amy]

You just had to get that in there...about being in England, right?

[Nicola O.]

soooooo.... is this off the table now? still a possibility?

[Trish Collins]

Well, it's not off the table, but it's taking a slightly different form. It won't be structured and will just be a time for book bloggers to meet each other in Portland. Let me know if you're interested because I have a mailing list. Also, the date is going to change to August or September.

[Florinda]

Not sure I'd be able to make it even with the date change, but I'm still interested in knowing about the plans, so please put me on the mailing list. I think you have my e-mail already, but if not, let me know.

[Teddy]

Trish, I wounder if I some how got off the mailing list because I didn't hear about the date change until just now.