Strong deeds, gentle words

The state motto of Maryland is “Fatti maschii, parole femine,” translating to “Strong deeds, gentle words.” And, that about sums up my experience at this year’s AWP Conference in Baltimore.

After having to miss last year’s jaunt in Los Angeles because I don’t come from generational wealth, it was so great to return to the Bookfair in the Old Line State, not just as an author but also as part of the inaugural booth for Vine Leaves Press.

Despite the relatively cold and overcast weather, the convention center was abuzz with literary magic. For the first time, I got to meet & hug my publishers in real life and find out, unsurprisingly, that they’re even more stellar individuals than I could have expected. On Wednesday night, I took part in the Write the Pain Away reading along the cobblestones of Fells Point and, on Friday, returned to Nicole Tallman’s A Very Gay Literary Hour.

In between it all, I had the pleasure of meeting some new and fantastic artists, traipsed the aisles, spent time with gorgeous friends, made some new ones, sold some books, bought even more than I sold, and even had some absolutely delicious oxtail ramen at a fantastic local restaurant aptly named Waiting to Oxtail.

A time was had, pictures were taken (many omitted from this post because the awful lighting lent me the pallor of a sickly Victorian child), and I couldn’t be more grateful for the experience.

If I saw you, I probably love you. If I didn’t, you can only avoid me for so long.

Next year in Chicago!