This year I discovered the only thing that would convince me to attend AWP, the massive publishing-industry conference put on by the Association of Writers & Writing Programs. AWP came to me in Baltimore.
I’ve always found a reason not to travel for the 10,000-plus-person conference. I had no good reason to skip it as a local. Also, 2026 is supposed to be my year of saying yes to what’s on offer.
Maybe someday I’ll write up an article about the AWP experience as an older newbie. For now I’m decompressing and taking advantage of a Sunday to do almost nothing productive. Between Wednesday and Saturday, I walked an average of four-and-a-half to five miles per day getting to and around the Convention Center. I attended a ton of panels, met a bunch of nice people, and generally led a very active and extroverted life. It was a fun party but I’m glad it’s time to rest.
I went light on photos but managed to take enough for a little Instagram post.
Here I am at the Choate Winery/Bookstradamus guest author table at the book fair.
The book fair was huge and overwhelming, but I learned Sue Shapiro’s students are never alone at a thing like this. Even though this was my first AWP I already had friends to hang with.
A group of Sue’s former students also did a great panel about essay writing and personal identity. Maybe I’m biased but I think it was one of the best.
My notes from the AWP panels came out more unstructured than usual, but I wrote a lot. I jotted down ideas, insights, and so many books and people to look up when I got home. I filled my pen immediately before the conference and came away with the ink chamber looking as drained as my social battery.
The weather was misty or drizzly most of the time, but I still enjoyed my walks to and from the train. Driving and parking add stress to a situation. Walking and public transit feel more neutral, or even positive. Rather than a chore, my commute becomes a a chance to regroup (or just turn my brain off).
To everyone I met at AWP: I hope we cross paths again! To the world outside my house: I’ll see you after I sleep all this off.
Leave a Reply