Exploring the Literary World: My AWP Experience
April 15, 2025By Chloe Laszlo '25
From March 27-29, 2025 I attended the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) annual Conference and Bookfair in Los Angeles thanks to the generosity of Mount Union and my professors.
As a senior, searching for job and internship opportunities has not been without its challenges. With a double major in Japanese and marketing and a minor in writing, I have struggled to determine exactly what I want to do post-graduation, but I have always had a strong interest in the writing and publishing field. Through my classes and mentorships from professors, I learned the importance of networking and forming new connections within the industries I might want to enter, which is what led me to be interested in attending AWP.
AWP is a nonprofit organization established in 1967 that supports not only publishers and writing programs but individual writers as well. Their mission is to amplify the voices of writers by offering mentorship programs and advocating for fair treatment of writers in academia. AWP also holds the largest annual literary conference in North America, welcoming thousands of professional and aspiring writers, MFA writing programs, and presses of all sizes.
When I learned about what AWP had to offer, I was eager to attend, but due to the cost of traveling, I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford it on my own. However, I decided to reach out to Dr. Rodney Dick, the director of retention and the Digital, Written, and Oral Communication Studio, to inquire about the possibility of securing funding for my trip. Dr. Dick was incredibly helpful and did everything he could to make my dream of attending AWP a reality. He suggested I apply for an Academic Research and Creative Scholarship, and I am so glad I did! I was awarded this scholarship along with funds from the English department, which completely covered my airfare and hotel costs.
Attending AWP was such a valuable experience. When I first arrived, I stopped by the bookfair, where hundreds of tables displayed MFA programs, university presses, independent presses, and so much more. It was overwhelming as I made my way through the fair, but so rewarding.
Over the course of the conference, I was able to network with publishers and learn about internship and job opportunities. I discovered helpful organizations such as the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP), which lists job opportunities with presses in their network. I also networked with literary professionals and gained insights into the world of publishing, learning how they became the professionals that they are today. It was really inspiring to hear from those who started as interns and worked their way up into roles such as editors or agents.
As a writer myself, I also learned about presses and magazines that were open for submissions and discovered new places where I could potentially publish my work.
Along with the bookfair, I attended several sessions hosted by published authors and literary professionals. I received great advice on topics such as how to sustain a writing career, the pros and cons of the various types of presses when seeking publication, the value of short fiction, and much more.
When I wasn’t at the conference, I had the chance to explore Los Angeles. I visited Santa Monica Pier, Little Tokyo, and Downtown LA, where I enjoyed delicious food, visited attractions like the Grand Central Market and The Last Bookstore, and saw Shohei Ohtani’s (a legendary Japanese baseball player currently playing for the Dodgers) giant mural.
I am truly grateful to Mount Union and my professors for the opportunity to attend AWP. I learned so much and made so many valuable connections. As I transition from a student to professional, I am confident that the connections I made at AWP will assist me in finding a rewarding career in the publishing industry, whether that be as a writer or behind the scenes.
To learn more about Mount Union’s English and writing opportunities, check out the Department of Literature and Communication Arts.