I'm considering AWP next year in Baltimore, where I went to college! I'm also a frightened introvert who is scared of the scale...but knowing the city well would help me.
Also, Caitlin this is only my opinion, but it was my first AWP and I read a lot of advice about going before, etc and it was still…a lot. Last summer I went to a conference offered my state writers’ league (Writers League Texas). That one had maybe 300-400 people, which was small enough that I left feeling like I knew 10-12 people’s projects quite well (2 ppl I met there are now in a writing group with me). AWP is so massive that I only saw ppl I knew (or mostly, was meeting IRL for the first time) when I made an appointment to meet them. If there a medium-sized conference in your genre or region, it might also be worth considering. (I also went to that James River Writers conference in VA tagging along with a friend a few years ago. It was also manageable and inspiring.) Oh! Last thing. I signed up to volunteer at AWP. I did it bc I didn’t realize I’d know other people going when I signed up and wanted to make sure I talked to SOMEONE. I had fun chatting w that other people and…two writers I admire came through my line to get their name badges! I will sign up for this again whenever it’s offered.
This was great, and thanks for including the PDF. Looks like the only way to make good income is to be a beast like the amazing Jane. She deserves every single penny, that's for sure.
On this topic - Jane Friedman being a generous and helpful person to writers - I bought her recently-released 2nd edition of The Business of Being a Writer at AWP. It’s SO GOOD. I thought I’d skim it bc I have the first edition and I read her site. Nope! It’s really compelling and had me turning pages, slipping it into my bag to read at swim practice, etc. It made me feel better about being a writer, and normalizes the idea of doing a lot of things as a writer. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
The hotel breakfast should be industry standard. My dad refuses to stay any place without one. It's never the best but the convenience can't be beaten. It's so annoying when I end up in a place without one.
I feel this. When I finally get a break, I so often want something mind-numbing. Then I feel guilty about it. But I’ve come to recognize it’s it’s own form of recharging!
Thanks for sharing the link to the session about writer income! That PDF is gold. I love that kind of transparency b/c it so helpful for writers to know what's realistic. Writing & selling a book is not a good to make money -- unless you also roll that book/info/skill into other related offerings.
Agreed! And I think they are actually selling more books/making more money on books than a lot of authors are. It was also really helpful for me to see what their other income streams look like and how they varied for the different panelists.
Anything other than LAX is preferred. Burbank is awesome with two caveats... Food options are quite minimal so if you like to get to grab a bite after passing through TSA, well, prepare to be underwhelmed. Second, the car rental is the maximum distance to be on site. One time, I was stuck in traffic and I had to run and run and run to get from rental return to the terminal. Since I was at Hertz, I had visions of OJ (before the double murder) hurdling over suitcases in order to get to my gate. And when I sat down with a loosened tie, sweat pouring over my face and a slight cough (it is still LA), I got dirty looks. But I had made it barely.
This is the insider info I needed, as this time around I was just doing taxi/Uber, but in the future may rent a car on a trip. I was curious how the car rental experience is (my last car-rental experience at LAX wins the award for one of the worst).
I have a gold club membership so it’s a grab and go. I bit the bullet on the membership after standing in the LAX line of death. Burbank’s counter is a lot easier for sure.
Overall, just factor in the walking time and it’s pleasant.
Burbank airport is indeed the best, but part of me wanted to say, "Shhh..." because it's been like a hidden gem here in the Valley. When they rebranded it from Burbank Bob Hope Airport to Hollywood Burbank Airport, however, I knew our little secret would get out!
Fun fact: It was Amelia Earhart's home airfield. There is a statue of her in the terminal before security.
Love this! I'm going to my favorite conference in May and you're totally right about the best part being talking to other writers. And now I'm going to be keeping my eyes peeled for good grafitti...
I've never been to a writer's conference, so I enjoyed this living vicariously through this highlight list! I couldn't agree more re: hotel breakfasts. When I'm traveling with my kids, it significantly offsets the cost of the room, especially when I turn loose my 6-feet-tall-at-age-13 son. ;-)
Yes! And when my kids were younger and more selective eaters it was really nice that they had a lot of options so they could always find something (that I didn’t cook!).
Nate Bargatze has a very funny bit about the waffle machine at a hotel breakfast buffet. I did NOT get a hotel w breakfast included but the barista at my hotel started an email list for everyone staying there who was attending AWP. It was really sweet.
I love the "Writer in Residence" and, yes, that buffet breakfast makes all the difference! Thank you for sharing these takeaways! I hope to make it to that conference one day!
"Writer in residence" is a worthy one. ;)
Did not get a ton of writing done so will need to plan for another writer in residence stint :)
I'm considering AWP next year in Baltimore, where I went to college! I'm also a frightened introvert who is scared of the scale...but knowing the city well would help me.
Also, Caitlin this is only my opinion, but it was my first AWP and I read a lot of advice about going before, etc and it was still…a lot. Last summer I went to a conference offered my state writers’ league (Writers League Texas). That one had maybe 300-400 people, which was small enough that I left feeling like I knew 10-12 people’s projects quite well (2 ppl I met there are now in a writing group with me). AWP is so massive that I only saw ppl I knew (or mostly, was meeting IRL for the first time) when I made an appointment to meet them. If there a medium-sized conference in your genre or region, it might also be worth considering. (I also went to that James River Writers conference in VA tagging along with a friend a few years ago. It was also manageable and inspiring.) Oh! Last thing. I signed up to volunteer at AWP. I did it bc I didn’t realize I’d know other people going when I signed up and wanted to make sure I talked to SOMEONE. I had fun chatting w that other people and…two writers I admire came through my line to get their name badges! I will sign up for this again whenever it’s offered.
this is great advice, thanks so much!
Oh, nice! Yes I think it helps me when I know the city more and also I just try to take breaks and not feel bad about skipping some things.
This was great, and thanks for including the PDF. Looks like the only way to make good income is to be a beast like the amazing Jane. She deserves every single penny, that's for sure.
Agreed -- she works really hard and puts out a lot of great information (much of which is free).
Yes, she has to be the best example of literary citizenship I've ever seen. And such nice human, too!
On this topic - Jane Friedman being a generous and helpful person to writers - I bought her recently-released 2nd edition of The Business of Being a Writer at AWP. It’s SO GOOD. I thought I’d skim it bc I have the first edition and I read her site. Nope! It’s really compelling and had me turning pages, slipping it into my bag to read at swim practice, etc. It made me feel better about being a writer, and normalizes the idea of doing a lot of things as a writer. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
That is good to know! I read the first edition a few years ago and liked it too.
The hotel breakfast should be industry standard. My dad refuses to stay any place without one. It's never the best but the convenience can't be beaten. It's so annoying when I end up in a place without one.
Agreed. I think I am quickly approaching your dad’s stance.
John Wayne/Santa Ana Airport in Irvine is fabulous. It's LA-adjacent and a breeze to use.
I was curious about that one, so I appreciate this tip!
Thanks for including the pdf link.
Of course.
I feel this. When I finally get a break, I so often want something mind-numbing. Then I feel guilty about it. But I’ve come to recognize it’s it’s own form of recharging!
Yes, I think I just need a recharge sometimes too, so I'm working on letting go of the guilt!
I'm a big fan of the Palm Springs airport. Most of it is outdoors and there is even an outdoor playground.
This is good to know as we were recently pondering trying to go to Palm Springs this fall or winter :)
Thanks for sharing the link to the session about writer income! That PDF is gold. I love that kind of transparency b/c it so helpful for writers to know what's realistic. Writing & selling a book is not a good to make money -- unless you also roll that book/info/skill into other related offerings.
Agreed! And I think they are actually selling more books/making more money on books than a lot of authors are. It was also really helpful for me to see what their other income streams look like and how they varied for the different panelists.
Anything other than LAX is preferred. Burbank is awesome with two caveats... Food options are quite minimal so if you like to get to grab a bite after passing through TSA, well, prepare to be underwhelmed. Second, the car rental is the maximum distance to be on site. One time, I was stuck in traffic and I had to run and run and run to get from rental return to the terminal. Since I was at Hertz, I had visions of OJ (before the double murder) hurdling over suitcases in order to get to my gate. And when I sat down with a loosened tie, sweat pouring over my face and a slight cough (it is still LA), I got dirty looks. But I had made it barely.
I need to attend an AWP sometime.
Thanks for your Substack!
This is the insider info I needed, as this time around I was just doing taxi/Uber, but in the future may rent a car on a trip. I was curious how the car rental experience is (my last car-rental experience at LAX wins the award for one of the worst).
I have a gold club membership so it’s a grab and go. I bit the bullet on the membership after standing in the LAX line of death. Burbank’s counter is a lot easier for sure.
Overall, just factor in the walking time and it’s pleasant.
Burbank airport is indeed the best, but part of me wanted to say, "Shhh..." because it's been like a hidden gem here in the Valley. When they rebranded it from Burbank Bob Hope Airport to Hollywood Burbank Airport, however, I knew our little secret would get out!
Fun fact: It was Amelia Earhart's home airfield. There is a statue of her in the terminal before security.
Oh that is a great fact and I get trying to keep it a little quiet :)
Love this! I'm going to my favorite conference in May and you're totally right about the best part being talking to other writers. And now I'm going to be keeping my eyes peeled for good grafitti...
Yes look out for graffiti :) what conference is it?
It's Storymakers in Utah! It's always a blast.
❤️
Thanks, Julie, for sharing, especially the income info. Always an eye-opener.
Of course and those income numbers were really eye opening for me too.
I've never been to a writer's conference, so I enjoyed this living vicariously through this highlight list! I couldn't agree more re: hotel breakfasts. When I'm traveling with my kids, it significantly offsets the cost of the room, especially when I turn loose my 6-feet-tall-at-age-13 son. ;-)
Yes! And when my kids were younger and more selective eaters it was really nice that they had a lot of options so they could always find something (that I didn’t cook!).
Nate Bargatze has a very funny bit about the waffle machine at a hotel breakfast buffet. I did NOT get a hotel w breakfast included but the barista at my hotel started an email list for everyone staying there who was attending AWP. It was really sweet.
Oh that is sweet!
Dang that app idea is going viral. You’ve arrived.
I know, do you hear that Shark Tank?
I love the "Writer in Residence" and, yes, that buffet breakfast makes all the difference! Thank you for sharing these takeaways! I hope to make it to that conference one day!
I hope to see you at a future one!