Is it worth the expense and your time to attend a writers’ conference? 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. These keynote speeches can be 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.
Sign up this year for a writers’ conference near you—or travel to the one that sounds like the best fit for you. As I suggested yesterday, do a Google search to find the right conference. Or search the Shaw Guides, here: http://www.writing.shawguides.com
I can tell you that you’ll find conferences in Tennessee, Florida, Oregon, Washington, New York, Minnesota, North Carolina, West Virginia, Wyoming, Indiana and many sites in California: San Diego, Mendocino, Orange, San Francisco and others. So you may not even have to travel far.
Just study the conference description before signing up to make sure that the conference offers what you need at this point in your writing/publishing experience.
Catscapades Update
I’m having so much fun promoting Catscapades, True Cat Tales and receiving comments from happy readers. Doesn’t every writer want happy readers? The comments I’m getting range from how interesting and heartwarming/wrenching some of the stories are to the quality of the photos. Many readers adopt favorite stories and favorite cats for various reasons. One of my daughters told me that she loved the book because she learned a lot about cats and a lot about her mother. Order your copy today for Mother’s Day giving:
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html Or you can purchase this book through Amazon.com.
Do you have a cat-obsessed friend who has a birthday this year? Don’t forget to order a copy of Catscapades, True Cat Tales for her or him.