Who's Afraid of AWP? Me!
But it's also Spring Break, so I'm renting an electric car & driving PCH
Not gonna lie, I’m feeling very nervous about AWP-L.A. One, because 14,000 writers converging is always tough for an introvert. Two, because I don’t have any cool off-site readings (what happened, fam??), and the amazing panel I proposed (Hybrid Structures for Hybrid Lives: Black Femmes Finding Space in Chapbooks) was rejected. Three, because AWP is happening in my same state during Spring Break (which normally my husband and I take as an opportunity to commemorate the time between our collective birthdays and anniversary to travel overseas).
So, how did I make peace with the idea of sacrificing my much-needed spring break to feel like a loser at the largest national writing conference? First, I decided to rent an electric car (first time!) and turn the journey into the destination. Tomorrow I’m heading down the Pacific Coast Highway (which is still kinda washed out, actually) and then ending my road trip in Los Angeles, just in time to attend AWP. Plus, it is an amazing line-up; everyone’s planning meetups and parties; friends are offering me spare bedrooms and couches. I know, once I actually leave my desk and hop in the car, I’ll be psyched. So - big breath, big girl panties - let’s do this!
If you’re one of my 14,000 besties, you can find me pre-gaming with the Unicorn Writers on Wednesday evening, then at 2 events on Thursday - 1) a morning book signing with my pal Gabrielle Civil at the Texas Review Press Booth, and…
2) a panel on pain and prose an hour later. Thanks to April, with whom I used to do writing and meditation, she, Almond Joy and I have got an ambitious agenda, chockful of info, so come get your painfull!
Friday I’m psyched to reunite with the BIPOC Writing Crew and other literary citizens to discuss how we lift as we climb, a favorite topic of mine. Come get some village vibes, followed by a group dinner with a friend who likes to write about having dinner with friends. (My assistant made the fab flyer, BTW.)
My assistant also made me some flyers to promote the chapbooks I’ll (theoretically) be signing Thursday at the Texas Review Press booth and Friday at the California College of the Arts booth. Please stop by to say hi!
Wishing us all a successful AWP and/or Spring Break!
Excited for you, Faith! As an introvert myself, I can't imagine such a giant event. But it sounds like it's gonna be worth it. Wishing you a wonder-filled time (and also wishing I was at AWP to catch your panels--sounds inspiring.)