Hello, Plumesters! It’s already time for the AWP Conference. Some of you may be wondering What’s that? The annual Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference, as described on its very own website is: “…an essential annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Each year more than 12,000 attendees join our community for four days of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access to the organizations and opinion-makers that matter most in contemporary literature.” There are lots of writing conferences out there, but I happen to really enjoy this one. However, as those of you who have attended in the past can be all too aware, the sheer volume and speed of it can be a bit daunting.
Unfortunately, the Plume Gals aren’t able to make it this year to Portland, but we’re already making plans to go to next year’s conference in San Antonio. We’re hosting our own super off-site event here in Albuquerque to try to work through our FOMO. But we’ve got your back with our own annual survival guide to the event! See last year’s here.
Know Your Limits
I don’t think it’s any great secret that many (though not all) writers are natural introverts. Hobnobbing with so many people in such a short window can be a lot. Give yourself some down time now and again (don’t do back-to-back-to-back panels all day, no matter how great they sound). The conference planners have anticipated this and set up a Dickinson Quiet Space that’s open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day if you just need to go somewhere and just breathe or read a book for a few minutes.
Speaking of Books…
Don’t sleep on the book fair! It’s a great way to see what lit mags are out there if you’re looking to publish, or just to meet other writers who are passionate about presses and journals they work for. And if you’re one of those passionate writers (who, okay, might feel that their shift at the table is too long or at an inconvenient time…), don’t forget to check out the other booths beyond your own little corner of the fair. I think it’s fun to see what new journals have cropped up, and maybe to scope out the editors who have rejected your work 174 times (No? Just me?).
Writers Are Just People
It goes without saying that you shouldn’t follow Jesmyn Ward around, no matter how amazing her work is, or how sure you are that you would be best friends IRL. But don’t put writers on such a pedestal that you find you can’t even muster a word or two when you meet them to get your book signed (see my awkward moment in last year’s post).
Have Some Fun
It can be really easy to get so caught up in going to all the “right” events and taking copious notes (hi, guilty!) that you forget to do fun things, too. Go to a mixer or an off-site event. The last time I went to AWP, a friend and I went to an off-site evening event that we didn’t fully understand, but we got free champagne and cute Joan Didion tote bags, so I’d call that a win.
But Seriously, FOMO Is Real
It feels like everyone I know from grad school is going this year, but instead of getting bummed out, I’m focusing on next year when I’ll be there, and it will surely be another fun, informative, writerly weekend. If you can’t make it this time, the nice thing is that AWP picks some good cities, and they pick them early. Check out the upcoming years here and see if any strike your fancy for future planning! I know 2022 sounds pretty far off, but I’m already stoked for Philly, which is right by where I grew up.
Got any good AWP memories? Share them with us on Twitter, Instagram, and/or Facebook!