It’s nearly time for AWP19! Next week, we’ll board planes bound for Portland, OR, to take part in the largest literary conference in the United States. When you’re not busy seeing some of the country’s best writers speak at panels, readings, and book signings, come visit The Writer’s table in the bookfair. We’ll be holding down the fort at table T7072, so don’t leave the conference without saying hi (and grabbing a free magazine or two.)
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Have questions? We’ve got answers:
What is this AWP you speak of?
It’s a massive, 12,000+ attendee conference for professors, writers, editors, agents, and students of writing. If it involves literature, you can find it at AWP.
How is the bookfair different from other parts of the conference? And why should I go?
There are a few different components to AWP: There are the panels, which take place all day on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. There are book readings, socials sponsored by colleges and/or publications, and a wealth of offsite events. There’s even an official conference dance party, if you can stay up that late.
But the bookfair is an event in itself: Hundreds and hundreds of writing programs, magazines and journals, presses, and writerly services all set up booths and tables at the bookfair. You can buy plenty of books and magazines at the bookfair (be sure to bring cash and leave room in your suitcase!), but you can also connect with editors and learn what they’re looking for. It’s a terrific way to make connections and find new homes for your work. If you skip the bookfair, you’re skipping a huge opportunity to gain a better sense of the modern literary landscape, in our opinion.
What’s The Writer bringing to the AWP table, both literally and figuratively?
The No. 1 reason you should visit us is that we’ll be giving out FREE MAGAZINES all weekend! Swing by and grab a copy of the nation’s oldest writing magazine. We’ll also have an AWP-only special subscription rate, where you can get an entire year of the magazine for just $20.
You’ll also find all the details surrounding our latest short story contest, which launches in just a few days. Better yet, AWP19 attendees can take advantage of a discounted entry fee for our short story contest. This special offer is ONLY for AWP attendees, so be sure to stop by our booth to get the details on this exclusive offer.
That’s not all we’re offering at the table: You can also enter our giveaway to win our favorite writing books of the year.
Our staff will also be at the table periodically throughout the event, so feel free to stop by and say hello.
Can I pitch The Writer at the event?
Yes and no? We will have editorial staff at the show and we love meeting writers, but we can’t formally accept pitches on site. We’ll have our submission guidelines on hand, though, and you’re welcome to ask us what kind of stories we’re looking for in upcoming issues.
Have any tips for first-time attendees?
We do! Read this and this to prepare for your first time at AWP.
How about for introverts?
I can’t make it this year. How can I still experience some of what AWP has to offer?
You should follow us on Twitter & Facebook immediately! We’ll be sharing the best of what we learn all week long. Tune in to find quotes from agents, editors, and authors sharing their expertise in real time.
Portland’s kind of far for me. Do you have any other conference recommendations?
We certainly do! Here’s our list of the conferences our readers voted as the best in the country. You can also check out the top 10 conferences in North America.
