Reading, Writing, Teaching
A trio of lifelong learning practices
I’m heading to the Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference (AWP) in Los Angeles tomorrow and have been thinking about the intersection of my writing, teaching, and reading practices. These are three activities I’ve been doing for most of my life, in varying proportions, and they definitely feel linked. Sometimes these three are high-fiving and giving each other a leg-up. Other times, the combination feels more awkward, like I’m trying to run a three-legged race.
That’s why I love AWP. It’s a chance to spend a few days investigating the overlap between my practices so I can get my legs moving in sync again. There are readings by writers I love, panels on how to solve tricky writers’ craft issues, and pedagogy panels on how to be a conscientious and effective teacher in today’s complex education landscape. There’s a book fair where attendees can meet with lit mag editors and indie publishers and buy subscriptions and hot-off-the-press books. And there are parties, which this year includes a benefit to raise money for the host-city’s wildfire recovery fund.
All and all, the conference is three days in which I gather inspiration, learn new things, and come away with a heartening sense of community that supports each of my literary-related practices. I never know what job to put on my name badge. Am I an author? An educator? A fan-girl?
I will definitely be doing some swooning this year since a trio of my favorite CNF writers will be in attendance: Alexander Chee, Melissa Febos, and this year’s keynote speaker Roxane Gay. (For any of you who don’t know the work of these writer-educators, I’ve linked their names to my favorite of their essay collections, although with Febos it was a toss-up; I also love her collection Girlhood).
Why do so many authors teach? The primary reason, among writers I know, is that they need to make a stable living. But I think, most of us also feel that the ability to self-reflect and form connections via effective communication and/or playfully-propelled language is a skill we want to share and celebrate with others.
Sharing and celebrating were two important motivators for this newsletter too. Much like a conference or a classroom, this is a community that encourages communication and connection. So, here’s a question for you: what would you put on your name badge? How does your creative work interact with your day job or side hustles, your studies and hobbies and dreams? Do these parts naturally mingle and converse? Or is there one part that is always tripping you up? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
And if any of you happen to be going to AWP yourselves, maybe you’ll let me know so we can go to a panel together? I’ll be the one with the multihyphenated name badge. No, wait. That won’t help. I feel like most of the 8,000+ expected attendees will be folks who do many things in tandem. So, you might just have to find me. I’m hoping to be in the front row for Roxane Gay’s keynote speech. Or you could send me an email?
Scroll down for some CNF-related opportunities.
Also, stay tuned! Next month is the one-year anniversary of Truly Important, and I have a truly special featured writer to introduce: a member of our community who took my CNF class a while back and who has just published an amazing book!
Some upcoming opportunities
ROOM Magazine has an open call for submissions right now (deadline is on a rolling basis until they reach their submission limit). Nonfiction work of up to 3500 words is welcome on all themes.
The Festival of Literary Diversity (The FOLD) is an annual festival that takes place in Brampton, Ontario and online. This year the festival runs from April 27-May 4. More details on live and virtual events, including some excellent CNF opportunities can be found here.
PRISM Magazine is currently looking for prose submissions of up to 4000 words on the topic of "filth". The deadline is June 11, and more details are available on their Submittable page here.
The PEN Canada New Voices Award awards $3000 and mentorship to an emerging Canadian writer each year. Submit prose of up to 4,000 words by May 12 to be considered. More details here.
Thank you for another fabulous visit with you. I really appreciate hearing your thoughts on the juggling that goes on for writers--their writing and their other work. All relatable. The AWP sounds like a fabulous event. So wish I could be there--though given the current climate, not so much. With you in spirit, for sure.
Another activity your readers might be interested in, is the upcoming CNFC festival--this year's online conference. https://creativenonfictioncollective.ca/reconcilingtruth/
As always Becky, your posts are the highlight of my email inbox. This one has me pondering what I might put on my own name badge: Would I be able to define myself as a multihyphenate on a Venn diagram? This may be a fun, yet challenging experiment in self-identity. Your post also reminds me of our student-teacher intersection and how grateful I am for this relationship. :) Enjoy AWP! Looking forward to perhaps a future post about your experience on learning in community, and the overlap of your writing, reading and teaching. Pictures of feet on trippy hotel carpets welcomed too. Might be a new trend?