AWP is in Philly this year and I’m excited to be attending. This year I’ll be dual-hatted and will be there as both a poet and as the founder/EIC of Riot in Your Throat. I know that in addition to playing both roles this year, the presence of COVID and all its annoying and never ending variants, will make the conference look different – a lot of panels will be virtual, we’ll all be wearing masks, and attendance will likely be lower than in years past.
My last AWP was in 2019 in Portland, OR and I loved it. I loved the time spent with writers, fueled by coffee and creativity and late nights talking about writing and poetry. So while this year will look a little different, I’m still hopeful I’ll get that high from being around my people.
I’ll spend much of AWP staffing the Riot in Your Throat table at the book fair. You can find me at Table T1348 (or use this map) – we’re sharing the table with Mason Jar Press, a wonderful small press out of Baltimore. While I plan on being there most of the time, if you want your book signed and like to plan your day, here are the times I’ll definitely be at the table:
Also, I’m participating in the Riot in Your Throat & Friends off-site reading on Saturday night at 7pm at A Novel Idea. I’m reading with Melissa Fite Johnson, Kelly Grace Thomas, and Elizabeth Johnston Ambrose – it’s going to be a magical night and I’d love to see you there. Space is limited so registration is required! It’s free, but masks and proof of vax are required to attend – let’s keep each other safe!
Even though AWP will look different this year I’m still looking forward to it. I need this time with poets and writers and presses. I want to wander the book fair and have authors sign their books – last time I bought 15 books, which I felt was a reasonable amount since I had to fly home and needed to fit them all in my suitcase without it going overweight. This year, I’m driving so I’ll have no such limitations. I wonder how many I’ll buy…
