tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post1161759091092141868..comments2024-03-26T09:40:00.710-06:00Comments on La Bloga: Boston, You're Killing Me: AWP Options for the PoorContributing Bloguistas:http://www.blogger.com/profile/13054190814722049711noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-69422405426211587842013-03-10T17:38:28.073-06:002013-03-10T17:38:28.073-06:00Thank you for all the comments. I love hearing you...Thank you for all the comments. I love hearing your feedback and thoughts. Those are some really good pointers for discounts and making ends meet at these types of conferences. I like the idea to webcam some of the panel so writers who don't attend can view them and I especially like not registering for the conference! Next year! :)Olga Garcia Echeverriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16630876968641044138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-25096139200105780592013-03-07T16:51:04.045-07:002013-03-07T16:51:04.045-07:00A great working class poet many working class peop...A great working class poet many working class people don't know about is Joseph Kalar:<br /><br />http://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/catalog/66hxb7zm9780252029493.htmlTaking It To The Streetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11438922800831387918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-68214089691126895842013-03-03T21:50:48.520-07:002013-03-03T21:50:48.520-07:00Thanks for this post. As someone who was a poor, s...Thanks for this post. As someone who was a poor, single mom for years, I have found ways to do AWP. My husband works for an airline, on the runway, so I fly standby (free), but I tend to take 10-14 hours or more to arrive at AWP. Also, I only book hotels that don't charge until I arrive- which tend to be guest houses. I map-google convention centers and try to find guest houses, inns, or budget hotels within .2 miles, which is always possible. I also always stay somewhere that serves free breakfast. And I never take taxis from airports- buses and trains will always take you to the hotel for about $2. Last, and I don't feel guilty about this one bit- I *never* register for the conference, and no one ever checks for tags, unless I go to the bookfair. So, I wait until Saturday to visit the bookfair, because it's open to the public then, and, the best part: they are practically throwing books and journals at you then because they don't want to lug them home. Hope this helps!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-31565121966112257402013-03-03T21:50:03.209-07:002013-03-03T21:50:03.209-07:00Good article and I totally hear you, as a 'sta...Good article and I totally hear you, as a 'starving artist' myself...I live right down the street and I can't afford to go to anything AWP that is not free. However, I'd correct whoever said that Boston is full of "trash" from the melting snow. Just like any other city, the streets aren't spotless, but the snow is pretty much gone right now, and there is definitely not an excess of trash anywhere. Also, Boston is super walk-able; it is easy to get around.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16083142422649915084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-13876630213864655012013-03-03T20:56:05.695-07:002013-03-03T20:56:05.695-07:00Thank you for this post. I've always thought t...Thank you for this post. I've always thought that ths AWP conference is not really for people that are solely writers but for individuals who have an academic institution that can afford to cover the hotel, airfare, registration and food. Now that does not include all writers who teach, but just those whose institution has those resources, and that is not all. The fact is that AWP is exclusive and excludes many writers because of the costs associated with attending the conference. I couldn't agree with you more about reading the schedule and the featured readers and getting in touch with the activity from afar. In fact, I wish AWP would invest money, perhaps partner with POETRY, to livestream some of the panels and/or readings. God knows many of us would watch them!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-43446179230616229672013-03-03T20:19:06.529-07:002013-03-03T20:19:06.529-07:00I completely agree! Last year I got a $500 grant ...I completely agree! Last year I got a $500 grant to attend AWP in, where was it? Chicago. And then I worked the book fair, and I mean every day. AND I also paid for full registration but only had time to sneak out for two panels (luckily one had Eduardo Corral and Patricia Smith). So this year, I booked on Jetblue and got a discount hotel far away from the conference center and decided to do my own "fringe fest" There are PLENTY of offsite readings and events and parties. Plus the book fair is free and open to the public on Saturday. Millicenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02589166262636579383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-61306674504807615862013-03-01T15:05:47.556-07:002013-03-01T15:05:47.556-07:00Thank you for writing this. I am going to AWP this...Thank you for writing this. I am going to AWP this year thanks to some grants, friends, and a decent airfare, but I haven't been other years because of exactly this. It's so good to hear someone addressing class--more than that, even, just finances--which can so often be taboo even among creatives. I love your idea of doing your own mini-conference at home. Good luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-68978917901864319792013-02-26T06:48:00.170-07:002013-02-26T06:48:00.170-07:00Beautiful Olga! Once again, thank you for eloquen...Beautiful Olga! Once again, thank you for eloquently sharing the realities of the working-class writers. You are the best! <br /><br />I opt for Yucca Valley over Boston brain freeze. Onward to the California desert cabin! The writing retreat where winter is spring, silence is gold and the wind songs transform into magical writings. All for under $150.<br /><br />Yes! <br /><br />Yucca Valley, here we come! Definitely beats Boston brain freeze! ;)Maritza Alvareznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-77517940955761504822013-02-25T18:50:12.495-07:002013-02-25T18:50:12.495-07:00Attend AWP Conf. in Boston! Unemployed (like me)?
...Attend AWP Conf. in Boston! Unemployed (like me)?<br /><br />Conferences I attend are usually within walking or driving distance. If it's between March and Oct. and somewhere below the 39th parallel (Denver). Then I can sleep in back of my troca. Otherwise, no conference this year.<br /><br />You don't need a conf. to write--altho it certainly helps promote your book and yourself--you just need lápiz y papel.<br />Suerte,<br />RudyGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-51524991821111058912013-02-25T08:37:27.160-07:002013-02-25T08:37:27.160-07:00I can only echo Amelia's sentiment by thanking...I can only echo Amelia's sentiment by thanking you -- del corazón -- for this singularly important post. (And muchas thanks to those who maintain this site, a vastly important forum for conversations such as this one.) The upbeat/positive tone is a great testament to your strength and optimism. <br /><br />Currently I am unemployed, so attending AWP this year is out of the question. It's frustrating because I have a book coming out this year and wanted to share that with friends and former colleagues I meet up with at these gatherings. (Let's face it, AWP is as much about commerce as it is about writing.) <br /><br />Here's why I'd go so far as suggesting that AWP's pricing us out of the Conference is dangerous: by making it prohibitively expensive, AWP is excluding certain voices and narrowing the conversation. There are so many gifted poets and writers who would make dazzling contributions to the Conference, but the c. $1,000 price tag is too steep. The first time I attended the Conference was in Austin, so I drove (I was living in San Antonio) and stayed at a cheap off-site hotel. I felt like the dorky, invariably broke commuter college student who can't hang out with the resident students and misses out on the cool, post-class conversations. (It's familiar to me b/c that was my undergrad experience.) So even when we're there, we're rendered invisible. My second time at AWP was made possible by a professional-development grant from the institution where I was teaching. <br /><br />If the cost of attending keeps rising, the Conference will be a precinct of the elites; it will become increasingly irrelevant to poets and writers who are part of the working poor. Yes, there are those who will have our interests at heart, but if we're not in the room to speak for ourselves, the conversation is impoverished. <br /><br />Again, thank you for the rich, supportive fodder. Ojalá nos vemos en Seattle. <br /><br />Pablo Miguelhttp://www.brazoscarryme.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-71355331885216266812013-02-24T14:54:28.732-07:002013-02-24T14:54:28.732-07:00Thanks, Cheryl. 2016 AWP Conference is going to be...Thanks, Cheryl. 2016 AWP Conference is going to be in LA. Three years away, but it's something to look forward to. No winter coats & no hotel costs! Olganoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-66093281317228088222013-02-24T14:46:59.432-07:002013-02-24T14:46:59.432-07:00Thank you, Amelia. BTW, I picked Joy Castro from t...Thank you, Amelia. BTW, I picked Joy Castro from the AWP line up and have been reading her essays. I didn't realize you work with her until I read your blog last week! Small mundo & looking forward to blogging about her work. Saludos y blog abrazos. Olganoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-65049146410164921782013-02-24T14:36:54.692-07:002013-02-24T14:36:54.692-07:00Gracias Annonymous. You are not alone in your crea...Gracias Annonymous. You are not alone in your creative "home schooling." Adelante with your writing! Olganoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-26745232561089855762013-02-24T14:31:47.881-07:002013-02-24T14:31:47.881-07:00Gracias, Eloise! Writing this blog was therapeutic...Gracias, Eloise! Writing this blog was therapeutic & empowering. I appreciate hearing/knowing that it resonates con otras escritoras y artistas. Adelante! Olganoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-36482171843789946562013-02-24T14:24:36.829-07:002013-02-24T14:24:36.829-07:00Yes, next year In Seattle! :)Yes, next year In Seattle! :)Olganoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-69780507174746407812013-02-24T11:42:02.005-07:002013-02-24T11:42:02.005-07:00Great post. It bugs me how AWP seems to be in the ...Great post. It bugs me how AWP seems to be in the East at least three years out of four, putting writers from the West at a disadvantage expense-wise. Seattle is great. How about, like, Riverside next year? You know the hotels would be cheap, no winter coats necessary!Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07554329549665664616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-87475170596180566202013-02-24T09:31:23.234-07:002013-02-24T09:31:23.234-07:00Gracias Olga! A most important post on class and ...Gracias Olga! A most important post on class and commitments to writing. Amelia ML Monteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13151516027810247676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-1386175942600608602013-02-24T08:59:36.600-07:002013-02-24T08:59:36.600-07:00Courage to express the simplest truths! Thank you....Courage to express the simplest truths! Thank you. La Bloga has been my own "home schooling" for over a year now because I can't afford these "extras" which really are so vital to all writers regardless of level.<br />Your words will help me "sing" today and write. Always write.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-18473668666673382472013-02-24T07:53:43.884-07:002013-02-24T07:53:43.884-07:00Oh, can I relate! Thank you for your articulate wr...Oh, can I relate! Thank you for your articulate writing. It's so good to read something that reflects one's reality and breaks the feeling of isolation and names that nagging shame of not having enough. You remained upbeat throughout it all and found & even offered great solutions and directions. How empowering! Mil gracias!Eloise de Leonhttp://www.wildrosereiki.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9367921.post-30562824504745908582013-02-24T07:18:49.197-07:002013-02-24T07:18:49.197-07:00next year, in Seattle.
next year, in Seattle.<br />msedanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09527530005391318421noreply@blogger.com