Poet, teacher, and activist Amy King has an energy and spirit that is unmatched in the poetry community. On Saturday, February 5 at 10:30 a.m., she will be a panelist on S123 – Women’s Caucus with Lois Roma-Deeley, Patricia Smith, Cheryl Dumesnil, Anna George Meek, and Katherine Arnoldi.

1.    Hometown?

I grew up between Stone Mountain, GA and Baltimore, MD. I’m no stranger to Washington D.C.—we were neighbors during my college years; I used to drive down to dance and see shows now and then.

2.    How many AWP conferences have you attended?

I believe I’ve attended four or five now.

3.    Tell me a little about your session. Who should attend?

My session is the Women’s Caucus, organized by Lois Roma-Deeley. I hope attendees don’t fall into the usual trap of assuming a “Women’s Caucus” is for women only. Anyone interested in how these conferences are put together, how they function and change over time—which includes considerations of who the organizers court and how they do so—should come.  

Moreover, this is a first meeting of the women’s caucus, and we have a lot of ground to cover, as outlined below. For that very reason, we welcome participants who will help us shape the debate and understand what we must focus on first.

Description:

Where is the place for the women writers within AWP and within the greater literary community? The women’s caucus discusses this as well as continuing inequities in creative writing publication and literature. In addition, issues centering on cultural obstacles in the form of active oppression, stereotypes, lack of access to literary power structures, historical marginalization of women’s writing, issues and perspectives and the diverse voices of women will be explored.

4.    I know you’re heavily involved with VIDA: Women in the Literary Arts. How is VIDA having an effect on the literary community?

Because we’re still so young, it’s difficult to gauge exactly what impact we’ve had so far.  We’ve certainly been hearing from many, ranging from educators to lay readers to publishers and editors alike; people are voicing concerns aloud now, suspicions easier dismissed in the past, and are anxious to join the discussion. The disparities in the literary world, based on gender alone (only one facet we’ve begun to examine), are no longer something we’ve imagined; they’re publicly recognized now. This recognition is a good point from which the conversation must progress if any changes are to take place.  We no longer have to insist that we “feel” something’s off; we can point to the numbers and interrogate how the literary landscape has come to reflect what many feel are unintentional-yet-problematic biases.

Conversations are also picking up steam in more major media outlets as well as in smaller online venues, editorial offices and, soon enough, this AWP conference. Publishers are sitting up and noticing their own historical publishing practices. It’s my hope that educators will also think about how they came to choose the texts they teach and try to broaden their curriculum palettes, so to speak.

5.    What do you enjoy most about attending the conference?

I love meeting people I’ve only known online. I enjoy catching up with others, and the poet-me likes to hit some of the more tasty panels and readings.  The energy is palpable when you find that really good panel / presentation and makes the trip memorable.

I find the book fair problematic for the obvious reasons—it’s like passing through a really tasty restaurant; you can only consume so much and your doggy bag can’t hold more than you can afford. So I pass through, loving and hating the feast that’s offered. Like it or not, the book fair forces one to become quite selective with one’s wallet and suitcase.

6.    Last, but not least, what’s the question I should have asked you?

Where am I reading! Unfortunately, I’ll be missing the reading with my new publisher, Litmus Press. I was originally going to be there but am unable. Sorry, Litmus! But I will be reading on Saturday afternoon for Poets for Living Waters—

Gulf Tolls – A Poetry Reading in Tribute to the Gulf of Mexico and Surrounding Regions

5-7 pm, Busboys & Poets 14th and V Streets NW. $5 suggested donation. None turned away.

Split This Rock and Poets for Living Waters are partnering to offer a poetry tribute to the Gulf of Mexico and the surrounding regions. Readers will include: Naomi Ayala, Ana Bozicevic, Nicole Cooley, Peter Cooley, Amy King, Brenda Hillman, Katherine Howell, Brenda Iijima, Jan Heller Levi, Gregory Pardlo, Lisa Pegram, Martha Serpas, Kevin Simmonds, Sandra Simmonds, Jonathan Skinner, Patricia Smith, Heidi Lynn Staples, Melissa Tuckey, Anne Waldman, and more. Please join us for a night of provocation and witness.

Amy King is the author of four collections of poetry: Slaves to Do These Things, I’m the Man Who Loves You, and Antidotes for an Alibi (a Lambda Book Award finalist), all from Blazevox Books, and the forthcoming I Want to Make You Safe (Litmus Press). King moderates the Poetics List (SUNY-Buffalo/University of Pennsylvania), the Women’s Poetry Listserv (WOMPO) and the Goodreads Poetry! Group. She also teaches English and Creative Writing at SUNY Nassau Community College and is currently preparing a book of interviews with the poet, Ron Padgett. King co-edits Poets for Living Waters with Heidi Lynn Staples and Esque Magazine with Ana Bozicevic.