I've been walking around in a funk/pout/sulk all week because the AWP Writer's Conference was in Seattle and I wouldn't be going, all economic things considered. I mean, a serious sulk — I could hardly stand to be with me. I mean, what am I, a two year old? (Well, um.....)
Anyway.
I did go to the AWP Bookfair today, open to the public FOR FREE. Damn it was good. I milled around amidst thousands of people who, like me, treasure the almighty written word above almost everything else. It was like a club meeting of the one club where I'd be a member, except I'd got there at the very end of the meeting, but it was okay because everyone was in high spirits and there was table after table (800+ tables) of letter-press books and poetry mags and just plain people who love the whole shebang as much as I do.
Glory be.
Apart from feeling like I'd missed most of the show, I'm so very glad I went. Saw lots of people I know, made a bunch of new connections, and just plain was in awe of some of the work I saw: hand-crafted books with amazing art and, well, some damn fine writing.
Good stuff on a Seattle grey day.
That's much how I feel when I'm in the woods, totally alone (with my dogs).
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to go and meet you! Next time --
ReplyDeletei missed it last year in Boston, T., and felt really badly that i didnt get my act together to head down to MA for the free day. so glad that you were able to get inside the hallowed halls just to soak up all that wordy goodness.
ReplyDeleteYou would have loved it, Susan!
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