Two months ago I was very skeptical about writer’s conferences. As far as I was concerned, they were expensive and time-consuming and I wasn’t going to learn anything from them. I was pretty fixed in my opinions. I was certain that I was right….
Then someone paid for me to actually go to one (The Antelope Valley Christian Writer’s Conference) and my opinion was forever changed!
Whether you are an aspiring writer or a seasoned, published one, Writer’s conferences have something for you. Here’s why I think you should go to one and what you should expect.
The top three reasons to go:
- Networking. Like it or not, in the publishing industry, it’s as much about who you know as what you know. At a writer’s conference, you will meet aspiring authors, published authors, professional editors, agents, publishers and a whole host of other people connected with the industry. Starting and building relationships with these people will help you no end in your quest to get published.
- Education. At a conference, you will learn things you didn’t even know you needed to learn. You will discover more about the process of writing, more about what you should and shouldn’t do in your book(s), what has worked for other people, what other people have found doesn’t work, lots of different ways to make money as a writer that you probably haven’t considered and most importantly what NOT to do when writing a book proposal.
- Giving. It is always true in life that you have to give to receive. I’m sure you want to receive help, I’m sure you want to receive a contract, you’d probably even like to receive some nice royalty checks. If you want to receive all of those things from the writing industry then you need to give first. At the conference you will meet other people like you to whom you can give encouragement and support and you’ll meet the faculty who you can encourage and give feedback to. Believe me, giving is essential and will reap rewards for both you and the people you give to in many, many ways.
What not to expect:
- A contract right there, on the spot. It’s not going to happen. Sorry.
- To sign an agent. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll actually get yourself an agent at the conference. Sorry.
On the flip side of that though:
- You may just meet a publishing editor who asks you to send her (or him) your book proposal. BOOM! Your proposal just went from unsolicited to solicited. It’s not a contract or any form of guarantee but it’s a BIG step up the ladder.
- You will start building relationships with one or more agents. When you later send them your book proposal, they will have a face to put to your name. You’re no longer just an unknown nobody, you’re that person they talked with last week who made them laugh over lunch. As they read your proposal, they will start with a positive opinion of you. That’s going to help you no end.
I am quite introverted and find it hard to strike up conversations with people but at a writer’s conference, there are two opening questions you can ask anyone you talk to:
- What do you write?
- Have you been published?
I used that approach to talk to quite a few people and ended up making some great friends and meeting some really interesting people. Not only that, but since then I’ve had some incredible advice and feedback and continued to build some wonderful friendships. The experience was really invaluable to me.
I absolutely recommend that you go to a conference. If you are anywhere in southern California, the AV Writer’s Conference is a great place to start (no, I’m not on commission, I just really enjoyed it).
My biggest single piece of advice though is this:
FOLLOW UP!
There is no point in going to a conference and making new contacts and friends if you’re not going to follow up afterward. It’s just a waste of your time and theirs!
What do you think? Have you been to a writer’s conference? Would you recommend that others go?
Peter,..Now you got me started on blog…actually this is the only own I’m responding to. I thought I’d ask a similar questions about FB..about blogging..to blog or not to blog…It sure allows an outlet for the writer, who wants to share all his/her ideas, thoughts, concerns. etc. however, I’d be bad..since I don’t like to edit and I’m constantly making typos…
Writers Conferenc.e…I’ve wanted to go to a few..but have missed the last few…i really wanted to go to theone in Redding..but I had too many responsibilities here..and don’t always have the blessings of someone paying for it…I am part of two writers groups though..so that helps as well.
you should think about writing a few articles forSALT magazine.
Hi Marta,
Thanks for commenting.
I’m not familiar with SALT magazine, I’ll have to try to look them up.
As soon as I can, I’m going to sit write you an email to share my thoughts with you about social networking and the Fresno House of Prayer.
I’ve really been considering attending a writer’s conference, but so far my mindset has been much like yours was – expensive, time-consuming, and I would get nowhere. But I have to say you’ve made a good argument. Maybe I should change my mind.
I would if I were you 🙂
Encouraging words…I will definitely give it some serious thought.
BTW…I have moved back over to http://gatheringrubies.com
I really liked being on TheoBloggers Community Site, however, I was limited in what I could add to my sidebar on my blog.
I understand they have to keep it somewhat limited for security reasons.
Sorry for the confusion.
Hope you will visit from time to time,
PEter- Thanks for this post… I have also gone back and forth on this, is it worth it, or not? I have had a couple professionals even deter me from going, but easy for them to say, right? I agree that the biggest benefit might just be the networking and hobnobbing to get you a little push on the journey. No guarantees, of course. But we all have to start somewhere and blogging will only get you so far. I have put it on my list of things to do in the next year or so.
But I am oh so lazy about following through. I can see how having someone sponsor it for you makes it easier to just go ahead an do it!
Thanks for spurring me on.
Don’t think about it Bradley DO IT!
Pray about it… maybe God will supply a sponsor for you!
I don’t care how well or efficiently we communicate on the internet, there is no substitute for meeting people in person to establish credibility and make contacts. I’ve attended two writer’s conferences and would not be as far along the road to publication had I not. My family is considering what sacrifices we’re all willing to make to allow the expense of my attending the ACFW conference in Denver this September.
Thanks for sharing your experience Anne.
There is a lot of sacrifice to be made in pursuing writing but it all comes down to calling. Are you called to write and be published? If so, God will provide for what you need to do to fulfill that calling!
A hearty AMEN! re: the Lord’s provision. When God made a way for me to attend ACFW last year, my husband accused (with a smile), “You’ve been praying, haven’t you?”
When I think of a writer’s conference, I think of investment. A short term investment into a long term dream and/or career. None of us can possibly know everything there is to know about a subject so we always have room to learn…from attendees, presenters, etc. Meeting new folks who share your passion is always a boost. And, you never know, what one handshake might lead to…
Thanks for your input Kim!
For those of you who don’t know Kim, she does important stuff in a big Christian publishing house.
I just returned from my first writer’s conference, Write-to-Publish at Wheaton College near Chicago. Amazing and worth every penny! At the end of the first day, I already felt like I’d been given a week-worth of information, encouragement, inspiration and affirmation.
The organizers brought in great speakers and teachers, provided non-stop enrichment day-in and day-out, and set a tone for intense, dynamic interaction between conferees as well as ample opportunity for meeting with keynote speaker, freelance writers/speakers, editors, agents and publishers. The panel discussions provided the latest info. from the industry. The manuscript reviews and critique groups provided important feedback and guidance, as well as an opportunity to connect with a published writer or editor. (And yes, even this writer who’s been at the keyboard for just 6 months had an editor say those sweet words, “Write it up and send it to me.”)
I loved hearing other writer’s stories and encouraging them. With every relationship that started, I felt that this was just the beginning of something that would bring exciting things somewhere down the line.
But there was something beyond the learning and building of relationships–I found that the 4 1/2 days were a life-transforming. I’m not the same writer that left for Wheaton a week ago. Pray, be open and if God clears the path, go!
Mari,
I’m so glad you found my blog. Welcome to Rediscovering the Church!
Thank you for your awesome reply. I’m glad you found Write to Publish worth going to. I would have loved to have gone.
I hope lots of people read your comment and are encouraged even more to go to a conference!
I hope that everything goes well with your writing and that the editor loves your work!
God bless,
Peter