On My Way: AWP National Conference 2014

I’ve mentioned AWP before on this site, as I attended the national conference in both 2012 and 2013. This year, 2014, will mark my third time attending the Association of Writers and Writing Programs National Conference, which takes place in Seattle this year. (The two conferences I previously attended were in Chicago [2012] and Boston [2013].)

This year, I’m attending as a staff member of Rathalla Review. You can come visit me at the Rathalla Review table on the book fair floor – if you do, I’ll give you a free magazine!  Our booth is #400, and you can also learn more about Rosemont College.

There are tons of panels I’m looking forward to checking out this year, too, though being busy with the table may prevent me from actually making it to all of them – and some of them may be packed, anyway!  Here are my top picks for panels at AWP 2014:

1. Science Fiction and Fantasy by Women of the Pacific Northwest: A Hydra House Reading. (Friday, Feb. 28 9-10:15, Rm 303) According to the panel description, the number of sci-fi and fantasy writers in the Pacific Northwest has generated a number of small presses.  While I do love reading science fiction and fantasy, I’m not familiar with many small presses – I mainly read from Orbit Books and Tor if I’m reading adult fiction – so I’m thrilled to check out this reading and also check out the titles from Hydra House.  (If I’m reading the description correctly, the readers will be Louise Marley, KC Ball, Danika Dinsmore, Rachel Swirsky, and Abbey Mei Otis.)
2. Hip Lit: How Innovative Reading Series are Revamping the Literary Scene (Saturday, Mar. 1 9-10:15, Rm. 618/619/620) I admit I really like interesting readings. This panel will talk about PR strategies, curating “creatively,” and making readings fresh and exciting. As I’m really interested in pursuing public relations and publicity as a publishing industry career choice, it really sounds right up my alley, and I love implementing creative ideas.
3. We’re Having a party: Building a Literary Community Through Event Series (Thursday, Feb. 27 9-10:15, Rm. 305) Another fun event-based panel, this one will address event space, curating, funding, and hosting along with publicity, so it seems like it may be complementary to the other one. This panel also seems like it will focus on promoting independent authors and artists along with local creative communities, which is also something I’m really excited about trying out.

These are my top three on-site events for this year’s conference, and I really hope I can make it to all of them – they’re all so early in the morning, and I have a table to help with! I’d also like to check out two off-site events: the Filipino Writers Reading (Wednesday, Feb. 26 6:30 at University of Washington) and Monster Mags of the Midwest (Thursday, Feb. 27 6:30 at Unicorn on E. Pike).

There are a ton of other events and panels on my list, but these are the top – who knows how much time I’ll have to visit the things I want to visit?  I hope to see some of you there.  What are you most excited to see at AWP this year?