Last week, the Atticus staff headed to AWP, an annual conference for writers held each year in a different U.S. city. The thing about AWP is how overwhelming it can be for the unprepared: 10,000 writers, teachers of writing, editors, and book lovers flood a hotel (or two or three) for three days of panel discussions, readings, drinking, and an enormous book fair. Sometimes I question the intelligence of forcing so many introverts together in an intense exchange, but we all recover sufficiently enough to return the next year. Below are photos from this year’s event.
Our book fair neighborhood, featuring our table at the center. (photo: John Minichillo)
Our AWP swag was in high demand: matchboxes featuring our book covers. (photo: Matt Mullins)
Readers can literally get lit with matchboxes featuring our novels "Kino" by Jurgen Fauth and "The Snow Whale" by John Minichillo. (photo: John Minichillo)
Matt Mullins, author of the short story collection "Three Ways of the Saw," signs a copy for a fan. (photo: Lacey N. Dunham)
Steve Himmer, author of "The Bee-Loud Glade," reads a selection from his Atticus short, "The Second Most Dangerous Job in America." (photo: Lacey N. Dunham)
Atticus Review editor-in-chief Katrina Gray reads a short story that is, despite her hand gesture, not about opera. (photo: Lacey N. Dunham)
John Minichillo, author of "The Snow Whale," reads from a short story about the son of Stephen King writing a novel called "The Shining." (photo: Lacey N. Dunham)
Our first signed writer for 2013, the 27-year-old Colin Winnette, reads a section from his forthcoming novella "Gainsville." One audience member tweeted that she imagines he "smells like dryer sheets" and another added, "I will never see possums the same way again." (photo: Lacey N. Dunham)
The swanky Grand Ballroom in Palmer House, where John Minichillo joined other University of Southern Mississippi alumni for a reading with Mary Miller. (photo: John Minichillo)
Later, John Minichillo, who grew up 90 miles from Chicago, visited Ms. Herczeg, his second grade teacher, and recipient of the first poem that he published in the Purdue University school newspaper. (photo: Katrina Gray)
Back at the book fair, Atticus Review editor-in-chief Katrina Gray and Atticus Books publisher Dan Cafaro chat with writers who drop by our table. (photo: John Minichillo)
Katrina Gray, editor-in-chief of Atticus Review, holds court at the Atticus Books table. (photo: John Minichillo)
UPDATE 3/9/2012:
Also appearing at the Atticus Books Literary High Jinx reading (but not captured on film), were Atticus Review poetry editor Michael Meyerhofer, reading from his poem “How Thirteen Famous Men Performed Cunnilingus,” and Jared Yates Sexton, who read a bawdy excerpt from his forthcoming story collection An End to All Things. The pair kicked off the night with laughs, and set a high bar for the readers who followed.
Thanks to everyone who dropped by our table, said hello, and snagged a matchbox! We loved chatting with all of you, meeting new readers and reacquainting with old ones. We’ll see you all next year in Boston!
Was great to meet you, Lacey.
Crying shame you live so far away.
Nice meeting you, too, John!
My lasting impression: Steve Himmer is a tall, tall man. Good thing he liked my comic adaptation of his novel, or I’d have been scared!
–NH
It’s true. Steve Himmer is 8 and 1/2 feet tall.
Nice meeting you both, Dan and Katrina. The readings at Brando’s were excellent. Himmer. Minichillo. Winnette. All a lot of fun. Wish there was more time to chat and mingle… Hope to catch you all again soon.
Scott Miles
Sounds like everyone had a great time. So happy and I love those matchboxes
The matchboxes were awesome! Maybe we’ll see you next year at AWP 2013 in Boston?