The 2013 World Creators’ Summit

The Summit was held in Washington DC, June 4 & 5 and being packed with musicians and songwriters was a dynamic and vibrant conference. Writers were in a minority at this one.

The business bit

Click here for an outline of who was there and what went on 

The main conference hall

I was there with Barbara Hayes, ALCS Deputy CEO and Janet Anderson, former UK Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Janet spoke on the panel Orphan works – Balancing access and creators’ rights. I spoke on the panel Who benefits from the business of digitalbooks? 

 With Jean-Michel Jarre

The Washington bit

Washington is a wonderful city. So much space! We took a boat trip down the Potomac to Alexandria... 

Watergate from the Potomac

Alexandria's famous cupcake shop

...had a guided tour of the Capitol... 

and got within photo distance of the White House before being shooed away by security guards. 

I also found the wonderful Museum of Unnatural History, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills. I only wish I'd found it sooner and been able to spend more time there.

Would I go back? Like a shot. Nowhere near enough to time to see all there was to see.