Featured Events
#AWP26 Keynote Address by John Waters, Sponsored by Johns Hopkins University
Thursday, March 5, 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ETBallroom I, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
John Waters has written and directed sixteen movies including Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Polyester, Hairspray, Cry Baby, Serial Mom, and A Dirty Shame. Both Pink Flamingos and Hairspray have been added to the U.S. Library of Congress’ National Film Registry.
He is the author of ten books: Shock Value, Crackpot, Pink Flamingos and Other Trash, Hairspray, Female Trouble and Multiple Maniacs, Art: A Sex Book (co-written with Bruce Hainley), Role Models, Carsick, Make Trouble, Mr. Know-It-All, and in 2022 his first novel, Liarmouth: A Feel Bad Romance. Liarmouth was optioned by Village Roadshow Pictures for John to write the screenplay adaptation and direct the movie.
Picador will publish six of Waters’ screenplays as individual editions in 2025: Pink Flamingos, Flamingos Forever, and Desperate Living in May, and Multiple Maniacs, Female Trouble, and Hairspray in mid-October.
Please note that photography and recording are strictly prohibited at this event. The event will be live streamed to registered attendees for 30 days post-conference and will not be made available later. This event will include live captioning and ASL interpretation.
AWP Awards Reception & Celebration
Wednesday, March 4, 6:30–8:00 p.m. ET
Renaissance Harborplace Hotel
Kick off #AWP26 with the AWP Awards Reception! We are proud to celebrate the winners of AWP’s awards, including the AWP Award Series, George Garrett Award, Small Press Publisher Award, and the Writing Organization Award.
Admission is complimentary, with a suggested $15 donation. One free drink ticket per guest and appetizers will be available, as well as a performance by the Cornelius Eady Group.
“They’ll Never Write a Poem”: Neurodivergent Poets on Their Writing Lives, Sponsored by Sarabande Books
Thursday, March 5, 12:10 p.m. to 1:25 p.m. ET
Ballroom I, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
In April 2025, the US health secretary made the claim that there will never be an autistic poet. Five award-winning poets set the record straight in a reading and discussion of their work and lived experiences as neurodivergent writers. Topics include intersectionality and neurodivergence, reframing creative practices, novelty-fueled nervous systems, pitching divergent projects, off-brand skills, and accessibility in the literary field.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
Read presenters' full bios.
Present Tense: Writing Jewish Stories for Today, Sponsored by Jewish Book Council
Thursday, March 5, 12:10 p.m. to 1:25 p.m. ET
Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
Why do Jewish stories matter? What are the unique challenges and responsibilities—and inspiring possibilities—of writing Jewish fiction today? This panel brings together three acclaimed authors to discuss weaving personal experiences into one’s work, how fiction can engage and educate a broad readership about the diversity of Jewish cultural heritage, how Jewish authors can navigate the publishing world, and how to envision the role of Jewish stories in the future.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
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The Right to Read vs. Book Bans: Stories & Advice from the Front Lines, Sponsored by Blue Flower Arts
Thursday, March 5, 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET
Ballroom I, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
Book bans designed to keep diverse stories—particularly BIPOC and LGBTQ+ voices—out of classrooms and libraries are growing at an alarming rate. Join celebrated YA authors as they share lessons on taking a stand against censorship and empowering others to do the same.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
Read presenters’ full bios.
Black Poets & Their Fictions: A Reading & Conversation, Sponsored by Furious Flower Poetry Center
Thursday, March 5, 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET
Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
This panel brings together three award-winning poets exploring the expansiveness of expression in traditional and contemporary Black poetic practice, extending into fiction. Moderated discussions highlight craft, complications, and rewards of engaging self, history, and language across genres.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
Read presenters’ full bios.
Cave Canem Presents: POETS LAUREATE!
Thursdsay, March 5, 3:20 p.m. to 4:35 p.m. ET
Ballroom I, Baltimore Convention Center, 400 Level
A poet laureate is an individual honored with that title and who often has published collections of poems, critically acclaimed performances, a résumé decorated with literary awards. A less-discussed attribute is that they are usually selected by their peers and/or geosocial groups for the contributions they make to their respective communities. Hear Curtis Crisler, Regie Gibson, Natalie Graham, and Jacqueline Trimble read their poems and discuss their projects and tenures as poets laureate.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
Read presenters’ full bios.
Writing the Things We Don’t Talk About: A Lecture By Ramona Emerson
Thursday, March 5, 3:20 p.m. to 4:35 p.m. ET
Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
As a writer, we always tackle things that are difficult to confront. But in Native communities, the things we are told not to share are even more consequential and can have ramifications far beyond our page. In this lecture we will talk about writing about those things that we are told not to talk about. Taboos, ceremonies, teachings - how do we navigate these topics without revealing too much? How does tackling these issues translate to the page?
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
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Ask An Agent Anything, Sponsored by AWP
Friday, March 6, 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. ET
Ballroom I, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
Ever wonder what literary agents really look for in a query? Or how they decide which projects to take on? Join us for this candid conversation among a panel of literary agents answering your questions about everything from submissions and publishing trends to representation and more. Whether you’re seeking representation or are just curious about how the industry works, this is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the experts.
All questions must be submitted in advance via the #AWP26 Ask an Agent Anything form. The deadline to submit a question is Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
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Pages On-Beat: Rhythm & Prose: A Lecture by MK Asante
Friday, March 6, 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. ET
Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
MK Asante, bestselling author, award-winning filmmaker, recording artist, and distinguished professor, takes us on a personal journey into polyrhythmic storytelling.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
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Toward a Liberatory Literature: Palestinian Writers in Conversation, Sponsored by Kundiman and Asian American Writers' Workshop
Friday, March 6, 10:35 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. ET
Ballroom I, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
The struggle for liberation in Palestine and the genocide in Gaza have galvanized the world and reignited long-standing conversations around the global struggle for liberation. Join Kundiman and the Asian American Writers’ Workshop for this special reading and conversation featuring Palestinian writers Sarah Aziza and Fargo Nissim Tbakhi, moderated by Mohamad Saleh. This panel will discuss the role of writers in displaced diaspora communities, how literature can disrupt narratives of empire and colonialism, and the histories of cross-community solidarities.
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Poet Community Leaders: A Letras Latinas Reading & Discussion
Friday, March 6, 10:35 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. ET
Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
Poet laureates and community literary leaders share insights on balancing artistic practice with active community involvement.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
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From Isolation to Ecosystem: How to Be Seen, Supported & Sustained, Sponsored by MacDowell & the Black List
Friday, March 6, 12:10 p.m. to 1:25 p.m. ET
Ballroom I, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
This panel explores platforms, tools, and communities to develop a sustainable artistic ecosystem. Writers and organization leaders discuss strategies for navigating career support at all stages.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
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NBF Presents: Genre-Bending
Friday, March 6, 12:10 p.m. to 1:25 p.m. ET
Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
National Book Award–honored authors read across multiple genres and discuss genre’s role in contemporary literature and its recognition. Moderated by Ruth Dickey.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
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Rewriting the Archive: Poetic Voices on Who Defines History, Sponsored by Alice James Books
Friday, March 6, 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET
Ballroom I, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
Alice James Books presents acclaimed poets reading works that examine historical records and challenge dominant narratives. Moderated by Kondwani Fidel.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
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Traversing Genre: A Nightboat Books Reading
Friday, March 6, 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET
Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
Four Nightboat authors present works across poetry, fiction, and nonfiction exploring ecology, Black women’s lives, class, gender, sexuality, trans identity, and multilingualism.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
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Half of the Birdsong: Poetry Working Toward Personal Truth, Sponsored by Copper Canyon Press
Friday, March 6, 3:20 p.m. to 4:35 p.m. ET
Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
Two poets showcase poetry’s ability to reveal profound truths, vulnerability, and hope. Featuring Gabrielle Calvocoressi and Richard Siken.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
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Worlds Within Worlds: Fiction, Language & Intertextuality, Sponsored by Center for Fiction
Saturday, March 7, 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. ET
Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
Join two giants of literary fiction for an exploration of multifaceted, compressed prose that is both accessible and rich with nuance, insight, and meaning. Katie Kitamura and Rabih Alameddine’s novels, like those of Sebald, offer complex and unreconciled worlds. In both authors’ work, too, translation—and the untranslatable—works on multiple levels. Come for a craft talk that will open up new avenues of exploration in your work. Moderated by author and scholar Mecca Jamilah Sullivan.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
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Translating Gaza, Problematizing Translation: On Urgency, Critique & Publishing, Sponsored by Mizna
Saturday, March 7, 10:35 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. ETBallroom II, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
Three percent of US books are translations, amplifying the powers and pitfalls of the discipline. The fraction of Arabic to English work, especially in light of Gazan genocide, holds clear urgency and impact despite risks of fetishism, voyeurism, and complacency—endemic to this literary field and ripe for critique, if not paralysis. Here, the theory and praxis of translating within empire are discussed through two contrasting, complementary publications by their editors.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
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Writing the Dark of America with Red Hen Press
Saturday, March 7, 12:10 p.m. to 1:25 p.m. ET
Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
Panelists discuss dystopian fiction, fractured communities, societal flaws, and efforts to turn toward solutions and light.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
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Art Under Threat? The Use of AI in Creative Writing, Sponsored by PEN America
Saturday, March 7, 1:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET
Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
The subject of numerous lawsuits, conversational AI bots have been trained on millions of books, without authors’ consent. Despite this theft, some authors are utilizing the new technology in their work, from testing plotlines to incorporating the generated text in ways that question its impact on literature and humanity. In this timely discussion, bestselling authors Ken Liu (All That We See or Seem), Karen Hao (Empire of AI), and Vauhini Vara (Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age), with moderator Will Knight, examine the ethical considerations, threats, and possibilities in using generative AI.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
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Pulitzer on the Road: Natasha Trethewey & Lucy Sante in Conversation
Saturday, March 7, 3:20 p.m. to 4:35 p.m. ET
Ballroom II, Baltimore Convention Center, Level 400
A conversation on memoir and autobiographical writing between two authors known for their work across multiple literary genres: two-time US Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize–winning poet and nonfiction writer, Natasha Trethewey, and renowned cultural critic, chronicler of subcultural life, and Pulitzer Prize finalist for Memoir in 2025, Lucy Sante. The authors explore how works rooted in personal experience can connect to larger narratives of race, historical erasure, gender, queerness, and class.
This event will be live streamed and include live captioning.
Read presenters' bios.
Stay tuned for more amazing featured events from literary partner, Authors Guild.
Check out featured presenter books at Bookshop.org
