As
we here at La Bloga have been
reporting, this year, AWP held its Annual Conference & Bookfair in Seattle to
celebrate the outstanding authors, teachers, writing programs, literary
centers, and small press publishers (though larger publishers were certainly in attendance). The conference features hundreds
of presentations: readings, lectures, panel discussions, and forums plus
hundreds of book signings, receptions, dances, and informal gatherings. The
conference attracts more than 10,000 attendees and hundreds of publishers. It’s
one of the biggest and liveliest literary gatherings in the country.
This
year, the conference was held on February 26 through March 1. You’ve already
been treated to some highlights here on La
Bloga, and now is my chance to share some images and thoughts.
I
also spent time at the University of Arizona Press booth to sign my novel, The Book of Want,
and I staffed the Fairy
Tale Review table in honor of the review’s tenth anniversary edition,
The Emerald Issue, that featured my story, “The Last Dream of Pánfilo Velasco.”
I
attended the Con Tinta and los Norteños Writers in honoring Jesús “El Flaco”
Maldonado and Kathleen Alcalá on Thursday, February 27, just an hour after I
landed in Seattle. It was held at Mexico Cantina y Cocina. We were treated to
readings and a play, too.
I had a chance to attended several wonderful
panels including a celebration of Tía Chucha’s 25th anniversary of
publishing poetry which was moderated by Luis Rodriguez. In between planned
events, I wandered the vast exhibitions hall and visited various publishers of
books and literary journals. And, of course, I hung out at the hotel bar where
so many great writers spent the evening hours enjoying good company and a few
beverages.
Since,
as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, here are some visual
highlights taken with my trusty Motorola Razor phone. And in a couple of weeks, I will bring you highlights from my participation in the Tucson Festival of Books this last weekend.
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| Jesús “El Flaco” Maldonado |
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| Kathleen Alcalá |
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Editors
of the Cossack Review: Ruben Quesada, Brian Kornell and Christine Gosnay
|
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| Chicana/o Noir panel: Michael Nava and Lucha Corpi |
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| Chicana/o Noir panel: Manuel Ramos, Michael Nava and Lucha Corpi |
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| Chicana/o Noir panel: Sarah Cortez and Michael Nava |
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| Chicana/o Noir panel: Michael Nava |
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| Manuel Ramos, Norma Cantú and brother, Jim Cantú |
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| Me, Manuel Ramos and Jim Cantú |
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Luis
J. Rodriguez
|
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| Roxane Gay, author and editor of the literary
journal, PANK |
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| Cristina Henríquez, short-story writer and
novelist |
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| Xánath Caraza and Daniel Chacón |
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| Kristen Buckles, Acquiring Editor, University of
Arizona Press |
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| Phoebe Bosche, poet and editor of the Raven Chronicles |
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| Beth Spencer, editor at Bear Star Press |
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| The Fairy Tale Review |
IN OTHER LITERARY NEWS…
First,
on Friday, March 21, at 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., Xánath will do a reading and
writing exercise in Jerome Richfield Hall 118. For more information on this
first event, visit here.
The second appearance will be on Saturday, March 22, at 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
at the Chicano House. These are both free events. Click here for a map of the campus and information
on parking. For additional information on visiting the CSUN campus, click here.
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| Xánath Caraza |
◙ On Saturday, March
22, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., come celebrate the 13th anniversary of Tía Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore!
For information on the event, click here.
The theme of this anniversary is “Flowering Our Journey—Floreando Nuestro
Camino.” Plan for a full day of literature, food, music and more! Address: 13197
Gladstone Ave, Unit A, Sylmar, CA 91342.
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