WRITERS AT THE BEACH 2010

Keynote Speaker Steve Luxenberg's Remarks in PDF format
(will open in new window)

Hosted by the Rehoboth Beach Writers’ Guild, a 501 c (3) association, "Writers at the Beach: Pure Sea Glass" was founded in 2005 to raise money for, and awareness of, a little known disease that affects as many as 1 in 2000 children. Mitochondrial disease.

At our inaugural conference in March 2005 we hung posters throughout the conference facility with pictures of children and teens all of whom had this disease. "The Faces of Mitochondrial Disease" the poster said at the top. Over twenty children were shown, posing at Disney world, arms outstretched and standing in front of a lake, sitting before a Christmas tree, hugging a teddy bear. All were smiling, laughing, living.

Over two thirds of those children have since died.

Two of them are my nephews, Sam and Zachary.

Still, why a writers’ conference?

Because unless this story gets told—and heard—the money for a cure will never be raised. Because we all have stories like this that need to get told for whatever reason. "Writers at the Beach" is about helping others to tell their stories.

We’re really excited about the fifth annual conference—not only because we have some of our/your favorite writers returning in 2010, but also because we have some amazing new authors participating for the first time, collectively offering over 30 workshops, a dozen panel discussions and plenty of manuscript reviews.

We are skipping the author dinners this year, but think you’ll be pleased to know that we’ll offer a keynote dinner at the Atlantic Sands instead (and the cost is included in your registration!)  We’ll also be hosting an open mic on Saturday following the Key Note reception, which means that we hope you’ll share your talent with us. 

Finally, we’ve broadened our charitable focus while also staying closer to home. In 2010, we will donate 100% of our net proceeds to Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children to help defray medical costs of those being treated there for Mitochondrial disease.

Given in memory of Sam and Zachary Juhlmann, the funds will be used to defray the numerous and often uninsured costs associated with the treatment of mitochondrial disease. In addition to our continued commitment to raising awareness of this disease, we hope that our 2010 donation will allow children with this disease to remain at home with their families rather than in the hospital. A gift of time, then, as well as money.
It seems fitting.

For as writers, we know well how precious time is and how easily it can slip from our grasp. 

Thanks for participating in Writers at the Beach 2010.