We write. We dance. We stand on our heads. Sometimes we do all three at the same time.

Well, there wasn't really any time at AWP to do any actual writing. We learned during the day at sessions on all things pertaining to writing and writing programs and writers and teaching writing. It all happened in the Chicago Hilton, where we stayed and spent our days trying to get into fancy elevators (with TVs) to get to sessions on time.

When we weren't in sessions during the day, we were working KU's table at the bookfair. We met lots of really cool people: other writers, some editors, some KU almuni, other programs. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to talk to us! We really enjoyed it.

When we weren't working the bookfair, we were browsing the bookfair. I can only speak for myself, but it was amazing to talk to so many different editors of journals and magazines. It really opened my eyes to all of the possibilities for publishing. And everyone was so nice. I came away with probably a dozen issues of different journals and a nice stack of submission guidelines and contests. It was fabulous.

In the evenings, we went to readings and receptions. We walked down Michigan Avenue, ate pizza, and drank drinks. We got cold and wet in the rainy wind those first few days. We met up with our UMKC and Rutgers and Alabama writer friends for evenings of camaraderie in our hotel rooms and in our floor's library and out around the hotel. We went to the dance party (with free first drinks for the first hour) at night. Oh, yeah. We danced. A program that dances together, stays together. You would love to dance with us: in a circle, in a line, to "Single Ladies."

Our professor, Deb Olin Unferth, came on Friday. She gave a reading on Friday and then went to dinner with us. She's cool. She was our biggest seller at our bookfair table. Then she spoke on a panel about the short short on Saturday. It was like our short short class...only displaced...with Robert Olin Butler...and Ron Carlson. Again, we learned.

Amy went to sessions on Writers in the Schools, a program we want to start up in Lawrence in the fall. She's really gotten us all excited about it, and from what I got to hear at their reception, it can really make an impact on students' relationship with creative writing and writing in general. So special thanks to Amy for all of her efforts with WITS, and we'll keep you updated on our progress with it in Lawrence.

What else happened? Many, many things that I'm forgetting or just don't have space for here. All I can say is that I had an amazing time with everyone. We make a great group. We all like each other. We all hung out together in Chicago. People asked us where we were from. Kansas, we said. Yes, all of us.

(Hey, Bathtub, please add your experiences at AWP to this!)