excited to jet-set around the world to writer conferences?
Writing conferences are a waste of time and money. Unless you know why you’re going.
I attended my first writing conference, the Emerald City Writers’ Conference, in my early 20s.
For writers? Check.
Local? Check.
No plan? Check.
Too scared to talk to anyone? Check.
No idea what I was doing? Check.
I went anyway, because WRITING!!
Wow. What a mistake.
The next conference I set my sights on was the Maui Writers Conference because … MAUI!! and WRITING!!
I imagined myself on the beach sipping fancy fruity froo-froo drinks, inspiration flowing off the turquoise waves directly into my brain while I leisurely typed the next bestseller on my laptop.
That didn't happen. Conferences are not cheap. The price tag held clueless me back.
(I still haven't given up my beach dreams.)
Please, do not follow my above example. Do your research. Have a plan. You’ll be 1000% better off than I was.
Over the years, and many conferences later, I’ve come up with the following reasons I attend conferences:
#1 -- Meet other writers
Writing requires necessary isolation and it can be difficult to make writer buddies in our regular lives. At a conference, you’re surrounded by people who understand what you’re going through because they’re either where you are now or have been there before. You may find a new critique partner, mentor, a compatriot in the publishing trenches, shoulder to cry on, or a lifelong friend.
#2 -- Learn from industry professions
Conferences offer the opportunity to learn about the industry from best-selling authors, literary agents, editors, cover artists, business coaches, and more. Being in the room with these experts is often worth the price of admission. Some conferences even offer the chance to meet with them in person (pitches, critique sessions, etc.). They are there because they care about the industry and want to help writers write better books. Find the ones you want to talk to and introduce yourself.
#3 -- Hang out in the bar
Some of the most unforgettable conference moments I’ve had have been after the sessions end for the day. Don’t miss the opportunity to hang out with other writers and industry professionals in the bar. Conversations are usually more casual. Pull up a chair and sit down. You’ll learn all sorts of things even if you just sit there and smile. You don’t have to drink, and you might not want to (No one wants to be remembered as the writer dancing on the table singing Livin' on a Prayer!). My go-to is always tonic water and lime.
#4 -- Recharge your battery
Conferences offer oodles of inspiration for recharging yourself. Get out there and suck some of that energy up. You’ll listen to speakers who will light you up and encourage you to keep going. You’ll meet people who will rekindle your passion and give you hope. Being in the same space as hundreds of other writers who are just as inspired as you are, is a great way to ignite your writing.
One of the main reasons I attend conferences nowadays is to continue my own education and networking.
As a book coach, it’s important that I keep educating myself. I bring new information to my clients about what’s going on with the industry, technology, techniques, craft, and so on. My continual growth helps my clients grow.
And I love getting the chance to meet and talk with writers and other industry professionals.
This weekend, I’m attending the virtual Surrey International Writers Conference.
Next month I’ll be going in person to the 20Booksto50K in Las Vegas.
(I’ve got my fun red face masks ready to go.)
As the world slowly opens, I’m looking forward to being in the room with writers again. To sit in the bar till two in the morning talking about books we’ve read, laughing about failures we’ve written, and brainstorming new ideas.
Hello!
My name is Jocelyn.
Story warrior, book lover, day dreamer, gardener, and creative. I help serious writers roll up their sleeves, get their novel ready for publishing, and reach readers. When I’m not elbow-deep in the story trenches, I’m outside world-building in my garden and battling weeds with my three criminal mastermind cats.