The Willamette Writers, a writers organization that’s been around for 47 years and is quite important in the Pacific Northwest, has just let me and Dean known that we will receive their lifetime achievement award. Needless to say, we’re mighty stunned and quite honored. Here’s an excerpt from the letter:
WILLAMETTE WRITERS
willamettewriters.com <http://willamettewriters.com>
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Dean Wesley Smith
Dear Ms. Rusch and Mr. Smith
Willamette Writers is happy to announce that you have been selected as the recipients of its 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award. You were chosen by a unanimous vote of the board acknowledging the contribution your writing has made and continues to make. You are an inspiration to writers of the Pacific Northwest, demonstrating by example how to create a vibrant, successful writing career that spans decades and many beloved volumes.
This year we will also be honoring David Guterson with the Distinguished Northwest Writers Award and MaryMargaret Maitland with our Humanitarian Award.
You are invited to be our guest at our annual Willamette Writers banquet Saturday August 4th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Portland Airport Sheraton Hotel….
<snip>
Sincerely,
Cynthia Whitcomb
President, Willamette Writers
As I said, we are very honored, and we will be at the banquet. Hope to see some of you there.
Hey, that’s awesome, Kris. I’ll be leading a workshop at the conference, but I probably won’t be at the banquet. Maybe I’ll see you around. Thanks for all you do. 🙂
Thanks, Lisa! Hope to see you there. 🙂
Congratulations! Well deserved! Love to you both.
Thanks, Kim. 🙂
that is SO cool! You both really deserve it. My family and I are new to both your long careers and creative works and are just catching up (its like discovering a trove of so so much good) and send much admiration to you both
dr.cpe
Thank you, archangel. 🙂
Congratulations! This is well deserved. And, I speak as one you and Dean have helped so much by your willingness to be open, honest, and vocal about this business.
Thank you, Robert.
Congratulations Kris and Dean. That’s lovely news and a well deserved honor.
Thank you, Sheila. 🙂
Wanted to add my congratulations to Dean and you both. You both deserve the honor and more for what you’ve both accomplished and for what you’re doing now for writers today–myself included.
Thank you, Shaun. 🙂
Congratulations! You deserve it!
Thanks, Dan & Camille.
Rock on! Most pleased to hear this. Huge congrats to you both 🙂
-Dan
Kris, that is so awesome. Happy for you and Dean because you guys contribute so much as writers and teachers. I hope you two celebrate in style.
And then-to quote Dean-get back to work! =)
LOL, Steve. Thanks.
That’s fantastic Kristine!!! Do Book Cover Designers get to come? I’m in Salem… it would be fun to see you guys get that.
Renee, I think anyone who signs up for the conference can come. You might want to check out the website and see. The link is in the letter. Hmmm. A cover designer in Salem, eh? 🙂 Cool.
So pleased to hear you’re being recognized for all the wonderful work you do. Congrats! You certainly deserve it many, MANY times over. 🙂
All the best,
Angela Ackerman
Thank you, Angela!
Wow! I’m late on the commenting… but congratulations!
Makes me wonder what your actual “crowning” award is gonna be, though. You can only top yourself so many times…
Carradee, LOL! Thanks.
Congratulations, both! And you’ve only just begun…
Congratulations to both of you! Very well deserved.
Thanks, Tori & Michael. 🙂
Congratulations to you both. As someone who is a reader of your fiction as well as a writer who has received immense benefit from the advice on your blogs, I think you both deserve some serious pats on the back from your peers. It gives me the warm fuzzies to see that you are appreciated and getting the recognition you deserve for all your efforts. 🙂
Thank you, Sawyer, Rachel, and Robbyn. We’re feeling mighty good about it as well.
So cool. Congratulations to you both.
Congrats to both of you!
Congrats! I love both of your work, and it’s richly deserved.
TK Kenyon
There are none that deserve the honor more!
Congratulations to you both!
Blessings,
GdeM
Congratulations to you both! Very well deserved. Hm, maybe I should join Willamette Writers, so I can come to the party. 😉
Thanks, Anthea, Gerard, and TK. Much appreciated. 🙂
Cool! Congratulations!
(But I think you both have several more decades to contribute. *grin*)
I hope we do, Suzan. I’m planning on at least four more…
So now you can rest. 🙂
Rest, naw. I’d be bored… 🙂