I feel so grown up.
I just submitted a proposal for a panel at next year’s AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs, I know there’s a W missing) conference.
This is something that adults do. It’s not like I have Peter Pan syndrome. I have impostor syndrome. Look it up.
The conference is in Chicago again, which makes it super likely I’ll be spending some time down there, whether I’m on a panel or not.
Technically, I’d be the moderator of the panel. And the organizer—I populated the panel with people I knew from various parts of my life who write and teach writing. It was fun to plan and organize. Fingers crossed that it will be among the not-even-40% of the proposed panels submitted each year. If not? Well, I tried, and it was a learning experience.
Speaking of learning experiences: I signed up for another stint as an adjunct at Alma Mater. I have the summer to plan out the course this time, and now that I’ve done it once, I have a better idea of what to require and expect from the students.
It’s going to be another busy fall, in other words. But I should have a first draft of The Black Hour by then. I’ll have to figure out what I’ll write-a-thon with the students. Another first draft? That is getting far far ahead of myself.
Good luck with the panel! I'm planning to attend AWP next year, too. If you're moderating, can you save me a decent seat?
Get there early!