Gearing Up For AWP, Keeping Community Going, and Still Not Writing

Finalizing my schedule for AWP with off-site readings and table times at the book fair… For those who are attending, I hope that I can meet you!

So far, I have an off-site reading for Cobra Milk, Ghost Parachute and SmokeLong Quarterly, and I should be at my table, Literary Namjooning, my Bitter over Sweet publisher’s table, Santa Fe Writers Project (with 40 limited edition AWP copies of Bitter over Sweet - squeeee), and at SmokeLong Quarterly’s table… follow the ukulele playing… speaking of which, I’m buying and using a brand new Enya ukulele and giving it away at the end of the conference - anyone who buys my book or preorders it, can enter to win!!

How is everyone finding each other’s work online? It’s been tough navigating multiple platforms to find and promote the work of people I know. Have you been feeling the same? How are you maintaining community? I feel like now MORE than ever we need to be supporting and uplifting our work and others to fight what’s happening in America (and as a result across the world because ripples are REAL).

I admit that I am feeling very disconnected and not engaging as much online because there are too many places for me to find everyone. So I am so sorry to those who are used to more engagement from me. I’m doing my best… but I am so very tired.

Also, I am still not writing. I haven’t written anything good in months and it is both freeing AND distressing, but my brain is overloaded with life, the world, AWP (and all of the stress of traveling overseas with a very weak yen), my new book and promoting it and myself…it’s just a lot. I’m hoping to get back to it soon… maybe SmokeLong’s March Micro Marathon? I’m teaching a webinar with them if you haven’t signed up yet! I definitely can teach (I think lol) so maybe be in community with others will inspire me?

I think that’s pretty much my week… how’s yours going? Sending light, love and creativity to you my friends.