AWP-Land

I thought I'd have it in me to put actual paragraphs together, but I'll just say the quickest goodnight from AWP-land in D.C., where I'm pretty much sacked out in the hotel room, having chewed so much React gum--twenty-five sticks in a row--my jaw is exhausted. It's a relief to have made it here without too much of a fuss, given all the ice and snow and frozen slop. The biggest day tomorrow--a panel and two off-site readings--then another panel Friday afternoon, but just thought I'd pass along the descriptions of the events I'm a part of, in case you're here. If you see me wandering confused in the hallways, grab me and say hi--or point me in the right direction. And safe travels if you're still on the way.

Tomorrow: Pictures!

Thursday, Feb. 3, 1:30-2:45
R174. Representing the Erotic in Literary Fiction. (Varley O’Connor, Phillip Lopate, Michelle Latiolais, Carol Moldaw, Paul Lisicky) How do writers approach and render sex believably and inventively in a society of sexual saturation? Our panel of fiction writers will analyze sexuality in their work across cultures, generations, and in relation to disability. They will discuss the impact of sexual orientation on characterization and point of view; examine how desire may drive narrative and influence image and voice; and consider sex as a lens to evoke fresh perspectives on gender.

Thursday, Feb. 3, 7:30-10:30 PM
3 Dollar Bill (AWP Queer Reading)
Location: Human Rights Campaign Equality Forum, 1640 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Cost: Free
Website: Here
Description: Join us for a night of rapid-fire readings by some of the LGBT community's most talented and dynamic writers. Thirty readers of poetry and prose will each read two minutes of their work: Francisco Aragón, Ilse Bendorf, Tamiko Beyer, Regie Cabico, Cynn Chadwick, Julie Enszer, Danielle Evennou, Gina Evers, Reginald Harris, Natalie E. Illum Charles Jensen, Saeed Jones, Eloise Klein Healy, Rickey Laurentiis, Paul Lisicky, Michael Montlack, Eileen Myles, Kristin Naca, Achy Obejas, Christa Orth, Minnie Bruce Pratt, Radclyffe, Douglas Ray, Jason Schneiderman, Joseph Shapiro, Ely Shipley, Justin Torres, Dan Vera, and V Wetlaufer. Sponsored by Arktoi Books, BLOOM Literary Journal, Human Rights Campaign, Knockout Literary Magazine, The Lambda Literary Foundation, A Midsummer Night’s Press, The Publishing Triangle, Sibling Rivalry Press/Assarcus Journal, Sinister Wisdom Literary Journal, White Crane Institute, and The Writer’s Center.

Thursday, 9:00 PM-12:00 AM
VIDA and the Men Who Love Us: Reading and Dance Party
Location: The Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW, Washington, DC
Cost: $10
Website: Here
Description: Support the work of VIDA: Women in Literary Arts! Sixteen fabulous male writers will read short selections by women writers they admire, followed by a dance party hosted by DJs Mark Bibbins and Adam Boles at the coolest spot in town.

Friday, Feb. 4, 3:00-4:15 PM
F195. Flinging the Ink Pot: Resisting Messages About Off-Limits Subjects in Memoir. (Jill Christman, Kate Hopper, Paul Lisicky, Joe Mackall, Sue William Silverman) This panel of memoirists will consider what happens when we write about subjects that are commonly lumped together and dismissed by the publishing industry. It seems we shouldn’t talk about abuse, addiction, or parenting of any stripe. Why are certain subjects seen as played out, clichéd, and sensational? We will consider whether we can avoid categorizing giant facets of human experience as literary no-nos, and find our way back to the serious writing of the stories we need to tell.

UPDATE: A Room with a View. Good morning.