AWP was terrific this year.  We had an Idyllwild Arts table at the book fair and met many interesting writers and teachers among the great book fair crowds.  I participated in a panel on high school writing programs with teachers from the South Carolina Governor’s School, Interlochen Arts Academy, and the New Mexico School for the Arts.

Jamie Figueroa (New Mexico School For the Arts), Anne-Marie Oomen (Interlochen Arts Academy), Scott Gould (South Carolina Governor’s School), yours truly (Idyllwild Arts), Monika Cassel (New Mexico School for the Arts)

It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about each other’s programs and share what we’ve learned with other high school teachers.  Thanks to these fine teachers for participating in this panel!

It was wonderful to visit the Rose Metal Press table and chat with Abby and Kathleen–click here to see what they’ve been up to.

My book signing for The Kind of Girl

I also gave a reading at the Freehold Theatre with fellow Rose Metal Press author Gregory Robinson and writers from Ricochet Press, Anomalous, Gold Line, and Boston Review.  While there, I picked up Gregory’s new book, All Movies Love the Moon.  Can’t wait to read it!

Some other books I picked up at the fair that I’m looking forward to:

Animal Collection, by Colin Winnette. Beautiful handmade book from Spork Press, with an animal flash story for each letter of the alphabet

Math, Heaven, Time, by Mandy Kahn, and Our Obsidian Tongues by Idyllwild Arts alum David Shook, both of Eyewear Publishing

Motel Diary, by Alice Bolin, of Poor Claudia. Lovely chapbook, amazing poetry

The latest issue of Fairy Tale Review

I think there are others scattered between my classroom and house, but these are the ones currently piled on my desk!