Attending 2016 AWP Writers Conference and Bookfair

Attending 2016 AWP Writers Conference and Bookfair

Grant:
Lecturers' Professional Development Fund (LPDF)
Academic Year:
2015 - 2016 (June 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016)
Funding Requested:
$1,880.00
Project Dates:
-
Applicant(s):
russelrj
Overview of the Project:
I am requesting a grant to fund my trip to the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) Conference in Los Angeles. The conference, which runs from March 30 – April 2, 2016, will further my professional development in two key ways: through presentation of my recently published novel Mesilla, and attendance at four key panels that will facilitate both my pedagogical and creative endeavors. The primary objective for my pedagogical endeavors will be to gain training and insight in inclusivity practices in publishing. Attendance at the AWP conference will further my creative endeavors by allowing me to network with authors and publishers, take part in craft lectures, and attend panels that will deeply broaden my own knowledge of themes and arguments present in my work.
Final Report Fields
Project Objectives:

The objectives of the project were to attend the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference in Los Angeles, and to present my recently published novel Mesilla, in order to further my professional development, as well as attending four key panels that would help facilitate both my pedagogical and creative endeavors. Ultimately, all panels were focused on diversity of storytellers, peoples, ideas, and publications, which is crucial to my pedagogical goal of inclusion and diversity.

Project Achievements:

My attendance of the conference achieved the desired goals of fostering a conversation about diversity in writing and publishing, being a part of exciting and important conversations, and allowing me insight into a breadth of authors I would like to teach in upcoming classes. Panelists discussed their struggles as non-white or non-cis-gender writers, how they continue to overcome hurdles that others take for granted, and read from their work. They solicited lively conversation from the audience, and I came away with fantastic ideas of how to incorporate their work, and these same discussions, in upcoming courses. On a creative level, I was able to sell and sign copies of my books, meet readers and writers and publishers, and get a larger following for my own work.

Continuation:
Yes. I am working on developing more diverse curricula for future courses that will utilize work and discusses presented by authors on the panels I attended.
Dissemination:
I have already been discussing the importance of diverse panel attendance not only to writers, but to teachers as well. I plan on having discussions about the panels, the authors on them, the questions raised, and how we can all incorporate these important topics into our coursework and classroom discussions.
Advice to your Colleagues:
The grant funding was crucial for me to be able to attend the bookfair, and, ultimately, to further my professional and pedagogical careers. Being funded by CRLT made this all possible.
PRINTER VERSION
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