PHOTO BY JOHN LUND/TOMPENPARK

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

awpwriter.org #AWP16

Los Angeles Convention Center & JW Marriott Los Angeles

Attendee Guide

Conference & BookfairMarch 30–April 2, 2016

North America’s Largest Literary Conference

#AWP16 Coming Soon!The AWP Conference & Bookfair is an essential annual destination

for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Each

year, more than 12,000 attendees join our community for four

days of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access

to the organizations and opinion-makers that matter most in

contemporary literature.

Why Choose #AWP16?• Choose from over 550 literary readings, panel discussions, and

bookfair stages focusing on fiction, nonfiction, poetry, social

and regional issues, the writing craft, teaching, publishing,

marketing, and so much more.

• Access the largest literary marketplace in North America. The

AWP Bookfair features over 800 booths and tables made up of

small presses, literary magazines, e-journals, trade publishers,

workshop centers, and writing programs, retreats, and

residencies from universities around the world.

• Attend readings, discussions, and book signings from your

favorite writers, reviewers, publishers, and peers. Some of our

most recent featured presenters have included Sherman

Alexie, Louise Erdrich, Roxane Gay, Barry Lopez, Sharon Olds,

Annie Proulx, Karen Russell, Amy Tan, Derek Walcott, Jeannette

Winterson, Tobias Wolff, and hundreds more.

• Network, collaborate, and have fun with your peers at

hundreds of parties, receptions, and offsite events to really

personalize your experience.

“I was thrilled to moderate an insightful, diverse, thoughtful, serious, funny, amazing event on the enduring legacy of William S. Burroughs. This event could have only come together at AWP.”

—Ira Silverberg, Strategic Advisor, Open Road Integrated Media, and Former Literature Director of the National Endowment for the Arts

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

Who Attends the Conference?The AWP Conference & Bookfair welcomes writers and literary devotees from all walks of life. Our attendees include thousands of writers, editors, publishers, graduate students, agents, arts administrators, and teachers who are passionate about literature.

When Is the Conference?On Wednesday, March 30, 2016, registration will be open from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m., but official conference events begin at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2016, and continue until Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 12:00 midnight.

How Do I Register? Conference registration opens Friday, July 31, 2015, and the lowest early-bird rates are available until Friday, October 30, 2015. Special packages and rates are available for AWP members, students, seniors, and presenters. For the full pricing list, check out the AWP Registration page.

Where Can I Stay?Hotel reservations open on August 17, 2015. The official conference hotel is the JW Marriot Los Angeles, and overflow hotels will be available. Reserve your room early to avoid disappointment. Please refer to the Hotel and Travel page for the most up-to-date information.

Who Is Presenting?The keynote speaker is Claudia Rankine, and the official conference schedule will be available online mid-October 2015.

To view the most up-to-date list of featured presenters, visit the Featured Presenters page on the AWP website. A complete list of conference events and presenters can be found on the 2016 Conference Schedule on our website.

Who Exhibits at the Bookfair?The over 800 exhibitors in the bookfair represent many of the most respected, up-and-coming, and well-known publishers, journals, and literary institutions in the country. Check out the Bookfair page on our

website for an up-to-date list of exhibitors. Visit the bookfair to browse titles, find new magazines, go to author signings, talk with your favorite presses, and connect with friends and colleagues. In addition to your favorite booths and tables, free Wi-Fi is available at the bookfair.

Where Can I Eat?Attendees are welcome to take breaks at their leisure, and concessions will be available in the bookfair. Attendees may also enjoy the many restaurants and bars close to the convention center, including The Yardhouse, Arashi Sushi, Bottega Louie, Bottlerock, El Cholo, The Briks, Mexicali Taco and Co, Pattern Bar, Spring Street Bar, and Far Bar.

“The AWP conference’s audience of thousands of passionate readers, writers, and teachers has been the perfect forum to showcase the National Book Critics Circle award winners and finalists. Over the past five years, I’ve hosted numerous events featuring some of contemporary literature’s best authors, and it’s hard to beat the scope of the conference year after year.”

—Jane Ciabattari, Vice President/Online, National Book Critics Circle

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

The Cultural Scene in Los AngelesLos Angeles is filled with exciting attractions, from independent bookstores to Hollywood studio tours. Close to the LA Convention Center you’ll find The Last Bookstore, a used bookstore known for its great selection and impressive book-related décor. If you’re feeling international, be sure to check out Olvera Street’s Mexican Market or Little Tokyo. The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Los Angeles Music Center, which includes the famous Disney Music Hall, are both close by and offer world-class music and art. The Los Angeles Central Library is also worth a visit for its Art Deco architecture and public art displays.

Skylight Books, AWP16’s official bookseller, is located to the north of downtown in Los Feliz. Farther afield lie the starry attractions of the Sunset Strip, which include Book Soup and Mystery Pier Books, stocked with first editions. The Hollywood Walk of Fame and nightlife options such as the Comedy Store and the Roxy Theatre are also located on this side of the city.

LA is filled with writing centers, including the Los Angeles Writers Group, Writers at Work, and The LA Writers Center. And don’t forget about the city’s many small presses and cultural reviews, including Red Hen Press, Siglio, Kaya Press, and the Los Angeles Review of Books.

For more Los Angeles bookstores and literary locations click here for a map.

What Are My Travel Options in Los Angeles?Transportation options in the LA area include LA International Airport, the Metro Train and Bus System, and taxi and car services. For details, please visit our Hotel and Travel page.

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

“As a president of AWP nearly three decades ago, I have watched this association grow from a determined, at times beleaguered group of writers struggling to claim a spot on the academical map, to a bustling, formidable institution—if not the major institution—in the panoply of American arts and letters.”

—Rita Dove, Former U.S. Poet Laureate

First Timer Tips• Register and book your hotel

early for optimal pricing and location.

• Arrive in Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 30, to pick up your conference badge and materials. Expect longer lines on Thursday morning, March 31.

• Download the conference mobile app so you can plan your days and stay up-to-date with any changes.

• Wear comfortable shoes and stay hydrated while walking around.

Timeline July 31, 2015: Early-bird Registration opens

August 17, 2015: Hotel reservations open

Mid-October: Official conference schedule goes live

October 30, 2015: Deadline for early-bird registration rates

March 30, 2016: #AWP16 begins

Stay connected to the AWP Conference & Bookfair through

Facebook and Twitter (#AWP16). Visit the Conference page on the

website for the most up-to-date information.

Who Is AWP?Founded in 1967 by fifteen writers representing thirteen creative writing

programs, today AWP provides support, advocacy, resources, and

community to nearly 50,000 writers, 540 college and university creative

writing programs, and over 125 writers’ conferences and centers. Our

mission is to foster literary achievement, advance the art of writing

as essential to a good education, and serve the makers, teachers,

students, and readers of contemporary writing. For more information

on our history, goals for the future, and what resources are available

to you, check out our About section on the website.

Where Is the Next Conference?Each year, AWP holds its annual conference and bookfair in a different

region of the country. Future locations include Washington, DC (2017),

Tampa (2018), and Portland (2019).

If you have any additional questions, simply read our conference FAQs.

“The AWP Conference is the greatest gathering of writers, publishers, and magazine editors in the United States. The Conference allows writers to break out of their isolation and come together every year to discuss their craft and celebrate their art. Our profession would be a great deal poorer without it.”

—Pablo Medina, Graduate Program Director, Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing, Emerson College, and the author of Cubop City Blues

PHOTO BY ROBB COHEN

A Grateful Thanks to the Premier Sponsor, Presenting Sponsor, Corporate & Grant Support, Major Sponsors, and Literary Partners of the Conference

Premier Sponsor

Major Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor Literary PartnersAcademy of American Poets

American Literary Translators

Association

The Authors Guild

Blue Flower Arts

Cave Canem Foundation

Center for Fiction

Copper Canyon Press

Community of Literary

Magazines & Presses

Grove/Atlantic Press

Hugo House

Kundiman

National Book Critics Circle

Penguin Random House

Speakers Bureau

Poetry Society of America

Poets House

Red Hen Press

Writers in the Schools

Corporate & Grant Support