Exhibiting SL writers show off their work and creativity by creating displays in tents or huts. The displays this year were unique, featuring scenes for novels or plays, images that give notecards of writing samples when clicked, and samples of original art. "The creativity out there is amazing, and the lengths exhibitors have gone to, to create displays which illustrate their work means we've ended up with an exhibition that's a joy to explore," said Hastings Bournemouth, AWE organizer. He adds, "It would take weeks to read all of it - all you can do is download notecards, follow hyperlinks and save it all for later - with luck, it should keep you going till the next AWE!"

Hypatia Picken's Hut

When asked about how she created her exhibit, Pickens replied, "I used my hut to represent the chaotic world I live in already (books and papers strewn all over every room in my house), and I had a blast drawing pictures and uploading them, arranging the "furniture," inserting notecards and URL dispensers and making and illustrating a tiny book." She goes on to explain, "What the exhibit shows is not only the literary talent of so many SL residents but their eye for the visually alluring--including the "minimalist": one of my favorite exhibits is that by Huckleberry Hax which represents a "greasy spoon" diner in the starkest and most efficient way: his resume represented on the menu and a short story displayed on his wall about a "greasy spoon" diner. Complete with annoying fly."

Some of the events held during the month were a talk by podcaster Emz Mazie, author of Night's Knights, instructing fellow writers how to successfully podcast their book, a performance of "The Fire" by Mysty Mellison starring members of the Written Word, a finale fireworks display by Judi Newall and a fancy dress ball with UK pianist and singer songwriter Djai Skjellerup providing live music. The contest winners were announced during the final event--including best costume at the final Grand AWE Ball.

There were four competitions during the exhibition, each garnering the winner L$5000.

Besides prizes, lot's of fun and exposure of one's writing, what do exhibitors gain from participating in AWE? "I really value Second Life because it allows me to exercise talents that I've let fall by the wayside because of my academic responsibilities: my creative writing and especially my drawing and painting," said Pickens.  "I've always wanted to utilize digital technologies for illustrating my stories and poems, and had been thinking WEBSITE!  But Second Life and its three-dimensional world, not to mention the first-hand open mic contact I've had with wonderful writers and friends, answers those needs excellently."

Lovers of words, both writers and readers can look forward to the fourth annual AWE, but in the meantime the Written Word group is getting geared up for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) according to Jilly Kidd. For more information visit the WrittenWord website, join their Ning network and join the Written Word group in SL.