Suggestions for Potential AWP Panel Proposals
We know AWP panels are often niche. Some will agree that the most memorable have come as a surprise. Something rather magical happens in the room. I haven’t been lucky enough to be in too many rooms like that.
In any case, I’ve been reflecting on a few ideas for panel proposals for the AWP conference… but, of course, these could be for another conference, too.
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How to handle serial plagiarists
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AI – an obvious concern
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Politics and division in the literary community
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How to hold fair contests
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Class issues in the literary community
· Could include discussion of access to residencies
· Who can apply and receive grants / funding
· How pay to play submission fees are a bit like a regressive tax
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Grants / Funding + Residencies / Retreats
How much of this depends on secrecy, being "in the know", understanding you're a potential candidate / recipient? The literary community isn't quick to give out advice on how to receive grant funding or how to write the kind of grant pitch that gets awarded funding or a stay at a residency. It seems obvious that the problem is telling others lowers your chances. Helping others can mean more competition. But the reality is that it should be easier to determine what's available, if you're a good candidate/fit, and if something (like a particular residency) makes sense for you / your project / and if you have a decent chance of being let in. This requires community collaboration instead of constant competition. We need more facilitators in the community who are willing to focus their efforts (maybe through a nonprofit) to connect writers and artists with funding and services.
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Leadership in the literary community
How to better prepare and navigate in-house situations (such as what just happened with Guernica)
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Addressing cancel culture & takedowns
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Navigating social media as a poet/writer/artist
· Time management
· Self-promotion
· Reciprocity
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Readership
What is the value of print vs. online? Weighing pros & cons of both mediums.
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How much should feedback do writers want from editors?
Are lit mag editors doing enough actual editing? Are writers comfortable with more editor input or does this feel like overstepping?
This gets more complicated when you discuss book editing vs. lit mag curation.
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Other ideas??
To me the most interesting is the issue of cancel culture and takedowns (along with the Guernica situation. But they are the most fraught and likely to be met with troubling consequences—which is the reason whey this is so important.
Mark, if you ever want to do a panel on Artificial Intelligence, let me know. I’ve published in this area, and have given a great deal of thought to it. Best, Carla