How would you like to have dinner with Donald Maass?

Making writing contacts is a big part of the publishing process. Attending workshops and conferences can put writers in range of coveted agents, editors, and authors. But here's an opportunity for anyone to sit down for dinner with one of four publishing stars.

Dinner with the Stars is a fundraising event connected to the wonderful Pikes Peak Writers Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Guests do not have to attend the conference to have a shot at one of the coveted seats.

Here's how it works. Bidders submit bids on one of eight seats at a banquet table with either agent Donald Maass, mystery author Robert Crais, romance author Susan Wiggs, or crime writer Jeffrey Deaver. Bids start at $50, which covers the gourmet dinner. The two highest bidders at each table sit on either side of the honored guest.

The date for the event is April 19th at 6:30pm. Each guest receives a gift from the VIP (like a signed book), and a photo with the VIP. Guests also enjoy priority placement for the book signing following the dinner. Bidding opened only a few days ago, and there are plenty of slots left. Check out the bidding action at the Dinner with the Stars page.

So if you're in the Colorado area (or can get there), you've got a guaranteed way to meet four amazing people. Would you do it if you could?