For the first time EVER, I am going to be attending the Associated Writing Programs Conference this year. I’ve always wanted to go, but never could. This year, it’s being held in Minneapolis, and I get to be there! I know it will be quite overwhelming and I won’t get to do a tenth of the things I want to do, but I am still very excited. It’s the largest gathering of writers in the country (I’m fairly sure) with around 14000 attendees. There are over 2000 presenters, and–here’s the really cool part–I am one of them! I will be a member of a panel discussion on teaching creative writing online, called Byte by Byte: Teaching Creative Writing Online on Saturday, April 11 at 3 pm. Click on the title to get to the full description, location, etc. I’m joined on the panel by distinguished poets and teachers Cass Dalglish (organizer and moderator for the event), Kathryn Kysar, Athena Kildegaard, and Wendy Call.
And that’s not all! At some point in the conference, I’ll be spending some time volunteering at the conference tables of The Loft Literary Center and the Sierra Nevada College MFA Program.
Plus, there’s the Prince Purple Party at the Record Room, and who knows what else. There are so many things to attend, I’ll just wander into conference rooms, knowing that whatever is going on there will be stellar.
It’s going to be a whirlwind–most of my writing buddies in the same place at the same time! My head spins just thinking about it. Let me know if you will be there–yes, YOU–and we will be sure to touch base.
LouAnn Shepard Muhm 