I want to tell you about the 2009 Memoir Writing Festival at the Loft Literary Center, May 15 – 17. I attended the first festival two years ago, and it was amazing to be surrounded by so many talented memoirists. This year, the keynote address will be given by the fabulous Bernard Cooper, whom, of course, I adore. Cooper will also be doing a reading Friday evening, May 15th at the Open Book, and I will try not to embarrass myself too much when I stumble up to him and declare my literary crush, something I fully intend to do. On Saturday, the talented Patricia Hampl will be leading a discussion on the evolution, craft, and ethics of the modern memoir. On Sunday morning, I will be co-leading the session “Lessons from the Trenches: Selling Your Memoir” with the amazing Bonnie J. Rough. For more information about the festival or to register, visit the Loft Literary Center. This festival only takes place every two years, so don’t miss it!