As you know, I’ve been traveling this week. It took me 11 hours to get to White Plains, New York Thursday and another 11 hours waiting in airports, changing planes and flying yesterday to get back home. (My luggage caught up with me hours later.)
Is it worth the expense, time and (perceived) hassle to attend writers’ conferences? Those of you who have attended good conferences know the answer to this question. Those who have not, may wonder: What goes on at a writers’ conference?
• You will, most likely, have the opportunity to learn from experts and professionals. Depending on the conference and the committee’s choice of speakers, you might learn more about social networking, how to develop stronger characters, how to approach a publisher, how to write a book proposal, ideas for promoting your book, how to keep a freelance writing business going and so much more.
• You’ll have many opportunities to talk casually—one-on-one—with experts and professionals.
• You’ll be afforded numerous opportunities to connect and network with other writers/authors.
• You might be able to make appointments with the magazine editors and/or publishers of your choice to discuss your project. (This is offered at some conferences and not others.)
• Most likely, you’ll be invited to attend banquets and hear major authors or other professionals speak—highly educational and inspirational.
What will you take away from a well-organized conference?
• Lots of new information and perspectives. As you know, I’m a freelance writing/publishing veteran and I always learn something of value when I am invited to speak at these conferences.
• Inspiration. You will be so inspired to write or you’ll be so filled with new promotional ideas that you won’t know where/how to start implementing them all when you get home.
• Courage. Yes—you may finally find the courage to start that novel or write that article or get out and really promote that book.
• New associations and friendships. A writers’ conference brings together like-minded people with whom you can relate. Unlike your non-writing friends and family, they will understand when you talk about your passion for writing or how it feels to be rejected. They will appreciate your sense of joy at landing a publisher, agent or writing job.
• Connections. Most of the writers/authors as well as the seminar leaders that you meet will welcome your questions, comments and continuing support beyond the conference. You can share your successes with a fellow author, ask one of the workshop leaders for a recommendation or reference with regard to a project, shoot an email to an editor you met with a question, for example.
But, as is the case in almost anything you do, any organization you belong to, your friendships, etc., you will get out of it what you put into it. If you research the conferences, attend the one that suits your needs best and participate to the fullest, you will benefit in ways that you cannot even imagine.
Redesign of my Website
I’m getting ready to do a redesign of my website. I got lots of ideas this weekend. Visit my website and tell me your ideas. How can I make this site more useful to you? While you’re there, be sure to purchase your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Wrap it up as a special gift for you this holiday season. If you are writing a book or you have a book that is struggling in the marketplace, you WILL benefit from this book.
My Conference Experience
By the way, even though there were dozens of books being signed Saturday by 30 authors at the Cat Writers’ Conference in White Plains, New York, I was the only one with books on publishing and I sold out!! It makes me feel sooooo good to know that those authors and hopeful authors will make better decisions than they would have without this book.
One author had already produced a book through a pay-to-publish company. She is not happy with this company in the least! For one thing, they promised her when she signed with them months ago, that her book would be here for the Cat Writers’ Conference. She checked back with them during recent months and weeks and they told her, “Yes, it will be there.” Well, as happens so often with these pay-to-publish outfits, the books did not show up. When she called them about it, she was given the royal run-around by people that she believes are stationed all around the world and who are given cheat sheets with pat answers they are instructed to give any authors who call.
She bought my book to learn how to promote her book once she gets the copies she ordered and to help her through the publishing process the next time.