AWP tips, a New Review, and Recovery Time

So, as I slowly recover the use of my lungs (from pneumonia) and arm (from a broken/cartilage damaged elbow) I feel the pressure to get ready for AWP and catch up on a bunch of work I had to put off for a while in the last two weeks.

But one piece of nice news was a review of Unexplained Fevers in issue 15 of the LA Review – http://newbinarypress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Unexplained_Fevers_LAR15.pdf – which my publisher kindly scanned and posted for me!

So, I’d like to offer some tips for AWP (along with this great set of tips Kelli has already posted which I heartily agree with)

1. Hydrate. Eat on a regular basis, even if it’s just a Kind bar and a latte. Be better to your body than usual. Use lip balm. Brush your teeth and shower. Sleep.
I know these all seem kind of basic, but even a regularly good self-care-type can go kind of crazy at AWP, and neglect all of these things, which makes you seem 1. cranky and 2. less appealing. Also, practical dressing: it can be too hot in the book fair and too cold in the panel rooms or outside, so dress in layers you can get on and off easily. You’ll be on your feet a lot, and Seattle-ites are very relaxed about their footwear, so wear comfortable shoes.

2. I’m not just saying this because I have a broken elbow this year that I’m worried about getting rammed into twenty times at the book fair – but don’t shove or run into people at the book fair! One of my friends has a story about a bigger, “important” male poet who ran into her small self full-speed rudely at the book fair and didn’t stop to say “excuse me” or apologize. Later, when she had her “important editor” badge on, he tried to be nice to her at a party, but she had already had her first impression. Try to be kind, make space for people in casts and wheelchairs in the aisles, watch for where your bookbag is swinging, and generally try for good manners, because you never know whose foot you might be stepping on.

3. Kelli already covered this a little, but seriously, don’t try to go to everything. Get out of the site once or twice – the best things I remember about past AWPs were things like going to offsite parties, or to little out-of-the-way restaurants a local writer took me to for some down-time and catching up, or sight-seeing on a long stretch of time by myself. You don’t need to be at every reading, panel, and party – you’ll only be exhausted and you’ll remember less. Pick a few things a day, and if one of them doesn’t work out, see that as an opportunity to find someone you like, get some coffee, see the city.

4. Generally, try to have fun and not stress out. This AWP is probably not going to make or break your career. Stop stressing, take a deep breath. During your booth book signing times, it can be awkward – either too busy or too quiet. Relax, make conversation with people nearby but don’t try to cram your book down unsuspecting passers-by’s tote bags, and also avoid being engrossed in your smart phone, or you might miss an opportunity. Also, stop feeling like you need to meet and talk to everyone. The spontaneous stuff that happens naturally is a lot more fun, like getting stuck in the elevator with Margaret Atwood, or whatever.