AWP Is Over, Now What...?
We didn’t pass up the chance to attend AWP19 in Portland. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly by attending offsite events before the conference started, and even after it ended, to get the full experience. Portland also had a lot to offer, so we made sure to discover and enjoy as much of it as we could.
AWP19 Offsite Event
AWP19 Poetry Booth
AWP19 Poetry & Karaoke Battle
Now that the AWP high has worn off, the most important thing to do is to take action and connect with everyone outside of the conference.
Yes, AWP took tons of physical and mental energy. Sleep, work, family time, chores fell to the wayside while you were gone. So, you took a day or two for recovery—you need it, you deserve it—but now it’s time to get back into writing and book promotion mode. Here’s what to do next.
Organize your notes
There’s a good chance that you have plenty of notes written on business cards, scraps of paper, on your phone, and in your notebook. Sort through them and create the following lists:
Books to buy and add to your TBR pile
You discovered some gems written by authors you met or heard of, but you didn’t buy them at the fair. Order them or at least collect them all in one place, and please write a review to support your fellow authors.
Things to do immediately
You met the editors of your new favorite journals. Maybe you exchanged cards, perhaps they invited you to submit your work. Send it today, before they are completely inundated with submissions. The best time to pitch article ideas is also now, while editors may remember you and you them.
People to connect with
All the writers and new friends you met still have a vivid memory of you. That will change in a few weeks unless you follow up with them now. Send a quick email, add them on Twitter, follow them on Instagram. Show them that you still care. Don’t overthink this. A few lines about having enjoyed the meeting is enough for the first email. Do this within a week, or you risk losing a business card, forgetting who the person was, or feeling like it’s been too long and not wanting to look forgetful. Take it from us, we’ve done the awkward, “Hey, so, I meant to write after AWP16, but…” shuffle.
What else should you do?
Sort out your swag
Do you still have everything in that AWP19 tote bag? Don’t leave your findings there, collecting dust. Sort them out and take some pictures of all the beautiful postcards, stickers, candy, journals, and books you picked up at the fair and post them on social media. Tag the journal that generously hauled all that swag cross-country to make your day. Your post will make theirs in return.
Think about your own panel
Spend 15 minutes brainstorming some ideas for an AWP panel you may want to propose. The deadline is May 1st, and it may take a while to find your panelists.
Share your experience
If you had a good time or you learned a lot, (And how could you not? It’s the AWP conference!), get the word out. Blog about it and share it on social media. Let other writers know what you learned, what resonated with you, and what inspired you. Make sure to link to, or tag, the appropriate parties. Consider it as a way to share your knowledge and give back, at the same time being visible to others who attended so they, too, can connect with you.
