COURTESY OF WASHINGTON.ORG

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

awpwriter.org #AWP18

Tampa Convention Center & Tampa Marriott Waterside

Attendee Guide

Conference & BookfairMarch 7–10, 2018

North America’s Largest Literary Conference

#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.

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, publishing, marketing, and so much more.

• Access to the largest literary marketplace in North America. The AWP bookfair features over 800 small presses; literary magazines; e-journals; trade publishers; writers’ centers; retreats; residencies; and writing programs from universities around the world.

• Hear readings, discussions, and attend book signings from your favorite writers, reviewers, publishers, and peers. Some of our most recent featured presenters have included Sherman Alexie, Louise Erdrich, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Jennifer Egan, Ann Patchett, Juan Felipe Herrera, Viet Than Nguyen, Joyce Carol Oates, Annie Proulx, Claudia Rankine, Karen Russell, Amy Tan, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Jeannette Winterson, Tobias 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.

“I was thrilled to moderate an insightful, diverse, thoughtful, serious, funny, amazing event on the enduring legacy of William S. Burroughs. This event could have only come together at AWP.”

—Ira Silverberg, Strategic Advisor, Open Road Integrated Media, and Former Literature Director of the National Endowment for the Arts

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

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 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?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 Is Presenting?The keynote speaker is George Saunders and the official conference schedule will be available online mid-October, 2017.

To view the most up-to-date list of featured presenters, visit the Featured Presenters page on our website. A complete list of conference events and presenters can be found on the 2018 Conference Schedule on the AWP website.

Who Exhibits at the Bookfair?Over 800 exhibitors in the bookfair represent many of the most respected, up-and-coming, and well-known publishers, journals, and literary institutions in the country. Check out the bookfair page on our website for an up-to-date list of exhibitors. Visit the bookfair to browse titles, find new magazines, go to author signings, talk with your favorite presses, and connect 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

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

https://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/registration_overviewhttps://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/hotel_travel_overviewhttps://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/schedule_overviewhttps://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/bookfair_overviewhttps://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/presenters_featured_presenters_overview

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 TampaDuring #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, and Warby Parker.

What Are My Travel Options in Tampa?Transportation options in the Tampa area include Tampa International 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

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

http://jacksonsbistro.comhttp://jacksonsbistro.comhttp://www.columbiarestaurant.comhttp://www.columbiarestaurant.com/Menus-By-Location/Locations/Tampa-Bay-History-Centerhttp://hattrickstavern.comhttps://oxfordexchange.comhttp://www.miseonline.comhttps://www.aniseglobal.comhttp://www.eddieandsamspizza.comhttp://www.eddieandsamspizza.comhttps://www.firstwatch.com/menu/seasonal-menu/http://taco-bus.com/location/downtown-tpa/https://seaworldparks.com/buschgardens-tampa/?&gclid=CKXB_b-GmNQCFYiLswod4LYDcQ&dclid=CMae_7-GmNQCFdgFDAod_QoDDghttp://www.thetampariverwalk.comhttp://www.thetampariverwalk.comhttp://www.flaquarium.orghttp://www.amaliearena.comhttp://tampabayhistorycenter.orghttp://tampabayhistorycenter.orghttp://www.columbiarestaurant.com/Menus-By-Location/Locations/Tampa-Bay-History-Centerhttp://www.strazcenter.orghttp://www.ulele.comhttp://www.inkwoodbooks.comhttp://www.inkwoodbooks.comhttp://oldtampabookcompany.comhttp://bestbooksrichtreasures.comhttps://oxfordexchange.comhttps://www.warbyparker.com/retail/tampa/oxford-exchangehttp://www.tampaairport.comhttp://www.tampaairport.comwww.amtrak.comus.megabus.comhttp://www.tecolinestreetcar.orghttp://coastbikeshare.comhttps://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/hotel_travel_overview

First Timer Tips• Register and book your hotel

early for optimal pricing and location.

• Arrive in Tampa, FL on Wednesday, March 7 to pick up your conference badge and materials. Expect longer lines on Thursday morning, March 8.

• Download the conference mobile app, so you can plan your days and stay up-to-date with any changes.

• Wear comfortable shoes and stay hydrated while walking around.

Timeline August 1, 2017: Early bird registration opens

August 14, 2017: Hotel reservations open

Mid-October: Official conference schedule goes live

October 12, 2017: Deadline for early bird registration rates

March 7, 2018: #AWP18 begins

Stay connected to the AWP Conference & Bookfair through Facebook and Twitter (#AWP18). Visit the Conference page on the website for the most up-to-date information.

Who Is AWP?Founded in 1967 by fifteen writers representing thirteen creative writing 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.

“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

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

https://www.awpwriter.org/about/overviewhttps://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/faqshttps://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/overviewhttps://twitter.com/search?q=%23awp18&lang=enhttps://www.facebook.com/events/1285547138232996/