Here’s a guest post from Jenna Lester, our awesome and astute editorial intern without whom much of my list’s back matter wouldn’t exist. Jenna has exciting news to share about a conference that’s sure to be of interest to all writers and book lovers!
Greetings, fellow book lovers!
As the current editorial intern here at Lerner, I’ve been busy creating indexes, style sheets, iBook activities, and more in order to help the editorial staff continue to produce amazingly high-quality books. But today, my love of books has me out of the office and off on an adventure. I’m headed to Seattle, where I’ll be participating in the 2014 AWP Conference.
What is AWP? It’s the largest literary conference in North America, aka heaven on Earth for writers and book lovers. Each year, writers, editors, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and readers from all around the world come together for four days to celebrate great books and great writing. Last year, some 12,000 people attended the conference, and 650 publishing houses, writing programs, and literary organizations participated in the AWP Bookfair. But are you ready for the really exciting news? Next year, this gigantic writing conference will be held right here in Minneapolis, from April 8th–11th!
The 2014 conference kicked off yesterday and will be going strong through Saturday, March 1st. With so many events going on, I’ve been struggling to narrow down my top picks. There are panel discussions on writing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry; writing for children and teens; starting a writing group; self-publishing; editing and criticism; book arts; e-books; graduate writing programs; youth writing programs; and so much more. Not to mention that with so many talented authors in town, there are readings, book signings, and other author events going on each day, from early in the morning until after midnight. And did I mention the enormous bookfair? Needless to say, my suitcase will be quite a bit heavier on the flight home!
As I’m sure you can tell, I’m very excited about this year’s conference. But I’m even more excited that next year, AWP will be bringing thousands of writers and readers from Minnesota, and from around the globe, together to celebrate the remarkable literary community we have here in the Twin Cities. So mark your calendars, call up your fellow bookworms, and get excited, because AWP is coming our way.