Long time, no see! I’m at AWP for the next few days and loving it so far.
On Thursday, I started my day off at “The Poetry of Comics” panel featuring Erica Trabold, Bianca Stone, Gabrielle Bates, Alexander Rothman and Catherine Bresner. I checked it out because I’ve been working on a graphic novel and a short comic series. The panel was all I could have asked for and more. The writers read from their work and talked about how comics and poetry intersect. Much was said about revision, collaboration, ekphrasis poetry, and editing.
“Comics is ekphrasis in reverse.” – Catherine Bresner, “The Poetry of Comics” panel
I recommend checking out all of the above mentioned writers. Bianca Stone’s book “Poetry Comics” can be found at Pleiades Press (table 1511) and Alexander Rothman helps run INK BRICK (table 1741).
After that I wandered around the bookfair. Always my favorite part of AWP (that, and meeting up with friends). I picked up “Night Sky With Exit Wounds” by Ocean Vuong, “When My Brother Was an Aztec” by Natalie Diaz and “Incorrect Merciful Impulses” by Camille Rankine from Copper Canyon Press. Then I grabbed “Do Not Rise” by Beth Bachmann and “Catalogue of Unabashed Gratitude” by Ross Gay from Pitt Press. Finally, I had to buy “Poetry of Comics” by Bianca Stone! I’m excited to read all of these wonderful poets.
I also had the pleasure of finally meeting a few The MFA Years contributors in person: Kat Saunders, Jen Obi and Minda Honey. Yay!
I ended the day hiding behind the Meridian/Devils Lake table (we all have our moments) and then I headed to the Cream City Review/Meridian/Devils Lake reading at the Ham and Eggs Tavern. Two of my favorite readers were poets I’d never heard of before, but now I’m excited to read more: Sueyeun Juliette Lee and Vievee Francis. Matthew Olzmann was great as always.
What were your favorite panels/readings on day one?
