I don't have the time, money, or energy to head down to Atlanta this weekend for the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference, but that doesn't mean there won't be any coverage here at Syntax of Things. Our fearless and often wreckless Chapel Hill correspondent George Kaplan is making the trek and has promised to send back some reports. Well, he promises to look for free internet access in between his runs to the ATM machine for dollar bills so he can "make it rain" at one of Atlanta's classier establishments. I was happy to wake up this morning to an email from George in which he details just his first day at the conference. Hopefully it won't be the last, but if it is, I'll understand.
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I'm writing this the night before I drive down to Atlanta to attend AWP--although I love taking a tax write-off to see old friends and make new ones, I'm not sure how I feel about the conference these days. When making your way through the bookfair seems never-ending, I think things are getting a little too big, even though it sure beats the hell out of nobody attending. I tried for a conference hotel room back in November and had to get one at the third choice so I'm thinking the crowd isn't thinning any this year. But it's within driving distance this time so...I'm going.
With the throng of attendees, you get reminded of things about yourself you'd prefer to think have been left behind. It's like looking in an awful mirror over and over and over again. I can make one promise, though--I will not present anyone with a story or manuscript and expect them to keep track of it for days at their card table at a freakin' Shriners' convention for writers.
Shameless name-dropping, however--that's another story.
Note: those arriving may be glad to know there's a Chapel Hill Harris Teeter VIC card special on condoms. Not so much for me. I'm just sayin'. Maybe the special extends to GA.
Last year I witnessed a decision that left me puzzled: live captioning of the readings. The malaprops and unfortunate misspellings were often entertaining but the time delay and typing and erasing and retyping were quite distracting. These are writers reading from prepared material so why does it have to be in real time? I realize it's not exactly a script but most of the work is already done. Seems to me that those who need the captioning might be better off.
But kudos last year for Denis Johnson and his improv "I...am doing...the best...I...goddamn...can." I'll try to have my teeny moleskine in tow to record any unfortunate text but here's hoping that's a fruitless gesture.
Looks like wireless in my hotel is fee-based so I may not have the resources I need to keep you updated like you so deserve. At least that's the excuse I'll be giving--I'm not taking my laptop to The Cheetah. There is a mysterious "data port" listed among my room amenities--whether that means ethernet and Internet access, I'll have to find out when I arrive. But enjoy these posts while you can. I'm not dedicated enough to pay for hotel or Starbucks wireless.
What should I see Thursday?
9:00 am
"Literary Theory: It Works in Practice, but Does It Work in Theory?" A panel on literary theory and how it affects creative writing. My first response is "badly," but I'd listen to someone if they cornered me for a second. But no Claire Messud or equivalent on the panel.
"Peter Taylor" with James Wood and John Casey and Mary Flinn. Maybe. If I'm up.
There's a panel on self-marketing. With The Tod Goldberg. In person. There's no time for another Parade rant so this could be promising. I recognize him and Speer Morgan but I'm not sure how effective a self-marketing panel is when I don't recognize the other three members. But it's right next door to Peter Taylor's group so maybe Tod will speak when Wyatt Prunty's speaking in the other room. Here's hoping. If not, Nathalie Handal looks to be on a panel nearby. Hubba.
10:30
June Spence is reading as part of a Southern Women Writers panel. I may not make this reading but, if you haven't read June Spence, get on that people. Right now.
David Fenza is running a Southeast AWP Program Directors Breakout Session. If you're going to this and he starts to talk about bees, run for your life.
12:00
A reading by poets! And they're George Mason faculty! [end ironic excitement]
I don't usually attend poetry sessions but there's one on "appropriative poetry" that sounds kind of interesting. The kind of panel that would like Brad Vice. I actually mean that and not in a snarky way. That thin line kinda fascinates me. Especially after the scorer of "Babel" won an Oscar for original score even though he seemingly used music from "Deadwood." (I'm assuming it's his music from "Deadwood"). [SoT aside: I assumed the same thing, George, and after a little Googling found that it is his song and that it has been used in other soundtracks. By the way, Gustavo Santaolalla, the man responsible for the song, is scoring the movie adaptation of On the Road.]
"Literary Gossip: Do's and Don'ts" Bob Shacochis is on this panel. I think this qualifies as "Can't Miss" We need more panels like this. Last year, in another panel with ol' Bob, on rejection, Kim Addonizio tore up a paper William Logan, cutting the head off with scissors while making Mr. Bill sounds. Then she set the pieces on fire. That's entertainment.
1:30
A panel on fiction chapbooks. I say, "Why not fiction chapbooks?" Let's hope I'm not making a mistake if I attend.
Denise Duhamel seems to have one panel each session. I hope they have a golf cart for her.
Potential trainwreck notice: Robert Olen Butler reading at 3:00 pm.
4:30
First big conflict. GA Review has George Singleton but, in another room on another floor, Walter Mosely and Francine Prose are going to sit and have a conversation in front of everybody. How often will you see the latter? I predict a shortage of standing room.
8:30 pm
Keynote address: Lee Smith
I realize some of you people out there don't know the glory that is Lee Smith talking about anything. The woman can start a car just by talking to it. If she's around, camp out and just listen. Especially if she's a little bit drunk. You who hate Michael Feldman and you who love Michael Feldman would be impressed to hear she rendered him speechless and just took over an episode of Whaddya Know? That was sumpin'.
10:00 pm
Dance
"music by Party Nation" Nothing like drunk, dancing, unpublished writers. Chicago AWP could draw a crowd but Austin's dance things were the most pathetic empty rooms I'd ever seen. There's also an open mic poetry event at 10:30 pm. Which would you choose?
Answer: neither. The dance on Saturday night, maybe. But Thursday?
I haven't exactly paced myself with this--here's hoping it's not my last entry.
I see that Five Points will be hosting a reception later in the week. Will they accept simultaneous attendees?
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