Kate Larking (@astres)
Shout out to Karen Bailey! I met Karen during the very first Sirens and we bonded over our shared squealing about Tamora Pierce and Ilona Andrews. I don’t really even remember how it happened (I’m sure I did something ridiculous and I should be happy she didn’t run in the other direction). Over the next six years, we roomed together every year with various others I’ve managed to bait into coming to Sirens. Karen even chauffeured me around her ‘hood, Portland, and dared introducing me to her mother. She has supported my love of books and writing and helped me through some life decisions of varying importance (Should I quit my job? Get an MFA? Start herding cats for life?) with the same patience and grace she offers her kindergarten students.

 
Kate Tremills (@KateTremills)
I discovered the amazing trio Edith Hope Bishop, Lola Lindle, and Darian Lindle. We’ve shared some great connections over email and Facebook. And we recently met up for lunch and writer brainstorming in Bellingham, WA. I left our gathering feeling on top of the world … knowing that just over the border we had a group of Sirens sisters who shared our passions, ambitions, and wishes for the world.