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.
Since the conference is next week
(!!!), I figured it was time to share an excerpt from my original rave—and possibly
sway some newcomers to join the fun in Seattle. Some of the data (like attendee
numbers) has increased in number, but you’ll get the idea.
So, here you go! A free excerpt 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.
 |
| my lit swag from AWP in Denver |
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 often 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).
Available on Amazon
or at Bloomsbury.
Or—if you’re attending AWP—visit the
Bloomsbury booth (2101) in the
bookfair where copies will be on hand!
