Making new friends, surrounding yourself with people (many many people) with the same passions as you, meeting editors and seeing numerous literary magazines and other publications in person at the book fair. It’s wise to go with a wing man (a friend) so that you don’t feel overwhelmed if you don’t know anybody. Next year it’s in Baltimore which is a more beginner friendly city because of its size!
Fun fact, you can register under ANY name. You wouldn't believe how much attention I got last year with my David Sedaris nametag. (Just kidding. Safe travels!)
Thank you for all these tips, Courtney and commenters! It’ll be my first AWP and I was truly stressing about AC levels (I’m always cold) so even knowing YES pack that sweater and scarf makes me feel better. I’m excited to soak it all in.
Great reminders -- especially about the water bottle and protein! If you are free on Friday, I am hosting 14 Author Accelerator book coaches for lunch in a private room of Savoca, the restaurant in the lobby of the Marriott. We have a vegetarian entree and chicken (protein!) and we would be delighted to have you join us -- my treat. There will be no karoake and no one will call it a BOMB party 🤣 but it will be quiet and easy.
LA is not as hard as it seems. I'm a writer and author who lives here. I won't be going to AWP this year, but let me add to Courtney's list. Downtown is full of terrific eating spots. Go to Grand Central Market, an indoor and outdoor venue that's got everything from deli food to egg places (like Egg Slut; yes, really, that's what it's called) to Thai places like Sticky Rice to It's a wonderful place to get a feel for our diverse and lively city if you've never been to LA. If you have time also wander around the the Arts District and Little Tokyo. Lots of people don't realize this, but we have have a very efficient subway system called Metro that can get you around downtown. Oh, the rooftop bar at The Ace Hotel. Go there for drinks! xo Mona
I agree with you regarding transportation in LA and have yet to decide whether I'll walk from my hotel (not a very pedestrian friendly route) or drive, but then there's the parking issue. In Portland my husband was able to drop my friend and I to the convention center each day before work, and in Seattle I was able to walk from my hotel. At least the weather should be good in La! 🙂 And yes it gets so cold with the AC. Hoping to make it to at least one of your panels!
It's been awhile since I've been but this seems so practical and down to earth and the sort of thing that you don't find out until too late. Even if you're AWP-savvy the LA setting is a whole new ball game, Ubering from pillar to post.
Thank you!! The peanut butter anecdote is relatable - I have had this happen with so many liquids but PB oil? No. On that note: make sure that even your water bottle cap is twisted closed to the point where you might not even be able to re-open it :) This will be my first AWP - I've attended other smaller conferences and I can't really wrap my head around the sheer size of what's ahead...
As always, your commentary and suggestions hit the mark. There's a generous tone as well, which always makes me feel better. Not going to AWP this year, but I now wish I was. Thanks for being in our corner.
Number 7 especially. I worked the book fair at AWP from 2004 to 2018, first as an editor for a nonprofit book publisher and then as managing editor for a nonprofit literary magazine. I can’t tell you how often someone would ask me what my magazine “was looking for,” but then never actually bought an issue. If you seriously hope to be published somewhere, learn what they publish by buying an issue. And then help ensure they continue to exist (in order to publish you perhaps) by . . . buying an issue (or book).
How does this conference benefit those who are beginners? Is it worth it? Money is tight.
Making new friends, surrounding yourself with people (many many people) with the same passions as you, meeting editors and seeing numerous literary magazines and other publications in person at the book fair. It’s wise to go with a wing man (a friend) so that you don’t feel overwhelmed if you don’t know anybody. Next year it’s in Baltimore which is a more beginner friendly city because of its size!
Thanks! I will start planning for next year. Baltimore would be cheaper for me to get to.
Great post! Hope to do AWP next year.
As someone who can’t make it this year, could you recommend any lit journals for me to add to my subscription list?
Check out this page— the publications the judges edit for or write for are all EXCELLENT magazines! https://awpwriter.org/AWP/AWP/Contests/Intro-Journals-Project/Overview.aspx#:~:text=The%202025%20journals%20are%20Colorado,Reed%20Magazine%2C%20and%20Tampa%20Review.
Fun fact, you can register under ANY name. You wouldn't believe how much attention I got last year with my David Sedaris nametag. (Just kidding. Safe travels!)
Thank you for all these tips, Courtney and commenters! It’ll be my first AWP and I was truly stressing about AC levels (I’m always cold) so even knowing YES pack that sweater and scarf makes me feel better. I’m excited to soak it all in.
This is my first AWP, thanks for the insider tips!
Great reminder on protein, I'm going to pick up a handful of these individual Justin's pouches before I go. https://www.justins.com/products/classic-peanut-butter/
I also dorkily had little biz cards printed awhile back and am putting them on packing list.
Perfect!!!
Great reminders -- especially about the water bottle and protein! If you are free on Friday, I am hosting 14 Author Accelerator book coaches for lunch in a private room of Savoca, the restaurant in the lobby of the Marriott. We have a vegetarian entree and chicken (protein!) and we would be delighted to have you join us -- my treat. There will be no karoake and no one will call it a BOMB party 🤣 but it will be quiet and easy.
Thank you so much! I have a lunch date Friday but I so appreciate this invite!
How often does the conference come to the Midwest? Either coast will always be difficult for me, given my lack of interest in flying.
It was in Kansas City last year, so I imagine it'll be awhile before they circle back to the Midwest again.
These are great tips, and reminders, from scarfs and especially generously supporting publishers. See you there 📚
LA is not as hard as it seems. I'm a writer and author who lives here. I won't be going to AWP this year, but let me add to Courtney's list. Downtown is full of terrific eating spots. Go to Grand Central Market, an indoor and outdoor venue that's got everything from deli food to egg places (like Egg Slut; yes, really, that's what it's called) to Thai places like Sticky Rice to It's a wonderful place to get a feel for our diverse and lively city if you've never been to LA. If you have time also wander around the the Arts District and Little Tokyo. Lots of people don't realize this, but we have have a very efficient subway system called Metro that can get you around downtown. Oh, the rooftop bar at The Ace Hotel. Go there for drinks! xo Mona
Thanks so much for these insider tips!
I agree with you regarding transportation in LA and have yet to decide whether I'll walk from my hotel (not a very pedestrian friendly route) or drive, but then there's the parking issue. In Portland my husband was able to drop my friend and I to the convention center each day before work, and in Seattle I was able to walk from my hotel. At least the weather should be good in La! 🙂 And yes it gets so cold with the AC. Hoping to make it to at least one of your panels!
I'm not going, but you've opened my eyes. I'll follow this advice in the future. Thanks.
It's been awhile since I've been but this seems so practical and down to earth and the sort of thing that you don't find out until too late. Even if you're AWP-savvy the LA setting is a whole new ball game, Ubering from pillar to post.
Thank you!! The peanut butter anecdote is relatable - I have had this happen with so many liquids but PB oil? No. On that note: make sure that even your water bottle cap is twisted closed to the point where you might not even be able to re-open it :) This will be my first AWP - I've attended other smaller conferences and I can't really wrap my head around the sheer size of what's ahead...
As always, your commentary and suggestions hit the mark. There's a generous tone as well, which always makes me feel better. Not going to AWP this year, but I now wish I was. Thanks for being in our corner.
That’s so nice of you to say— thanks Maureen!
Truly grateful! My first time so am feeling better equipped!
Number 7 especially. I worked the book fair at AWP from 2004 to 2018, first as an editor for a nonprofit book publisher and then as managing editor for a nonprofit literary magazine. I can’t tell you how often someone would ask me what my magazine “was looking for,” but then never actually bought an issue. If you seriously hope to be published somewhere, learn what they publish by buying an issue. And then help ensure they continue to exist (in order to publish you perhaps) by . . . buying an issue (or book).
YUP!!!