The AWP Conference and Bookfair descends on Seattle in a few weeks. Ten thousand writers are expected to attend in the city’s sparkling, newly remodeled convention center. If you think that sounds overwhelming, you’re not alone: Several fully legit writer friends have told me they don’t attend because they feel like it’s not “for them” or because it would make them anxious.
But for some – especially anyone who’s done an MFA or taught at a university – it’s the reunion of the year, an opportunity to do the things people do at conferences for bankers and marketers and software vendors: network, stay up late, break a few New Year’s resolutions. Writer Carolyn Kellogg called it a “roving literary carnival.” This year’s is bound to be the biggest AWP since the pandemic began. With hundreds of panels and God knows how many offsite events, the FOMO alone could knock you out.
I’m not a regular AWP attendee, but this year it’s in my city so I’ll make the rounds as best I can. My writing group is using it as an excuse to get our two out-of-towners into the city for lunch. I know writers returning from Belize and Korea to attend. We’re hosting a charming visitor from Florida in the guest bedroom. And Min Jin Lee is the keynote speaker, hurrah!
Heading in. Wish me luck.
Elisabeth Eaves
While travel writing was my first literary love, I’m also a journalist, essayist, science writer, editor, and fiction writer. I was born and raised in Vancouver, lived in Cairo, London, and Paris, spent 10 years in New York City, and now reside in Seattle.