Finding Writerly Mamas in Maryland

I just returned from AWP in Baltimore where I met writers, editors, and publishers from all over the country. I connected with writers featured in Literary Mama, including one fiction writer who published with LM way back in 2005. It was amazing to celebrate each other’s writing lives and to share the bond of our mama-writer community. Another of my favorite moments was dancing with new Pen Parentis friends and visiting Edgar Allan Poe’s grave (such a writerly thing to do!).

In addition to chatting with friends at the book fair, buying books (so many books!), and going to literary readings, I attended craft panels that inspired me to create more joy in my own writing. There were panels on book reviewing, creative nonfiction research, writing supernatural characters, and reading poetry. It was fun to geek-out on crafting words. Between my outrageously high TBR pile and my renewed enthusiasm for more play in my own writing practice, I’m ready for a literary spring.

Next year’s AWP is in Chicago. I hope to see you there!