I have somehow managed to avoid the chaos that  of the annual AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs) conference, but this year I am not only attending, but also presenting with a stellar panel of writers.

What:  Presentation: History, Speculation and Invention in Long-Form Fiction

Where: Minneapolis Conference Center, Level 2, Room 200 D & E

When: 9:00 to 10:15 a.m.; Thursday, April 11th

Who’s Presenting?: Me, my girl Melissa Falcon Field, Christopher Robinson, Jaquira Diaz, and Sebastian Stockman.

What Are We Talking About?: Per the APA program, here’s a titillating overview:

Panelists will explore the use of literary mosaics to interface fiction and reality in order to transform stories of stories of suicide, poverty, war, and murder, divulging the tensions between history, speculation, and pure invention. Writers will discuss different methodologies of narrative form and discuss how research can both energize and betray readership when developing protagonists who share histories and incorporate insider perspectives to reveal less universal truths through long-form fiction. 

Bonus: When I return from my trip, I will be posting an overview of my portion of the presentation, where I regale you with tales of starving nuns, serial killers who use tree saws, the particular horrors of the bubonic plague, and so many more fun things! Stay tuned.