This professional development opportunity will aim to prepare and better utilize the English department's retreat to Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference in Portland. We will read novels by authors presenting at the conference, review the extensive conference program to maximize our attendance, finalize plans for the conference, and carry out some of the actionable opportunities provided by the conference after it happens. 

https://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/overview

Authors include: Colson Whitehead, Cheryl Strayed, Jesmyn Ward, Karen Russell, and Paul Beatty to name a few.