by Sakae Manning
It’s been three years since I attended my first AWP in Portland where I had the most incredible experience due to following Women Who Submit member, Bonnie Kaplan’s suggestion, “It all happens at the off-site events.” I took my new friend’s advice and attended every evening reading that resonated, starting in a cool, dark bar where I did my first open mic and drank a Moscow Mule mocktail named after Stalin; plus, I met new writer friends.
Then, I jumped in with Cave Canum, VONA, and attended the Freya Project reading in a high-ceilinged concrete-filled jewelry gallery where I spotted T. Kira Madden and thought she was someone I knew from Oakland. Yeah, I did that, but I got to meet, hug, and listen to Madden read from Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Daughters. I was embraced as a new Women Who Submit member when nervously showing up to their social hour where I ate cheese and mingled with writers whose work speaks to me. I mapped out discussions and panels and got teary-eyed when Maxine Hong Kingston took the main stage.
It was tough when I canceled San Antonio, went virtual for Kansas City, and skipped Philadelphia. This break has provided nonprofit AWP time to sort out how to host a conference, historically built on networking and personal connections, where literally thousands attend, and attempt to recreate a reasonably safe pre-pandemic experience. This year, AWP is hybrid, meaning one may attend in person or virtually. Since my writing partner and I are hosting a panel, we’re attending with precautions including masking (see recent AWP communication regarding health precautions).
How to choose? What to do? Noriko Nakada, WWS Leadership, suggests avoiding FOMO and narrowing in on personal experiences, “I attend only panels and lectures that feed me and my writing.” Kate Maruyama, WWS Board Member notes, “Whoever you are with at AWP is correct. Once you hit panels and readings you want to go to, the rest of your time is to go where the day takes you.” I echo both women’s advice, and add Yelping favorite restaurants ahead of time because it can be difficult to settle on sustenance when the feet are hollering from being on a concrete floor all day.
From WWS Director, Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo, “If you’re like me and get nervous about being around a bunch of new people or saying something dumb in front of literati, I suggest using your hours at the convention to support the people you already know. I did this at AWP Portland, and it made a world of difference. I was at events with people I genuinely enjoy and admire.” Xochitl wrote about her experience on the Women Who Submit blog, Transforming AWP Through Our Collective Power.
How to organize your schedule: Like most nonprofits, AWP has a small, core staff, but they try to make technology user-friendly. Here’s how I do it. First, I downloaded the conference program on my laptop, and carefully reviewed and selected events by marking them before saving them on my AWP account. Then, I downloaded the app on my smartphone and did the same. I give this process a 3.5 in functionality, because the app and computer are unable to sync, which means I had to choose all the workshops again on the app, schedule, and set reminder alarms. On the floor, I find the app intuitive, and easily accessible, as I can toggle between the entire conference schedule and what I’ve pre-set for myself.
Where is the Conference? I suggest checking out the Seattle Convention Center layout prior to arrival, understanding the parking and public transport systems, as this makes for more time enjoying the conference and saves feet (aww, packing compression socks), and identifying specific locations where one can get away from the hustle and noise. For more, visit, https://seattleconventioncenter.com.
If one does not need elevators, please use stairs and escalators, so attendees using mobility scooters, or wheelchairs, or who have other mobility challenges can easily navigate and get to events on time.
Is the book fair a thing? Yes, the book fair is huge, loud (earplugs are helpful), and feels like a trade show floor filled with Red Bull on steroids. Noriko pre-plans and sets goals, “I limit my time walking around the book fair to visiting and meeting in person presses who published my work or tabling for presses/organizations where I want to connect. I still spend more time than I want there, but when presses show me who they are (not friendly to women/BIPOC), this is confirmed in that book room!” Alyss Dixon, Women Who Submit co-founder/advisor, suggests buying indie press books early because they sell out fast. Alyss also suggests doing one final book fair lap on the last day, “Bring a piece of luggage with wheels so you can scoop all the freebies and books.” AWP board member, Rachelle Yousuf did this in Portland, and she scored big time.
Got questions? Phoning AWP is tough closer to the conference launch, so email, call, and wait 24-48 hours for a response before communicating again. They’re literally drowning in emails and voice mail; plus, at some point, they’re traveling and on location.
Trained people, including locals hired for the conference, are stationed as guides. If arriving on Wednesday, a big tip is to pick up registration at the SCC from 12 noon until 7 pm. Thursday and Friday will look like the opening day of Harry’s House on La Cienega without sunshine and good vibes.
Self-care? A resounding YES! AWP offers quiet places (Wellness Rooms for private quiet time; keys available at AWP help desk) and the (Emily) Dickinson Quiet Space (8 am-5 pm each day) to give over-stimulated brains and souls a break. Morning offerings include AWP’s 9 am writers’ yoga sessions, and the Sober AWP, 12-step meeting, (7:30-8:45 am each day). There are also nursing mothers’ rooms (8 am-5 pm each day). All details are provided in AWP’s full schedule, which is now living on my phone.
Alyss reminds attendees to pack high-protein snacks (bars and nuts are perfect), hydrate, stay hydrated, and hydrate some more. This is especially critical during the day when traversing literally miles and finishing off the evening with libations.
Bring a reusable water bottle, because the SCC has filling stations throughout. Tip: Avoid buying anything, including coffee, inside the SCC to save money and time. Lines get really long, but if the caffeine or munchy cravings are a must, and one is stuck in a snaky line, make a friend. We’re all there to talk words, books, and writing.
I end with long-timer Kate’s sage advice, “if you’re a seasoned pro, find the newer, overwhelmed writer and introduce them to a few folks, take them to tables to meet people, give them a head start on the networking.” This, my writerly friends, is what Women Who Submit are all about!
Following are past WWS blog posts related to attending AWP:
Pushing Publishing at the AWP Book Fair: A Choose Your Own Adventure!
Attending the AWP You Want to Create
Transforming AWP Through Our Collective Power
Women Who Submit at AWP Portland
Sakae Manning’s (they/them) fiction lives in The Tahoma Literary Review (Pushcart nod), Carve Magazine, Dryland Lit, and Blood Orange Review. As writer-in-residence at The Annenberg Community Beach House, Manning produced programs amplifying BIWOC writers. They are on the leadership team for Women Who Submit, an alum of the AWP Writer-to-Writer Program, and an Anaphora Arts fellow.