Excited for the AWP conference, only a few short weeks away. Authors! Readings! Schmoozing! Dancing! (Yes, there is the legendary dance party, happening … nightly). A whole host of literary heavyweights will be there, but as I've discovered from years past, the most exciting part of AWP is not the famous writers but the rank and file. Normal, everyday folk slaving away at their writing just like you.
A smattering of things I learned from last time:
- Even "small" literary journals are hard to break into. And they lavish so much love on their writers.
- Go to panels based upon the people, not based on the titles. Titles deceive.
- Journals are ecstatic about publishing an author's very first story. So claim your virgin status. It's a badge, not a drawback.
- "30% of people who submit stuff are insane" AGNI editor
- Everyone works harder than you do. People at the conference were writing 2 or 3 hours a day despite doing all the conference activities.
If you're going let me know! Always eager to connect with other writers.
