This year was my first AWP and I had big feelings as well! I felt extremely privileged to be there as well but was overwhelmed by the largeness of everything. This came as a surprise to me because I have been to other conferences and events and never had this issue! It is hard to describe to Lyft/Uber drivers....our threesome was in a conversation about writer vs author which confused him and us by the time we got to our reading location! LOL
I am still processing the time I had there and trying to write about it.
This was a great read. I was always curious about what these conferences are like. Thanks to you, I feel like I got a good taste of all AWP can offer. Maybe one year I'll be able to attend.
Blocking good reads is the best move. The thing is, many years from now, the way so many of the readers absolutely do not get your book can become kind of comic. I have a friend with a book coming out this year and since she was feeling the same questions you describe here, I pulled out a few of my gems for her, including variations on "I hate short stories generally and I also hated these; when these novel chapters/essays ended I was confused," and other greatest hits. So not the room we need to be in as writers.
Love the term AWP longing. Felt it moderately this year 😅
hehe thanks Kirtan
This year was my first AWP and I had big feelings as well! I felt extremely privileged to be there as well but was overwhelmed by the largeness of everything. This came as a surprise to me because I have been to other conferences and events and never had this issue! It is hard to describe to Lyft/Uber drivers....our threesome was in a conversation about writer vs author which confused him and us by the time we got to our reading location! LOL
I am still processing the time I had there and trying to write about it.
Thank you for this post!
This was a great read. I was always curious about what these conferences are like. Thanks to you, I feel like I got a good taste of all AWP can offer. Maybe one year I'll be able to attend.
Emma! loved this so much + was so touched by the shoutout <3
thank you <3 <3
Blocking good reads is the best move. The thing is, many years from now, the way so many of the readers absolutely do not get your book can become kind of comic. I have a friend with a book coming out this year and since she was feeling the same questions you describe here, I pulled out a few of my gems for her, including variations on "I hate short stories generally and I also hated these; when these novel chapters/essays ended I was confused," and other greatest hits. So not the room we need to be in as writers.
oy vey. I hope I see the comedy one day!
It only took me approximately 6 years! It also has helped to see how people on there give absurd reviews to writers I think are genuises.
AWP longing is so spot on! I think this newsletter convinced me to give AWP another go... see you in LA?! Congrats on the starred review!
Spot on. And I cannot wait to read HOUSEMATES!
Tysm Holly! Sorry we didn’t cross paths
“AWP longing" is the best term for all the things you described and how I felt not being able to be there.
Aww totally 💞
this is such a wise and measured take on AWP *feelings*
thanks Nancy, great to see you!!