A DECADE+ OF STORYTELLING POWERED BY THE BEST WRITERS ON THE PLANET

BE PART OF THE LEGACY

TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

This FINAL encore experience will be unlike any other. Because like everything we do, it's been "reimagined" from beginning to end. It's not a virtual or hybrid event. It's not a conference. It's not a seminar, a workshop, a meeting, or a symposium. And it's not your typical run-of-the-mill everyday event crammed with stages, keynote speeches, team-building exercises, PowerPoint presentations, and all the other conventional humdrum. Because it's up close & personal by design. Where conversation trumps presentation. And where authentic connection runs deep.

Two Dollar Talisman

I have never professed to know much, although what I do know, the distance between want and need is measured in sacrifice, the road that must be traveled to obtain this awareness, is plagued with fierce storms, lightning crackles with Catatumbo intensity, rain slowly rusts your ambition, the wind’s sharp corners cut through a frail confidence, causing your ego to bleed, your desire starves for just a morsel of encouragement, but your hunger doesn’t entitle you to take part in the soul feast, you believe no one’s pain is greater than your own, convinced you’ve paid your dues, now fate owes you, but you’ve defaulted on the loan, your want is a demand, its sole purpose is to please the image reflected in a selfish mirror, you’re damned to keep counting blessings, coming up short, then feeling cheated, out of what was never yours, yet you ask why your prayers go unanswered, your self-indulgent wishes are ignored, worshiping a two dollar Talisman, purchased at a thrift store, it has exhausted any cosmic goodwill it never had  before, turns out to be just another poor choice, as your last resort, if a line between  right and wrong ever existed, you snorted it long ago, and conscience you considered an encumbrance, was shed in liabilities shadow.

I’ve lived a deplorable existence,  resided in the underbelly of life, my reward for addiction and a twisted mind, been in places where Satan would be afraid to visit, acting on some drug’s bad advice, I’ve learned the more I denied my want, I discovered how little I need, I’ve heard it rains diamonds on Neptune, there’s blue sunsets on Mars, but as I mentioned, I don’t know much, I’m just an imitation of me.

Judge Santiago Burdon
Judge Santiago Burdonhttps://5d1dd405a81e9.site123.me/
The Odyssey of Judge Santiago Burdon began in the “City of Big Shoulders,” as Sandburg called it in his poem “Chicago.” He was born during Mayor Richard Daley's first days in office and Eisenhower's first term as President. His father named him Judge, hoping he would pursue a career in law. He had no idea his son would end up appearing in front of so many. Santiago attended Universities in the United States and abroad, focusing his studies on Victorian Literature and Authors. His short stories and poems have been featured in over three hundred fifty magazines, online literary journals, podcasts, and anthologies. He was recognized in Who's Who of Emerging Writers 2020 and again in 2021. Santiago has had 7 books published in the past 3 years. 2 collections of poetry; 'Not Real Poetry' and 'Tequila's Bad Advice Poetry With The Worm'. 5 books of short stories; 'Stray Dogs and Deuces Wild Cautionary Tales' 'Quicksand Highway' 'Fingers In The Fan' 'Lords of the Afterglow Renegades and Noblemen' 'Overdose of Destiny Impulse Fiction.' Santiago became a Septuagenarian turning 70 last July. He plans to relocate to Austin, Texas from Costa Rica this winter.

DO YOU HAVE THE "WRITE" STUFF? If you’re ready to share your wisdom of experience, we’re ready to share it with our massive global audience – by giving you the opportunity to become a published Contributor on our award-winning Site with (your own byline). And who knows? – it may be your first step in discovering your “hidden Hemmingway”. LEARN MORE HERE


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