Message in an AWP Bottle

AWP is like one big high school reunion weekend for writers, at least that's been my experience. Since my focus is poetry, however, I forget that there are other genres. There are throngs of conference-goers here in D.C., many more than in Denver, I suspect.

I've been tweeting for AWP, which is terrific (Thanks Caleb!) but I'm starting to have that feeling that every conversation I have is potential blog content. And I have developed "AWP eye," that roaming eye syndrome where I'm speaking with someone but my eye starts to drift to see who's passing by. But I have to say I've had a lot of little moments that add up to one fantastic conference.

Saturday has been the busiest day at AWP. It's also the day booksellers unload their inventory for cheap or free because no one wants to hall anything back home. Needless to say, I have picked up a few freebies.


Here are a few pictures from the conference.

(l-r) Me, Patricia Smith, Saeed Jones, Jacqueline Jones LaMon, and a lovely woman whose name I didn't catch (oops!)

Jacqueline Jones LaMon and me

Poet-bloggers unite! Me, Kelli Russell Agodon, Kristin Berkey-Abbott, and Susan Rich at the White Pine Press reading at Busboys and Poets.

And the two photos that follow are from VIDA and the Men Who Love Us. Sixteen fabulous male writers read short selections by women writers. It was a very cool reading.

Terrance Hayes

Paul Lisicky