Have you ever thought about what a convention of Author’s Den writers might be like?  Me neither.  But that doesn’t stop either you or me from letting our imaginations run a little while trying to corral all this talent so that we might have a bird’s eye view of what the activities might look like.

With that issue settled, let’s move on.

First, we need a location.  Denver is a good hub for both east/west and north/south air traffic.  It’s also a fabulous city—that’s spacious, clean, fun, and with lots of things to do.  I know because I lived there off and on over a period of 15 years.   Air fares in and out are relatively cheap from all points in the U.S.  Even those within a day’s flying time are within reason.  OK the location is settled. It’s Denver.

Regardless of your direction, your flight will be arriving with a magnificent view of the majestic Rocky Mountains that span the entire horizon to the west.  It runs as far as the eye can see both north and south.  Be prepared to be awe struck by them.  And your plane will touch down on the best airport on planet Earth. That is no exaggeration.  You’re still a mile high when you land—and you may never come down to sea level again. Those shuttle trains will whisk you from any concourse to the central terminal that looks like the best of NYC and Las Vegas combined.  Upscale is the word. 

But we are not going to hold our convention in the airport, even though I suppose we could.  Nope.  Grab you car rental and head north and west for about 50 miles to Boulder, located right in the foothills of the Rockies, and the home of the University of Colorado.  That’s right.  What better location than smack in the heart of what makes Colorado so special—beautiful views of Nature, uncrowded streets, and spectacular venues within most budgets.

First stop:  the Rembrandt Yard and Art Gallery. It’s a great location if you love art.  It’s also a great location, period.  They can accommodate us in style.  But don’t take my word for it.  Take a virtual tour here:

https://youtu.be/s-Q8fNqRC8o

I don’t know the price of a day’s accommodations, nor do I have a business interest with this ArtGallery.  I merely love Boulder and its proximity to 95 percent of everything that is great about Colorado.  But let’s say we assemble here.  A clean, modern art gallery with great picture window views of the Rockies close up is special by any standard of reckoning.  And with poets and assorted other authors, you might make a few book sales to help cover some of the costs.  Clearly, the camaraderie is the thing.  You will finally get to meet many of those writers who have dazzled you for so long.  Will your amorous fantasies be fulfilled by real live writers?  I doubt it, but that’s just my opinion.  You could be swept completely off your feet. 

Night life among 30,000 college age students is not for the faint of heart.  But it is there for the taking.  Crank up your energy level and go for it.  I am younger of heart than by chronology, and I would be there—out and about among ‘em. 

Besides Colorado U, there is the National Institute of Standards and Technology.  If you want to be dazzled by their massive atomic clock, visit their Time and Frequency division.  But that is for the studious.  There are lots of skiing at all points west, along with hiking and bike riding to the nth degree. 

Downtown Denver reeks with sights and sounds, food and wine, and good times starting with Larimer Square.  I’m letting my bias show but I also remember the old Larimer section that existed sometime between the Stone Age and the dawn of the period of the Enlightenment.  I will take the new Larimer Square.  It rocks.

It would not be polite (perhaps magnanimous is the better word) to suggest that maybe the ownership of AuthorsDen might want to inquire further into this humble suggestion.  Maybe a fund-raising contest or event or two to help defray some of the costs would bring this idea into better focus.  That is outside of my area.  I am not an organizer. I am just the idea guy.  But I am certain there are many civic-minded, event-minded, party-minded authors out there who can come up with concrete ideas along these lines far beyond my tiny imagination.

Am I right, or am I right?   Write your answers below…