SLAB’s Success at AWP

Earlier this month, writers from all over the globe convened in the crowded Baltimore Convention Center for the annual AWP Conference & Bookfair. Among this conglomerate were five students and two professors representing Slippery Rock University’s own literary publication, SLAB.

SLAB Literary Magazine, a nationally recognized publication, is an undergraduate-run magazine that publishes fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, as well as some text and image pieces every year. This is how we introduced ourselves to the curious conference-goers approaching our booth, enticed by our fascinating cover art commissioned by local artists, or by our mysterious Vend-O-Rama box, a custom literature dispenser. It was wonderful to chat with inquisitive writers and prospective submitters, as well as some familiar faces and past contributors who stopped by, including former editor and writer Paul Cunningham as well as Pittsburgh-based poet and contributor Jim Daniels.

Outside of manning the booth, our task was to network with other publications. Our goal was to perform book swaps, trading a copy of our magazine with others. While we were slightly intimated at first, we quickly learned that writers are friendly people. Most magazines were more than happy, dare I say excited, to exchange copies. It was a thrilling way to meet new people as well as build a library in SLAB’s own publication room.

This experience was nothing short of incredible. It provided eye-opening insights into the vastness of the literary world and the creativity of so many writers. Walking out of the conference hall for the last time, we carried with us new networking skills, creative ideas, and personal connections, as well as bags full of new books. It’s easy to say, then, that we’re excited to see what SLAB will bring to the table in the future.

You can read my article on SRU’s LLCW blog as well: https://srullcwblog.wordpress.com/2026/04/02/slabs-success-at-awp-by-jack-pitard/