This was my first AWP and I had a lot of similar reflections! The best part was having so many writer friends in one place who then introduced me to new writer friends. I like your suggestions to take notes at the end of every aisle at the book fair. I’m glad you got to eat at the Helmand! It’s a great spot.
After LA last year and Baltimore this year, your AWP advice resonates. I’d only add that offsite events can be a refreshing change of pace. You see more of the city, might hear decent writing or share your own, may get free drinks or snacks, and are rarely as packed or as suffocating as the book fair or panels. The poetry in the woods early morning hike and reading along the trail covered in fog was a particular highlight for me.
I haven't been to AWP before. I've only been to literary festivals in Hong Kong when I was younger. Not sure if the panels there are similar to the ones you were talking about. Yeah it could be like panelists trying to get more readers for their book. Though maybe it depends on how knowledgeable or experienced you are with the topic? If you're already very knowledgeable, I imagine you might not get as much out of it. I remember one of my favorite panels at the literary festival, was one where they discussed book cover designs, which I found fascinating. But someone who is well versed in book cover design norms, would probably find it dull, haha.
Another one I loved, was one featuring an author who was called the "female Jin Yong". Jin Yong is a famous author in China, specializing in martial arts (aka Wuxia) novels. I'm a big fan of Jin Yong, and came to enjoy this author (Zheng Feng)'s books as well. They have different but also similar styles.
Also, I found it inspiring when an audience member asked how she found the time to write, when she worked full time at a bank (Hong Kong work hours are even worse than North America's), and had several kids to take care of. She answered that if you're really passionate about the writing, you'll make time for it. Indeed! My life has never been nearly as packed as hers, but I loved that. Again, this might not be as interesting to someone who's already very familiar with these topics, or aren't already passionate about martial arts novels and Jin Yong.
Recently, I went to an online conference. Well, I just attended one workshop because I knew the speaker and was interested in the topic (writing setting descriptions, which I find the most challenging, since I lack visual imagination and barely describe anything). Unfortunately, she didn't talk about anything I didn't already know. The real value for me, was the Q & A, when I could ask the question I was curious about. And she gave me great advice that I could apply to my writing right away!
Wow, this is incredibly useful information. I've never been to any conferences yet (extreme introvert here with terrible social skills...), but I think I may attend next year and give it a shot. Would you say the conference is still useful even for writers who haven't yet been published in any literary mags?
I’m glad the article was helpful! I think AWP can be useful for writers at all stages, as long as you go in with the right expectations. It’s a good way to learn about the different journals out there—even flipping through the latest issue for two minutes will give you a sense of what they publish. And if you’re up for introducing yourself to the people near you in line and at panels, you’ll be able to make some friends and connections.
AWP can be overwhelming, though—more than 10,000 attendees!—so if there’s a smaller conference or book festival near you, it may be easier to start there and get some practice!
This was my first AWP and I had a lot of similar reflections! The best part was having so many writer friends in one place who then introduced me to new writer friends. I like your suggestions to take notes at the end of every aisle at the book fair. I’m glad you got to eat at the Helmand! It’s a great spot.
Honesty!
After LA last year and Baltimore this year, your AWP advice resonates. I’d only add that offsite events can be a refreshing change of pace. You see more of the city, might hear decent writing or share your own, may get free drinks or snacks, and are rarely as packed or as suffocating as the book fair or panels. The poetry in the woods early morning hike and reading along the trail covered in fog was a particular highlight for me.
I haven't been to AWP before. I've only been to literary festivals in Hong Kong when I was younger. Not sure if the panels there are similar to the ones you were talking about. Yeah it could be like panelists trying to get more readers for their book. Though maybe it depends on how knowledgeable or experienced you are with the topic? If you're already very knowledgeable, I imagine you might not get as much out of it. I remember one of my favorite panels at the literary festival, was one where they discussed book cover designs, which I found fascinating. But someone who is well versed in book cover design norms, would probably find it dull, haha.
Another one I loved, was one featuring an author who was called the "female Jin Yong". Jin Yong is a famous author in China, specializing in martial arts (aka Wuxia) novels. I'm a big fan of Jin Yong, and came to enjoy this author (Zheng Feng)'s books as well. They have different but also similar styles.
Also, I found it inspiring when an audience member asked how she found the time to write, when she worked full time at a bank (Hong Kong work hours are even worse than North America's), and had several kids to take care of. She answered that if you're really passionate about the writing, you'll make time for it. Indeed! My life has never been nearly as packed as hers, but I loved that. Again, this might not be as interesting to someone who's already very familiar with these topics, or aren't already passionate about martial arts novels and Jin Yong.
Recently, I went to an online conference. Well, I just attended one workshop because I knew the speaker and was interested in the topic (writing setting descriptions, which I find the most challenging, since I lack visual imagination and barely describe anything). Unfortunately, she didn't talk about anything I didn't already know. The real value for me, was the Q & A, when I could ask the question I was curious about. And she gave me great advice that I could apply to my writing right away!
That made me laugh! Thank you. I’ve not been to AWP, but you nailed my impressions of the events I have attended.
Wow, this is incredibly useful information. I've never been to any conferences yet (extreme introvert here with terrible social skills...), but I think I may attend next year and give it a shot. Would you say the conference is still useful even for writers who haven't yet been published in any literary mags?
I’m glad the article was helpful! I think AWP can be useful for writers at all stages, as long as you go in with the right expectations. It’s a good way to learn about the different journals out there—even flipping through the latest issue for two minutes will give you a sense of what they publish. And if you’re up for introducing yourself to the people near you in line and at panels, you’ll be able to make some friends and connections.
AWP can be overwhelming, though—more than 10,000 attendees!—so if there’s a smaller conference or book festival near you, it may be easier to start there and get some practice!
I definitely walked 60 minutes roundtrip (on two different days!) for better food at a place I found and loved — an essential, for sure. No regrets.
I'm considering going to AWP for the first time next year, so this was really useful. Thank you!
Only read the headlines so far but I'm going to dive into this later!!!! Much appreciation, much good energy!