AWP Conference 2026 in Baltimore, MD
- Erin Austin
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
The annual Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference took place in Baltimore, Maryland from March 4-7, 2026. The conference focuses on connecting writers, eductors, editors, and publishers with panels, booths, and a plethora of events. This was the first AWP conference Lefty Blondie Press attended, and it was crabtastic!
Lefty Blondie Press co-founder and managing editor, Amy Lee Heinlen, set up a display so wonderful, it had people coming up just to admire it. She sold copies of our 6 in-print handbound chapbooks, handbound earrings, letterpress broadsides, and new for AWP: a set of 4 letterpress notecards featuring lines from 4 of our chapbooks, and official LBP tote bags!
Several of the events included a keynote address by John Waters, panels from neurodivergent, black, and more writers, and other events such as yoga for writers. This diverse selection of activities and speakers creates a welcoming environment that nurtures education and learning through each other.
The merchandise for sale included copies of our handbound chapbooks, mini chapbook earrings, letterpress broadsides, letterpress notecards, and handbound notebooks. There was also a sign-up sheet for our emailing list so that people can stay up-to-date on new contests, winners, and products. We got over fifty new members signed up!
One of the very best parts of AWP for Amy Lee was getting to meet in person so many writers who have submitted to and published with Lefty Blondie. There were lots of visits from friends, new and renewed, from Autumn House Press, Purple Ink Press, The Fourth River, MER, Craft Talks, Barrel House with kind offers to help staff the LBP table while she grabbed something from the concession stand.
Poet Jen Browne, who organizes the annual Indie Lit Fest at Frostburg State University, models her handset letterpress notecard, designed and printed by Ryan Kaune.
Poet Jennifer Blackledge meets Amy Lee in person for the first time! Jennifer's chapbook manuscript, 1-800-PACK-RAT, was selected as First Runner-Up by our 2025 judge, Stacey Waite
(Amy Lee swiped this pic from a tag in Facebook -- it's so hard to remember to take pictures!)
Author of the chapbook Skydog, Jan Beatty, is a big believer in the power of stones, just read her poetry! Jan stopped by the LBP table and gifted the stone pictured to Amy Lee! It worked wonders.
Pictured above are the backs of the handbound chapbooks, a picture of the city of Baltimore, and an example of a letterpress notecard offered by Lefty Blondie Press.
It is an amazing opportunity to attend this conference dedicated to meeting fellow writers, editors, and publishers and to connect locally and nationally. Thank you to all who support the mission and vision of Lefty Blondie Press!
Lefty Blondie Press First Chapbook Award
Submit your chapbook manuscripts from JANUARY 1 - MARCH 31, 2026
2026 chapbook contest judge:
We welcome poetry chapbook manuscripts written by those who:
self-identify as a woman or non-binary individual
40+ years old
writing in English
have yet to publish a poetry chapbook or full-length poetry book before September 30, 2026
Pay-what-you-can reading fee via Duosuma tip jar!
All tip jar donations support LBP's mission
to promote the poetry of self-identifying women and non-binary people.
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