Learning to say "No."

To all of you:

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Geoff Gevalt, a.k.a. gg. I am director of the YWP or, more accurately, YWP runs me. And I love it. I love working with all of you; I love learning something new every day; and I am continually blown away by the great writing you do. I am also heartened by how much this Web site and this project does to help some of you unsort your complicated lives and learn to write better....

For those of you who don't know, I'm busy: I build and maintain this and several other Web sites -- pilot sites used in several schools -- (with a little help from YWP part-timer Kevin Ohashi.) I oversee the selection and publication of work (with much help from two YWP part-timers Lee McIsaac and Modi Kwanza.) I work with a variety of partners to publish your work elsewhere. I do in-school workshops. And I toodle around the site trying to develop new things for you. For instance, we are going to have some interactive forums starting next week with two great Vermont Authors: Doug Wilhelm and Erik Eskilsen. I also do mundane things like pay bills and raise money.

On the latter point, I am spending a lot of my time these days trying to find money to continue what we are doing. The Vermont Business Roundtable has been our generous supporter for two years and their grant and support is running out. We would love your financial help, but we know that kids are broke. If you want to convince your parents to give, please be my guest and send them to the info in "SUPPORT US" above right or have them give me a ring (860-0570).

But that is the context; now to the point: I have to say no to two things that I really want to do:

• I can't organize and put on the Spring Writing Conference in Rutland in May. Your original date -- May 17 -- became out of the question, and I thought the 10th would work, but it won't. I simply have to say no. I am sorry and hope you understand. I will be happy to organize one in the fall, and hopefully we can either get Squeejay to attend (if he's in the neighborhood) or we can talk him into staying with YWP as a mentor.
• I also have to postpone the printing of the Anthology of the Best of 07/08. Judges have been hard at work so we're going to honor the 175 or so pieces that have been selected (out of 5,000) on this WEBSITE. Again, time and money are the issues.

If you haven't figured it out already, it's hard for me to say no to all of you. But I hope you understand. And forgive. Feel free to tell me how you feel, as you always do, in the comments below.

cheers and keep on writin'!

gg