More highlights of AWP in Seattle, 2014

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.

As you know, the Latin@ presence was strong this year. Personally, I had the opportunity to moderate a panel titled “Chicana/o Noir: Murder, Mayhem and Mexican Americans“ with panelists Lucha Corpi, Manuel Ramos, Sarah Cortez and Michael Nava.

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 25^th 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.

Jesús “El Flaco” Maldonado 

Kathleen Alcalá 

Editors of the Cossack Review: Ruben Quesada, Brian Kornell and Christine Gosnay

Chicana/o Noir panel: Michael Nava and Lucha Corpi

Chicana/o Noir panel: Manuel Ramos, Michael Nava and Lucha Corpi

Chicana/o Noir panel: Sarah Cortez and Michael Nava

Chicana/o Noir panel: Michael Nava

Manuel Ramos, Norma Cantú and brother, Jim Cantú

Me, Manuel Ramos and Jim Cantú

Luis J. Rodriguez

Roxane Gay, author and editor of the literary journal, PANK

Cristina Henríquez, short-story writer and novelist

Xánath Caraza and Daniel Chacón

Kristen Buckles, Acquiring Editor, University of Arizona Press

Phoebe Bosche, poet and editor of the Raven Chronicles

Beth Spencer, editor at Bear Star Press

The Fairy Tale Review

IN OTHER LITERARY NEWS…

◙ La Bloga’s own Xánath Caraza will help Cal State Northridge celebrate the 45^th anniversary of the university’s Chicana/o Studies Department with two events:

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.

Xánath Caraza 

◙ On Saturday, March 22, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., come celebrate the 13^th 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.