This week, I attended the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) Annual Conference at the new convention center in downtown Seattle. I participated in lots of events with friends. AWP is a membership organization that supports writers in their academic and professional journeys. The conference brings together writers, writing schools, literary journals, small presses, literary organizations of all types.

VCFA

I spent much of my time at AWP behind the table with the awesome staff at the school where I earned my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults: VCFA. I met with attendees and answered questions about their programs such as their contests, summer conferences and VCFA’s literary journal Hunger Mountain Review. A lot of VCFA graduates were panelists at various AWP Conference events and the school put together this really helpful VCFA AWP 2023 Panel & Event List.

Blair

The booth of a small, friendly, and truly excellent publisher, Blair, was another place where I was pleased to spend time. Based in Durham, NC, Blair is the publisher of of my picture books about the pandemic, COVID-19 HELPERS and Helping The World Get Well: Covid Vaccines.  Blair focuses on fiction, nonfiction, and poetry and have a growing list of really powerful books. They had a booth at AWP as well, and I was able to meet a lot of other Blair authors and make some new friends.

Chanticleer Reviews

My friends at Chanticleer Reviews  arranged for me to do a presentation of my Panda books on the show floor of AWP on Friday, March 11. Chanticleer Reviews serves authors, with marketing reviews, literary contests and editorial help. I really appreciate Kiffer Brown’s support for my work and invitation t do are reading. It was fun to see youngsters enjoying my book.