What a wonderfully rowdy, writerly weekend! So many stories told, so many stories yet to tell. And the level of writing, even from the two youngest conferees (ages 13 and 14), impressed far beyond words. Truly, SD26 will go down as one of our most memorable events, if not only for the terrific spirit of all the writers in the room, but for the disclosure of Sunday afternoon's special guest speaker--none other than SCWC Director Wes Albers. While his debut novel, Black & White, isn't out 'til March 20th, the good folks at ZOVA Books arrived with a couple big boxes of pre-publication editions and sold out almost immediately. New York Times bestselling author Gayle Lynds (The Book of Spies) hails Wes' work, "Gritty and rewarding... A top-notch cop novel. Watch out, Joseph Wambaugh!" And hardcore noirist Gary Phillips (Underbelly) calls it, "Gripping, rugged, authentic."