I’m
such a fan of the annual AWP conference that I dedicated an entire chapter to
the organization in my 2011 book, The
Low-Residency MFA Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Creative Writing Students.
As we
near this year’s conference, this time hosted in Boston, I’ve been thinking
about how to describe the experience, particularly for newcomers and
prospective grad students. And then it hit me. Why not just share an excerpt
from my original rave? Some of the data (like attendee numbers) has increased
in number, but you’ll get the idea.
So,
here you go! A free glimpse into one section from “Chapter 12: AWP Membership and
Services”…
***
Arguably
one of the most anticipated writing events in any given year is the AWP Annual
Conference & Bookfair. Hosted in a different North American region each
year, writers from all walks of life converge at the Conference and participate
in hundreds of writing-related panel discussions, lectures, open forums, and
on- and off-site literary readings. But that’s a fairly formal overview.
What
you really need to know is that the Conference draws in more than 8,000
attendees and more than 500 publishers — publishers that want to meet you. The
Bookfair, which runs concurrently with the Conference, is the primary networking
hub where writers are invited to interact and have informal conversations with
editors, publishers, and writing program representatives.
If you
are a prospective student, or even just considering the graduate degree for
“someday” in the future, the Bookfair is the best way to meet an entire
spectrum of program reps all under one roof. Each program has a designated
booth or table where directors, faculty, alumni, and current students make
themselves available to answer questions, provide information, and share their
personal experiences. There really is nothing like having a one-on-one
conversation with people who know, really
know, the programs you might be applying to, so this is one of my top
recommendations for prospective students.
In
addition to the writing programs, the Bookfair is also a great way to introduce
yourself to hundreds of literary magazines, publishers big and small, and other
writing-related organizations and service providers. As you walk through aisle
after aisle, in a maze of booths and tables, your back will start to hurt for
all of the swag you have stashed away in your AWP-provided shoulder bag. But
it’s so worth it. Through your Bookfair journey, you will find incredible
discounts on books and pick up complimentary back issues of lit journals,
writing magazines, and other promotional items, not to mention so many business
cards and contact names you will need to take a break to organize and recoup —
but just for a bit, because there is so much more waiting for your discovery.
The
events last a few short days, but provide a year’s worth of motivation and
inspiration. Through personal conversations with editors, publishers, and
program reps, you will be on fire with the desire — the need — to get back home
and write until your pen is dry. But don’t dare leave the conference until you
have soaked up every last piece of information, and met every last editor and
director.
You
will walk — or crawl — away from the conference feeling exhausted, but more
creatively refreshed than when you were on Day One. That’s not only because of
the official Conference offerings, but also because of the fantastic
discussions about writing you had with writing friends old and new. All of
those ‘friends’ you have online? They’ll see you at the conference. All of the
editors you work with via email and over the phone? You’ll catch up over a
lunch. If you can only attend one such event in your lifetime, go to the AWP
Conference & Bookfair. It will provide you with enough oomph to last well
beyond the few days when writers from various geographic regions invade a
(slightly unsuspecting) city to create the
literary nucleus of North America for one short week.
You
needn’t be a member to attend the conference, but there are registration fees
and travel costs to consider. However, the Bookfair is open to the general
public at no cost on the closing Saturday. Thus, if you are working with a
strict budget, you can still absorb and benefit from the aforementioned perks.
This really is an event that needs to be experienced at least once in your life
as a writer.
***
Excerpt from “Chapter
12: AWP Membership and Services” from The
Low-Residency MFA Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Creative Writing Students
(Continuum/Bloomsbury, 2011).
Or – if you’re
attending AWP – visit the Bloomsbury booth in the bookfair where copies will be
on hand!
