Conference & Bookfair March 7–10, 2018 Attendee Guide COURTESY OF WASHINGTON.ORG North America’s Largest Literary PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN Conference Tampa Convention Center & Tampa Marriott Waterside PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN awpwriter.org #AWP18 PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN #AWP18 Coming Soon! The AWP Conference & Bookfair is an essential annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Each year more than 12,000 attendees join our community for four days of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access to the organizations and opinion-makers that matter most in contemporary literature. PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN Why Choose #AWP18? • Choose from over 550 literary readings, panel discussions, and bookfair stage events focusing on fiction, nonfiction, poetry and prose, social and regional issues, craft, teaching, “I was thrilled to moderate publishing, marketing, and so much more. an insightful, diverse, • Access to the largest literary marketplace in North America. thoughtful, serious, funny, The AWP bookfair features over 800 small presses; literary amazing event on the magazines; e-journals; trade publishers; writers’ centers; enduring legacy of retreats; residencies; and writing programs from universities William S. Burroughs. This around the world. event could have only • Hear readings, discussions, and attend book signings from come together at AWP.” your favorite writers, reviewers, publishers, and peers. Some of —Ira Silverberg, Strategic our most recent featured presenters have included Sherman Advisor, Open Road Alexie, Louise Erdrich, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Jennifer Integrated Media, and Egan, Ann Patchett, Juan Felipe Herrera, Viet Than Nguyen, Former Literature Director Joyce Carol Oates, Annie Proulx, Claudia Rankine, Karen of the National Endowment Russell, Amy Tan, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Jeannette Winterson, Tobias for the Arts Wolff, and hundreds more. • Network, collaborate, and have fun with your peers at hundreds of parties, receptions, and offsite events to really personalize your experience. Who Attends the Conference? The AWP Conference & Bookfair welcomes writers and literary devotees from all walks of life. Our attendees include thousands of writers, editors, publishers, graduate students, agents, arts administrators, and teachers who are passionate about literature. When Is the Conference? On Wednesday, March 7, 2018, registration will PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN be open from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m., but official conference events begin 9:00 a.m. Thursday, March 8, 2018 and continue until Saturday, March 10, at 12 midnight. How Do I Register? Conference registration opens Tuesday, August 1, 2017 and the lowest early bird rates are available until Thursday, October 12, 2017. Special packages and rates are available for AWP members, students, seniors, and presenters. For the full pricing list, check out the AWP Registration page. Where Can I Stay? PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN Hotel reservations open on August 14, 2017. The official conference hotel is the Tampa Marriott Waterside, and overflow hotels will be available. Rooms are limited. Reserve early to avoid inconvenience. Please refer to the Hotel and Travel page for the most up-to- date information. Who Exhibits at the Who Is Presenting? Bookfair? The keynote speaker is George Saunders and the official conference schedule will be available online Over 800 exhibitors in the bookfair represent many of mid-October, 2017. the most respected, up-and-coming, and well-known publishers, journals, and literary institutions in the To view the most up-to-date list of featured presenters, country. Check out the bookfair page on our website visit the Featured Presenters page on our website. A for an up-to-date list of exhibitors. Visit the bookfair complete list of conference events and presenters to browse titles, find new magazines, go to author can be found on the 2018 Conference Schedule on signings, talk with your favorite presses, and connect the AWP website. with friends and colleagues. “The AWP conference’s audience of thousands of passionate readers, writers, and teachers has been the perfect forum to showcase the National Book Critics Circle award winners and finalists. Over the past five years, I’ve hosted numerous events featuring some of contemporary literature’s best authors, and it’s hard to beat the scope of the conference year after year.” —Jane Ciabattari, Vice President/Online, National Book Critics Circle Where Can I Eat? Attendees are welcome to take breaks at their leisure, and concessions will be available in the bookfair. Attendees may also enjoy the many restaurants and bars close to the convention center, including Jackson’s Bistro, Bar & Sushi, The Columbia Restaurant or the Columbia Café, Hattricks Tavern, Oxford Exchange, Mise En Place, Anise Global Gastrobar, Eddie and Sam Pizza, First Watch Downtown, and Taco Bus – Downtown Tampa. The Cultural Scene in Tampa During #AWP18, explore Tampa’s rich history, vibrant culture, and its extensive array of restaurants. Tampa offers everything from well-known amusements like Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to charming local businesses and independent bookstores. No trip to Tampa is complete without a stroll down the Tampa Bay Riverwalk, a two-and-a-half mile walk that takes guests along the Hillsborough River by many of Tampa’s must-see sites, from the Channel District to Downtown Tampa. Starting from the Florida Aquarium, the Riveralk will take you past Amalie Arena, home of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. Along the way is the Tampa History Center, featuring exhibits like Florida’s First People or Cigar City, the story of Tampa as one of the largest cigar manufacturers in the 20th century. Then, grab the famous Cubano sandwich at the Columbia Café and head to the Straz Performing Arts Center for a live musical performance. At the end of the Riverwalk is Ulele, a restaurant with a Native American-inspired menu that was built inside the historic Tampa Heights Water Works Building. Off of the beaten path, Tampa also has an amazing assortment of local business and is home to some great independent bookstores. Inkwood Books in the SoHo neighborhood and Old Tampa Book Company downtown are two of them, offering rare, used, and out-of-print books in laid-back and cozy settings. Best Books Rich Treasures is a veteran- and woman-owned family bookstore in Ybor City that caters to both military and civilian customers with its collection of new, used, and rare books. Just south of the University of Tampa in the SoHo/Hyde Park neighborhood is The Oxford Exchange, which offers new release books and has an attached café, home décor gift shop, andWarby Parker. What Are My Travel Options in Tampa? Transportation options in the Tampa area include Tampa International PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN Airport, Amtrak, and Megabus. Transportation around town includes the Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc. (TECO) with lines running between downtown Tampa, Channelside, and Ybor City. Hillsborough Area Regional Transport operates bus and van services throughout the city, including HART MetroRapid, a high-frequency, limited service bus route, and HART Flex van, a door-to-door transport system with $1 fare for adults, seniors, and persons with disabilities. The Coast Bike Share is also an available means of getting around. For details, please visit our Hotel and Travel page. PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN Timeline First Timer Tips August 1, 2017: Early bird registration opens • Register and book your hotel early for optimal pricing and August 14, 2017: Hotel reservations open location. Mid-October: Official conference schedule goes live • Arrive in Tampa, FL on Wednesday, March 7 to pick October 12, 2017: Deadline for early bird registration rates up your conference badge and materials. Expect longer March 7, 2018: #AWP18 begins lines on Thursday morning, Stay connected to the AWP Conference & Bookfair through March 8. Facebook and Twitter (#AWP18). Visit the Conference page on the • Download the conference website for the most up-to-date information. mobile app, so you can plan your days and stay up-to- date with any changes. • Wear comfortable shoes Who Is AWP? and stay hydrated while Founded in 1967 by fifteen writers representing thirteen creative writing walking around. programs, today AWP provides support, advocacy, resources, and community to nearly 50,000 writers, 540 college and university creative writing programs, and over 125 writers’ conferences and centers. Our mission is to foster literary achievement, advance the art of writing as essential to a good education, and serve the makers, teachers, students, and readers of contemporary writing. For more information on our history, goals for the future, and what resources are available to you check out our About section on the website. Where Is the Next Conference? Each year, AWP holds its annual Conference & Bookfair in a different region of the country. Future locations include Portland (2019), and San Antonio (2020). If you have any additional questions, simply read our conference FAQs. PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN “The AWP conference is the greatest gathering of writers, publishers, and magazine editors in the United States. The conference allows writers to break out of their isolation and come together every year to discuss their craft and celebrate their art. Our profession would be a great deal poorer without it.” —Pablo Medina, Graduate Program Director, Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing, Emerson College, and the author of Cubop City Blues.