Yesterday, I booked my room for the 2010 AWP Conference in Denver, CO. A fellow writer/friend of mine (and perhaps a few more; the more bodies we stuff into that room, the cheaper it becomes for all of us) have reserved a room at the Crowne Plaza, just .18 miles from the main convention center. But really, I would have been happy with a horror movie motel had one been within walking distance from the conference. But no. Now I must sleep off my drunkenness in luxury.
In preparation, I perused the presenter schedule last night, scanning first for known names (the Brian Evensons, the Stephen Graham Joneses, etc.) and second for panels that seem interesting based on their short descriptions. Why look for names before content? My thinking is that my respect for a particular author will likely be telling of the sort of material they will present. Plus, I can be a bit of a fanboy at times.
At the right, you’ll see a list of the preliminary authors I’m excited to see. This list is a screenshot from a .pdf file that I created. Unfortunately, the AWP site doesn’t have a downloadable .pdf list (that I could find), so let me be the savior my cult claims me to be and save you some trouble. (EDIT: the official site has a .pdf schedule now) Click the link below to download the schedule in .pdf format.
I got my room early, so I’m staying in the main hotel, and got a roommate through the AWP site, who I don’t know at all, and may be a serial killer (I hope not)
I’m in the process of doing the same thing you’re doing, looking at the list. I’m more excited, though, to meet people I know through their writing a bit, and haven’t met in person yet. I figure, seeing Brian Evenson might be cool, but I want to have a beer with Matt Bell. I should put this into a post.
What’s all this talk about free beer?
@Richard – I have a 6th sense about these things.