AWP brought us to Baltimore, and PWN showed up ready. Here’s what our writers took home.
For the second year running, PWN/book inc packed its bags for AWP—this time trading the LA sunshine for Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. We had our table in the Bookfair, our people on the floor, and once again, a community that made one of the largest literary conferences in the country feel surprisingly intimate.
We asked our writers to look back on the experience. Here’s what they had to say.
What was your biggest takeaway from AWP this year—the one thing you’re carrying back to your writing desk?
Shanda: Be yourself first in all your work. Don’t worry about trends or what the industry may want. Write from your own place.
Court: Zoom is great, but meeting other writers face-to-face can really boost your sense of literary community. Writing is often a solitary activity, and spending quality time with other writers inspires me to return to my desk with renewed energy.
Jen G: I loved the energy of the conference and the feeling that we’re all there, following our own creative pursuits—and there’s room for all of them.
Eileen: Everyone was encouraged to talk about their writing seriously. “What are you writing?” was a frequent opener. By the end of day three, I was a pro at pitching.
Liz: The writing community is not as large and scary as I previously thought. This year, I knew so many people and get reintroduced to people I had met at previous conferences. It’s a small writing world after all!
Was there a panel, reading, or conversation that surprised you or challenged your thinking?
Shanda: If one form for getting your story out in the world doesn’t work, try another. Don’t limit yourself to the written word—film, Instagram, art. The options are wider than we think.
Court: “Bad Romance,” a panel focused on writing about difficult relationships in creative nonfiction, raised poignant questions about how we depict others in our work. The panelists shared excerpts alongside their varied approaches, and I’m still thinking about it.
Jen G: The panel on writing endings was a highlight. I didn’t come away with a tidy set of instructions—a girl can dream—but hearing four writers reflect honestly on how they approach endings, and acknowledge that the challenge is part of the process, was genuinely reassuring.
Eileen: A panel called “What a Debut Author Needs To Do” featured several publicists sharing practical ways to find your audience. One piece of advice stuck with me: make a list of the specific moments in your book—ice skating, Chicago, pop tarts, disco demolition — and that’s where you find your readers.
Liz: I was blown away by this new essay contest I learned about, March Xness. It’s an annual, competitive, and creative tournament of essays focusing on curated themes of music, memory, and culture. It just seemed so fun and creative. Right now, I’m just a reader, but maybe I’ll participate one year.
What did it mean to be at AWP as part of the PWN/book inc community?
Shanda: You had your people with you—to chat, confer, and compare notes. The conference is so big that without that, it can feel lonely. My book inc community also showed up for my offsite reading, which meant a lot.
Court: I loved meeting everyone from PWN in person. Working the table at the Bookfair gave me the chance to talk with current PWNers and potential ones. I try to spread the word whenever and wherever I can.
Jen G: Having the table as a home base was a comfort—the conference can be overwhelming. I got to see people I don’t always get to hang out with and hear what they were working on.
Eileen: It was great to have a home base and be with my PWN people in person. It reminded me of the old days, but better—because now we have a strong track record of publications behind us. Working the table was a pleasure. So many great people with great stories.
Liz: I love our writing community so so much. I loved seeing people IRL who I’d only met on Zoom before. I love how we support each other. Just good vibes all around for the PWN community.
Tell us about a memorable encounter with a writer, editor, publisher, or a stranger in line.
Shanda: I saw Roxanne Gay. I met so many writers I’m a fan of, in person, for the first time.
Court: I love the offsite evening readings at AWP. At Flash the Court and Ghost Parachute, I met so many longtime luminaries in the flash field — writers whose work I’ve admired for years. I also ran into Courtney Maum by the on-site shipping center. She thanked PWN for hosting her, and I got to tell her how fantastic she was as our feature. There’s something about expressing gratitude in person that you just can’t replicate on Zoom.
Eileen: I recognized Tommy Dean and said hello—he seemed genuinely surprised to be recognized. I spotted the poet Kazim Ali from across the room and, even at that distance, felt a little unworthy.
Liz: Andrea Firth, who is doing a workshop for us, Write About Writing, came to our table to introduce herself. She said, “You guys are getting a lot of big names.” And I thought yes, we’re doing it! I’m so proud of our little nonprofit that could!
The Bookfair can be overwhelming. What did you discover there?
Shanda: Torch Literary Arts, an organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black women writers, was a standout. I also met at least ten people I can collaborate with on book promotion and more.
Court: I rediscovered my low-residency MFA program, which has undergone a lot of changes since my graduation in 2017. Sierra Nevada College is now the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, but the people are just as wonderful. I spent time with the new director, the former director, current students, and fellow alumni. Another literary community doing great work.
Jen G: Just putting faces to the literary magazines made the submission process feel more personal—like these are people who are genuinely excited to read your work and, despite the rejections, are rooting for you.
Eileen: I loved Camie at Does It Have Pockets, and the folks at StoryStudio Chicago—similar to PWN but more established. They always make me feel like family.
Liz: This sober introvert can “people” as long as I remember to take breaks. I wrote about how I took care of myself in a recent Substack post.
What would you tell a book inc writer who’s on the fence about attending AWP next year in Chicago?
Shanda: Just do it. You gain so much in a short time if you take advantage of being there. There really is nothing else like it.
Court: AWP is an opportunity to strengthen connections. I’ve attended most years since my first in LA in 2018, and I hope to see everyone again in Chicago in 2027. As an attendee, you set your own schedule—you can design your days around your particular needs and interests.
Jen G: Go. No matter what stage of the writing process you’re in, you’ll find inspiration. Being surrounded by all those writers actually felt like the perfect antidote to imposter syndrome.
Eileen: Absolutely, go. It’s a great way to meet people and learn new things. The energy is everything.
Liz: OMG come! We are going to have so much fun. It will be St. Paddy’s Day in Chicago! The river will be green!
Finish this sentence: “I came home from AWP and immediately…”
Shanda: …wrote down all my new connections, followed them on Instagram, and emailed when appropriate.
Court: …did some yard work, because the spring bulbs were starting to poke through!
Jen G: …checked AWP’s Instagram to see what I’d missed on the last day!
Eileen: …went to bed, because with all that networking, I caught a cold.
Liz: …emailed Jane Friedman. She’s going to do a workshop for PWN. Yay!