I’m attending the AWP Conference & Bookfair for three days this week. Long days!

AWP stands for the Association of Writers and Writing Programs. Sessions are 75 minutes long, back-to-back all day. They’re held at the Chicago Hilton and the Palmer House Hilton. Shuttles run between these two ornately beautiful hotels

As  a nurse, I’ve attended large conferences, but nothing like this. There are 10,000 registrants, over 3000 of whom are students.

Right now I’m overwhelmed with information I’ve gleaned from sessions on everything from using the social media to promote our writing to the writing itself.

Also there are hundreds of exhibitors. I overheard the word “overwhelmed” today by others also as I pushed through miles of exhibits in the sprawling tombs of the Chicago Hilton.

By happenstance, I met two nurse writers. This is always a huge treat! One gave me her book. I’ll be writing about that later. I’ll be writing much more about the conference when I regroup. Now I must leave for the final day. I’ve checked off six sessions I want to attend.

Because we’re having guests on Sunday, my husband is in charge of house cleaning and doing the washing this week.But he took a break last night and joined me to attend a reading sponsored by three faith-based publishers. More on that later too.

I’ve packed a PB&J for my backpack. There is no time to eat, but my mind is having a feast of its own. Stay tuned!