two readings in sf this week, a reading in tampa at awp next week

Really looking forward to reading in the Babylon Salon series on Saturday night (6pm, Armory Club) with some terrific local authors.

The awards ceremony for the Soul-Making Keats Competition (where I'll read for four minutes) at the SF Public Library (Sunday, 1pm) should be interesting too. I wish I wasn't so strapped for time this week and weekend though, with tons to grade and read for my classes.

Getting jazzed about AWP, the enormous annual writers conference, this year in Tampa. More than 12,000 writers attended last year. It's easy to get overwhelmed, but I'm hoping to stay focused and not do too much.

Steve and I are both in readings. I'll be doing a chapbook signing. Looks like the weather will be balmy and we're in a fancy high rise hotel. Some good friends from grad school that we don't often see will be there. 

Info, for those who will be in Tampa next week:

Thursday, March 8, 3-4:15pm
Steve will be in the WACCAMAW reading, Virginia Barber Middleton Stage, Exhibit Hall.

Thursday, March 8, 6-9 pm
I’ll be reading from my chapbook with some terrific BLACK LAWRENCE PRESS writers at American Social Bar, 601 S Harbour Island Blvd, Tampa.
 
Friday, March 9, 3-4 pm
I’ll be doing a chapbook signing at the BLACK LAWRENCE PRESS booth (#1410) from 3-4pm.
 
I also have two flash in the current issue of POST ROAD (for sale at table T524), and a lyric essay in the current issue of NOR: NEW OHIO REVIEW (which I haven't seen yet, but it will be for sale at table 41). And an essay in last summer’s issue of the print magazine GETTYSBURG REVIEW (for sale at table 1618). Not sure if the new HOTEL AMERIKA with my hybrid flash will be for sale, but the editor David Lazar is in a panel (F232) on Friday.

the enormous AWP Book Fair

​Oh, and I put together my first facebook event page ever, to let people know about the AWP events. (Proud to have mastered what probably any ten-year-old could handle.) I'm sure the reading will be fine (though it happens to be the same night as the George Saunders keynote address), but I'm worried that not a single person will stop by for the chapbook signing. So many people have bought the chapbook already, and there's so much going on at the conference. At least I'm prepared for that possibility, and I love the editors at Black Lawrence Press, Kit Frick and Diane Goettel, so will get a chance to talk to them.