Valerie Witte

baby's first AWP. it's easy to read the news and feel like the world is only hate and violence. but going out into the world last week, i found that there's a lot of love and so many of us want to connect and help each other. this trip felt like holding hands with so many beloveds both familiar and new. with immense gratitude to @punctum_books for supporting me and my book, for connecting me with pressmates whose words i need, for living this truth "queer words are power."

“Baltimore. Actually, I like it.” Before the AWP conference started @marisa_crawford texted each other our reasons for going: To see friends, be in community, and re-connect with the feeling of being a writer. It was good to keep it simple this year because life feels heavy. It felt great even to briefly hug and say hi to fellow writers, as well as absorb wisdom about writing short and long essays from the two favorite panels I attended. As a bonus, I co-hosted a queer, feminist, and otherwise radical reading and open mic with @liz_flyntz at Leon’s, one of the east coast’s oldest gay bars. It was gratifying to take a DIY approach to such a huge conference and create a welcoming community space. Thank you to all who read! I am still so tired, but glad I went and already looking forward to next year.

Thank you @switchbackbooks @killerfemme @liz_flyntz for inviting me to read and be part of such amazing events. I ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥feminist books + literary community + cute friends 4ever

I had such a great time at the "Books that Refuse to Behave: Readings in Autotheory” panel at Baltimore AWP, where @shellthief and I got a chance to share about our essay collection One Thing Follows Another: Experiments in Dance, Art, and Life Through the Lens of Simone Forti and Yvonne Rainer. Press co-director @ontakragoueke did a fantastic job of facilitating a lively Q&A, and I'm starstruck by fellow panelists @laurensamblanet , @aw_strouse , and @shellthief Thank you thank you @punctum_books !

We are overwhelmed with joy at the end of our first day at #awp26! Traveling all the way to Baltimore and participating in a conference can feel like a lot, but we cherish every second of it because of our amazing community of authors and readers. We are so glad to be here.

We thank all of our authors, audience members, and the Enoch Pratt Library for hosting our offsite #awp26 reading! What an amazing night!

Come visit the @airliepress table at the AWP Bookfair (T554) in Baltimore Our author signings: Friday, March 6, 1-2p Valerie Witte, author of 'A Rupture in the Interiors' (2023) Saturday, March 7, 11a-12p Ching-In Chen, author of 'Shiny City' (2025) Saturday, March 7, 12-1p Jess Yuan, author of 'Slow Render' (2024) I'll also be reading with Jess & others at the AWP Offsite Thursday night, March 5, 8PM, The Lithuanian Hall, 851 Hollins St [image description: photo of Airlie editor & author Ching-In Chen smiling & sitting at the Airlie Press table at AWP with books, flyers, and a white banner with black text that says Airlie Press | Portland, Oregon | Poetry from the Pacific Northwest] #airliepress #pnwpoetry #awp2026 #poetsofinstagram

Going to AWP? I'm looking forward to getting a huge infusion of your writerly fabulousness. Here are a few events that might interest you; let me know what you're up to as well! Here we go . . .

Excited to read with these amazing authors this Thursday, all pressmates at punctum...Baltimore here we come! @shellthief @aw_strouse @laurensamblanet @lynnesachs1 @renamosteirin @internal_exile @l_onalee_ @eileenajoy @ontakragoueke @punctum_books

We’re heading to #awp26 with a full slate of signings, readings, and books that refuse to behave. Find us at Booth 422!! Author Signings Thursday: A.W. Strouse (2:30 PM), Lauren Samblanet (3 PM) Friday: Lynne Sachs (11 AM), Valerie Witte (11:30 AM), Sarah Rosenthal (12 PM), Rena J. Mosteirin (1 PM), A.W. Strouse (2 PM), J †Johnson (3 PM) AWP Conference Reading Books That Refuse to Behave: Readings in Autotheory Thursday, March 5 | 12:10–1:25 PM Room 325, Level 300, Baltimore Convention Center With Lauren Samblanet, Sarah Rosenthal, Valerie Witte, and A.W. Strouse Evening Offsite Reading Thursday, March 5 | 6 PM Light Street Branch, Enoch Pratt Free Library Featuring J †Johnson, Lynne Sachs, Sarah Rosenthal, Valerie Witte, Lauren Samblanet , A.W. Strouse, and Rena J. Mosteirin

Mark your calendars! punctum books will host a reading at the Light Street Branch Library during the AWP conference!

Bay Area folks! Save the date for this book launch for Elliot Harmon's posthumously released book of poems. We'll be reading poetry from the book and eating delicious vegetarian food. RSVP/ticketing info to come.