AWP Conference 2019

Between March 28 and March 30, 2019, tens of thousands of writers, editors, and readers descended upon Portland, Ore., for the annual Association of Writers & Writing Programs conference.

There, editor Joyce Chen spoke on the importance of inclusivity in literary magazines and organizations, reppin’ The Seventh Wave alongside other fantastic literary journals, such as Split Lip Magazine, Barrelhouse, North American Review, Rigorous, and f(r)iction.

(From L-R): Andrew Jiminez of *F(r)iction*, moderator Jenn Scheck-Kahn, Rosalyn Spencer of *Rigorous*, and editor Joyce Chen.

(From L-R): Editor Joyce Chen, Tara Campbell of *Barrelhouse*, Jeremy Schraffenberger of *North American Review*, Kaitlyn Andrews-Rice of *Split Lip Mag*, and moderator Sarah McGrail.

The conference served as not only an opportunity to connect with other literary organizations doing great work both on and offline, but also a means for us to chat with (and in some cases, meet for the very first time!) some of our contributors and mentors in person.

Editor Joyce Chen with Issue 8 contributor Dionne Custer Edwards, whose powerful essay, “On Race and Small Talk With the Neighbors,” you can read here.

Editor Joyce Chen with Issue 4 contributor Shonda Buchanan, whose poignant post-election essay, “Three Days Awake,” you can read here.

Asian American Writing Workshop cofounder, Columbia professor, and novelist/essayist extraordinaire, Marie Myung-Ok Lee, with editor Joyce Chen.

The Seventh Wave is proud to have taken part in AWP, and looks forward to continuing to forge relationships and deepen connections at next year’s conference, to be held in San Antonio, TX, from March 4 – 7, 2020. See y’all then!

Keynote speaker Colson Whitehead addresses a packed audience on Friday night, likening the writing process to finding the perfect fried chicken recipe.

Featured image courtesy Michael Silberstein.