Comments for Documenting AWP

Comment on Panel Recap – F164. The Future of Book Publishing: How Authors Should Navigate the New Market. by Todd B. Stevens

Todd B. Stevens — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 06:27:19 +0000

Nice summary, Caleb. You took the meat out of the panel, I think. This was another that I couldn’t get to, though I think this may have been one I abandoned for Cowboy poetry ’cause I’d had enough.

I think there is a point at AWP where we give up the meta, and just want to hear something pretty.

I’m thinking of putting up a panel next year in Washington, on how MFA students, others, can self-promote through blogs etc… any interest from our blog contributers?

BTW I’ve talked to some strangely different people that are talking about this blog. I think we all were handing out the url.

Comment on Post-Conference non-wrap up by Ann

Ann — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 12:51:34 +0000

Hello,
Thought this might add to your AWP discussion. Read these great posts by author Gina Barreca, an AWP attendee and speaker:

http://bit.ly/dxNNKL (Part I)
http://bit.ly/bqn7Yj (Part II)

Comment on Panel summary: What’s Your Platform? What Agents & Editors Are Looking For in Writers by 37–Updates & Writing Tips on the Journey « Cheri Laser's Blog

37–Updates & Writing Tips on the Journey « Cheri Laser's Blog — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:19:19 +0000

[...] http://www.calebjross.com/awpblog/2010/04/08/320/ At the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) Annual Convention earlier this week, a panel of agents and editors answered questions about the importance of an author platform. This link takes you to a summary of that panel. [...]

Comment on (Introduction) Panel Recap – F219 A Rattle Reading: Cowboy & Western Poetry by Todd B. Stevens

Todd B. Stevens — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:16:25 +0000

Well, as far as I know, it is a frequent panel, though this was my first AWP I’m fairly sure they are having a similar one in Washington, and last I remember, few cows there! Only donkeys and elephants…

I believe there were two panels actually, this one was the people that contributed to Rattle’s cowboy poetry issue. If you are interested in the genre you might check out http://www.rattle.com/current.htm Rattle does some gret genre issues, and hearing the panel, picked some fantastic poets.

Cheers!

Todd B. Stevens

Comment on Three Questions with Jill Essbaum by So that’s AWP « Lauren Cummings

So that’s AWP « Lauren Cummings — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 03:38:09 +0000

[...] she answered Stephen Dau (a Bennington student and friend of Tod’s-we’re into nepotism) here while at AWP. Yes she only answered three questions the entire trip. She also had the best [...]

Comment on Panel summary: What’s Your Platform? What Agents & Editors Are Looking For in Writers by Caleb J Ross

Caleb J Ross — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:26:05 +0000

Thank you so much, Jane! Your three reasons are exactly the types of things I wasn’t considering.

I suppose as long as book-buying still takes place on the physical shelves, #1 is still important. As bookshelves dwindle (very sad, I feel), #1 may be a less important factor. #2, I completely agree, though I’ve never thought of it in the way you state it. Time and resources equates trust and validation in most things, so why not with publishing? Good point. Thank you. And #3, of course. I’ve read plenty of self-published books that could have used a thorough editing.

Comment on (Introduction) Panel Recap – F219 A Rattle Reading: Cowboy & Western Poetry by Tamara

Tamara — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:35:33 +0000

As a writer in the “West,” I couldn’t help but wonder if cowboy poetry is featured at other AWP conferences, or just this one in Denver. Was it a full house? Did people in attendance seem to be from a wide background? I’m glad there are cowboy poets and glad that AWP included them My own cowboy (or, rather, cowgirl) moment is remembering my dad telling my sisters and I to run across the lawn so he could practice his roping skills on us He was a team-roper sometimes.

Comment on The Short of It by Tamara

Tamara — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:55:31 +0000

Thanks for sharing some of what you learned I, too, was a AWP and have learned soooo much, but I’m also aware of how much I missed. I hope to see more of your experiences, so that I can also add to my own (vicariously).

Comment on Panel summary: What’s Your Platform? What Agents & Editors Are Looking For in Writers by Jane Friedman

Jane Friedman — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:49:36 +0000

Thanks for the recap of our session – I wish more writers were blogging/Tweeting information from AWP.

You say you’re left with the question:
What is the point of a traditional publisher if authors must market/promote? Why not self-publish?

There are 3 reasons:
1. Traditional publishers still hold immense authority and power when it comes to physical/bookstore distribution.
2. Traditional publishers still serve as tastemakers, validators, and authorities. When they publish something, they take a significant financial risk, so the market perceives that as, “Hey, this must be worthwhile work if THEY took a chance on it.” We can of course debate how this is changing.
3. Traditional publishers are still valuable for authors who need/want/deserve thorough and valuable editing. And I’m not just talking proofreading. Real editing. It still does happen.

You can find more in-depth advice here:
http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules/2009/10/06/TheSecretsToPublishingSuccessJanes2009ToughLoveGuide.aspx

Comment on Panel summary: What’s Your Platform? What Agents & Editors Are Looking For in Writers by Caleb J Ross

Caleb J Ross — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:19:03 +0000

Thank you so much for stopping by, Robin. I really enjoyed the panel, despite what my post may partially imply. I learned a great deal from each of the panelists. I’ll definitely be buying Cristina Katz’s book.