Below is our list of must-see publishing-related events at the 2015 AWP conference. We hope we’ll see you at PW’s panel on Saturday, April 11 (details below), and maybe at some of these great events, too!
Thursday, April 9
9–10:15 a.m.
Social Media Secrets for Authors
Room 200 B&C, Level 2
BuzzFeed’s Isaac Fitzgerald and others offer insider tips on building an author platform on social media.
12–1:15 p.m.
The Business of Publishing Your First Novel: Author and Publisher Perspectives
Auditorium Room 2, Level 1
Dennis Johnson of Melville House and others discuss the business of debut fiction.
The Sky Isn’t Falling: Publishing and Entrepreneurship
AWP Bookfair Stage, Level 1
Richard Nash, publisher of Red Lemonade, and others explain their optimistic attitude about the future of publishing.
3–4:15 p.m.
Women in Publishing: The Business of Publishing as a Woman Today
AWP Bookfair Stage, Level 1
Ru Freeman and others on the challenges and opportunities facing women in the book biz.
4:30–5:45 p.m.
Rise of the Independent Publicist
Room L100 B&C, Lower Level
Michelle Blankenship, Jesmyn Ward, and others discuss this increasingly important role.
Friday, April 10
10:30–11:45 a.m.
Independent Bookselling: Opportunities for Authors
Room 205 C&D, Level 2
Three Minneapolis bookstores sponsor this discussion on the power of indie booksellers.
12–1:15 p.m.
Short Fiction—Writing It, Acquiring It, Selling It
Room 101 B&C, Level 1
Rob Spillman of Tin House and others discuss a genre undergoing a renaissance.
Saturday, April 11
10:30–11:45 a.m.
The Art of Literary Editing
Auditorium Room 1, Level 1
Brigid Hughes, of A Public Space and Graywolf, and others discuss the real work of a literary editor.
Self-Publishing Primer: How to Become Your Own Publisher
Room L100 A, Lower Level
Authors and publishing consultants discuss this new publishing paradigm.
1:30–2:45 p.m.
The Other Track: M.F.A.s in the Book Business
Auditorium Room 2, Level 1
PW’s panel features editors and other publishing professionals from Graywolf, Riverhead, Coffee House, and the National Book Foundation on pursuing successful post-M.F.A. careers outside of academia.
