I wear blue jeans and write about New York City.

"Lastly, a writer dressed in blue jeans and a dress shirt, read from his book Fight for Your Long Day. He said in his introductory comments, “If I want to sell the book, I guess I need to let you know who I am. My name is Alex Kudera.” The audience clapped enthusiastically. His reading described a day in the life of a very tired adjunct in New York City. So much of what he dealt with Heather could relate to: trying not to leave anything behind, rushing in and rushing out of the classroom, the students desperately trying to talk while you are trying to make it to your next gig and don’t have time to listen, the colleagues and chair who say demeaning things to you but are impervious to the way they talk down to you. It felt good to laugh about it instead of the daily grind of dealing with it, day in and day out."

~~ from Adjunct Headquarters, "Subconference of the MLA" by Lydia Field Snow

next year in Vancouver

In seven hours in Chicago on Thursday, January 9, I listened to intelligent, gentle educators who want to improve the world. I feel sick and tired, but so glad I came. Start planning now to attend the MLA subconference 2015 in Vancouver, Canada.

MLA subconference

Late Wednesday, I'm due to arrive in Chicago for the MLA subconference on "Resisting Vulnerable Times," where I'll be reading from Fight for Your Long Day as part of a panel on adjunct labor and pedagogy.

Our discussion is scheduled for Thursday, January 9, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., and you should be able to watch it live here. The entire two-day program looks fantastic, and the presenters' bios are impressive. I'm excited. Nervous, too.

2014 Appearance Schedule

So far in 2014, I have a firm commitment to speak and participate at the MLA Subconference at Columbia College in Chicago on January 8 and 9, but unfortunately, I had to cancel for the College English Association Conference in Baltimore, Maryland from March 27 through 29.

Here are details I have so far for Chicago:

Subconference of the MLA: Resisting Vulnerable Times
January 8-9, 2014
Location: Columbia College Chicago
Collins Hall, 624 S. Michigan, Chicago, IL

And I'll be reading from Fight for Your Long Day and answering questions as part of this panel discussion:

Thursday, January 9
4:00-5:30 PM: Adjunct Labor and Pedagogy
Moderator: Andy Broughton
Karen Madison (University of Arkansas, New Faculty Majority Coalition)
Alex Kudera (Clemson University)

Follow this link for the full conference program.

An appearance for AWP in Seattle is unlikely although if my ship ever comes in, I'd love for this to be a conference I could attend annually with economic confidence. Mine and yours both, bud.