I’m presenting quite a case for attending a writer’s conference in the upcoming edition of the monthly SPAWN Market Update.
Have you ever attended a writer’s conference? Was it a writer’s retreat or were there workshops you could attend on a wide variety of topics of interest to writers/authors? Did the organizers invite agents and editors whom you could consult with?
Did you leave the event absolutely brimming and overflowing with inspiration, hope, ideas, knowledge and resources? That’s as it should be. If this didn’t happen for you, perhaps you attended the wrong conference for you.
It’s important to check the agenda of conferences carefully before choosing to attend. Sometimes, we will sign up for a conference because it is close by and maybe inexpensive. And why not take advantage of an event that is convenient for you to attend? That’s okay. If you are open, you will surely learn something worthwhile and you’ll certainly discover valuable resources, meet interesting people and have a good time.
Attend any conference with unreasonable expectations and you will, most likely, leave full of disappointment. I’ve observed hopeful authors resisting the very information and perspective they need in order to survive and to excel in the world of publishing because they simply weren’t ready to hear it—to take it in. There are still hopeful authors who spend more time trying to figure out how to bypass the onramp to publishing success than in going with the flow of traffic toward what is known to lead to the success they desire. They reject and resist the very information they need. They are in denial. They want to achieve publishing success, but they do not want to put in the necessary effort to do so.
“What?” they might say, “Promote my own book? No, I’m not going to do that. That’s what the publisher is for.” Truth be told (and it is being told by every professional at every turn) publishers want authors with viable marketing plans and the energy to carry them out.
A well-run writer’s conference is a great place to meet and network with other writers and professionals, to learn and to grow. I recommend that every author attend at least one. Choose the right one by studying some of the conference directories.
http://writersconf.org
http://writing.shawguides.com
http://www.allconferences.com
http://www.newpages.com/writing-conferences
Last day to sign up for Patricia Fry’s online article-writing course. http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.htm
Yup, that’s what I’m talking about, Ann.
Thanks,
Patricia