The International Creative Research Methods Conference was a tremendous success. So I’m going to do it again next year, on 9-10 September, at the same venue in central Manchester, England. Once again I need to sign a contract with the venue for a five-figure sum, which is scary – but not quite as scary as last year, because I feel more confident that people will come. If anything goes wrong, I am at risk of losing half of my life savings, so it is still a big gamble, but it feels like less of one than last year.

Also the organisation is so much easier! Last year my support worker and I spent weeks researching venues. This year it took me approx 30 seconds to email the venue and request the same spaces for next year. And I am grateful to people who attended this year and offered their help as we prepare for next year’s conference; I am glad to be able to ask different people for help this year. I have already called on one of those people for feedback on the draft call for proposals. This is now finalised and available here. Deadline: 15 December. Go go go!