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Clarion West Break-in and Thefts!
Submitted by christopherreynaga on July 4, 2008 - 2:52pm.
I am shocked and sad to report that only a few hours ago, while the entire class was finishing up the last day of Week 2 downstairs, someone broke into the house through an upstairs fire escape, ransacked the rooms and made off with a number of our laptops, and other valuables. (at last count, four laptops have been verified stolen) I myself am one of the unlucky ones who lost a laptop, though the lost our writing equipment is nothing compared to some of the stories and personal data that some of us have lost.
We are still reeling from this violation, and the mood here at the moment is somber. Right now we are dealing with the police and trying to figure out our next steps. We are determined to pull together and not let this crime setback our workshop experience. To all of you who are stepping forward with words and gestures of support, thank you.
-Christopher Reynaga
In Memoriam: Roberta Carlson - SF Fans Need Your Help.
Many thanks to those who have helped out Clarion West - however a more serious mishap has taken precedence:
Roberta “Bert” Carlson, the much beloved fan and Seattle 2011 Worldcon organizer was killed and one of her passengers seriously injured in a rollover accident on the way to Westercon.
Please follow this link for more information. http://community.livejournal.com/seattle_2011/
The community has really banded together to show support for us at CW, and right now Roberta's family and the accident survivors are the people that need our help most.
-Christopher
We are feeling secure.
I just wanted to note what a suprise it was. The guest house has never had a break-in in its long history, and neither has the workshop in its 25 years. This is a pretty nice neigborhood, and the electronic security we have here is top notch. It's just poor luck that someone was devious enough to find a way up the fire escape to an window that was left ajar. As Leslie Howle noted we have tightened up the security and all is well on that front.
Thank you all for the support and words of encouragement.
-Christopher Reynaga
I'm glad security isn't an
I'm glad security isn't an on-going issue. You need to be able to leave the house sometimes! I hope you can enjoy the rest of the workshop despite this. You have to know how jealous we all are of you guys. Most of us would jump at the chance to do it all over again! So please have a good time on our behalf.
Charlie
We will Charlie, everyone
We will Charlie, everyone who lent their voice in support is right here with us in spirit, and is an honorary alumni of 2008 as far as I'm concerned. Here's to Clarion West being here for all new writers for many years to come.
-Christopher
Break-in and Laptop available
My deepest sympathies. I know if I lost my laptops, the hardware would be much less an issue than the recent writing and the sense of vulnerability.
From reading the forum topics, I'm guessing the physical loss is well under control. However, if the need is still there, contact me. I have a laptop or two here. I'm sure of one. The other one will need digging out.
Use this address for fastest contact: e.witchey@comcast.net
Earliest ship date is Tuesday, July 7th.
Eric M. Witchey
Clarion West, 1998.
P.S., tell Mary and Connie I said hi.
Eric Witchey has sold over 50 short stories and a novel. His work has appeared nationally and internationally and has received recognition from Writer's of the Future, New Century Writers, Writer's Digest, and other organizaitons. His how-to articles have appeared in Writer's Digest Magazine, The Writer Magazine, and a number of other journals and on-line venues. Upcoming tales will be appearing in Polyphony 7 and Clarkesworld, and a new article will appear in the September issue of The Writer Magazine.
eric@ericwitchey.com
Eric, thank you for your
Eric, thank you for your great generosity. The entire community has been so wonderful.
I'm so sorry to hear this, I
I'm so sorry to hear this, I can't imagine what you guys must be going through. I know how much it takes to just get to the workshop, and to have this happen is terrible. It's times like this when those of us on the other side of the world feel so helpless. You should know that there are a lot of people out here, alumnis and others, rooting for you and wishing we could do more than post words and donate some cash. I'm sure your classmates will rally round and support you but we're here as well, for whatever support we can offer via the boards.
Might I suggest a quick flush of horror stories in which criminal elements in possession of stolen personal computers are horribly tortured by Cthulhu and his minions? Our 'frat boy' stories didn't solve the noise problem we had, but they made us feel better. :)
Charlie (2003)
I'm so sorry to hear this!
Christopher and everyone else, I am very saddened to hear this!
Leslie and Neile tell me that you have loaner laptops now, and I understand that donations are coming in already to help replace them permanently, but I know the real pain will be from the lost work and the feeling of being invaded and violated. I hope you heal quickly, and, inasmuch as it's possible, don't let this cast a pall over your workshop.
Nisi Shawl will be posting thePayPal link and instructions on the home page shortly, for folks who want to donate.
Our thoughts and good wishes are with you!
Eileen Gunn
Vice-Chair
Clarion West Board of Directors
Thank you, Eileen, We've
Thank you, Eileen,
We've pulled together as a tightly knit class through all this, and we are determined to show the thieves who stole our writing tools/stories a little revenge by winning lots of awards with our rewritten fiction.
-Christopher
break-in at Clarion
Elizabeth McDowell
That is dreadful to hear! I hope all of you keep up your spirits and keep writing, regardless of the violation of space and loss of computers/writings. I had my laptop stolen from my house 2 years ago and it made it hard to sleep for a month afterward. I really wish you all peaceful sleep and productive writing.