Writing Wednesday
On Wednesdays I like to share information I picked up on my journey to being published, marketing my first book, editing and preparing to be published again. Information that I wish someone would have shared with me, back then…
If you like the information I hope you will share it!
Writer’s Conferences
For someone who spends most of their life surrounded by four walls either in front of a computer screen or with their head buried in one book after another, venturing outside of those cozy, boxy walls can be frightening. The thought of leaving our comfort zones to attend a writer’s conference in person with other actual human beings can be as uncomfortable as fingernails on a chalkboard.
Just registering to attend a writer’s conference can be expensive. When you add on classes or workshops, dinner events, travel expenses, hotels and meals the costs can quickly make attending a financial struggle.
Are these conferences worth attending?
My opinion is yes, absolutely.
If you have chosen or you are considering choosing writing as a career, writing is your business. For any type of business to be successful there must be investments made in that business.
Reasons to attend:
- You will get first hand information from publishers, editors and agents that you will be able to use immediately to further your writing career.
- To learn the latest publishing trends and other information about the business side of writing and publishing.
- The opportunity to meet with and pitch literary agents in person, they attend conferences looking for talent.
- A chance to network with other writers some will be ahead of you in their careers and some will be behind you.
- Learn about freelance opportunities.
- Be inspired by your peers, the presenters and the speakers.
- Social media is a good tool for writers but face to face communication with other writers, people who ‘get’ you is priceless.
- Because we writers spend so much time alone the face to face communication with like minded souls at a conference is priceless.
- The thought of attending can be intimidating especially if you are shy but if you can push yourself out of your comfort zone for just a few days you will make valuable contacts, gain experience, acquire knowledge and make lifelong friends.
*If you are not going to make the effort to speak to and get to know people, to put yourself out there and network then I wouldn’t spend the money to attend.*
To prepare for a conference you should have plenty of business cards made. Postcards are also good handouts and great for promoting your blog. If you have a finished manuscript, make several copies of the manuscript, several copies of your query and several of your proposal. You never know who you may run in to, in the hall. You should also practice your elevator speech, three sentences on what your book is about, a beginning middle and an end because you never know who may be riding the elevator with you. Dress comfortably but professionally.
Before you attend look up and learn as much as you can about the facilitators of any workshops or break-out sessions you are planning to attend. Write down any questions you have for them. Look up any agents, who will be attending, learn what genres they represent, a bit about their agency and who they represent. Check to see if any of your social media or blog friends are attending and make plans to meet-up with them.
Find out if the conference is holding any contests. These are usually planned well in advance, so check early and enter!
If you feel like you are too shy to get anything out of the conference take a friend with you.
If the cost is just too prohibitive for you to attend a big conference look into writing workshops being held in your area. Check your local universities or community colleges they often offer community learning opportunities that are affordable.
If you happen to live in the Philadelphia, South Jersey or Delaware area the Press Club of Pa. is offering a series of workshops for writers. The cost is only $25.00. There is more information on these workshops at the end of this post.
A List of some Writers Conferences:
www.unicornwritersconference.com
www.svwc.com/uncategorized/dates-for-svwc-2015
nonfictionwritersconference.com/2015-nonfiction-writers–conference
Find more here:http://www.shawguides.com
The Press Club of Pa. Workshops are being held the 4th Saturday of every month from 9a.m-12p.m at the beautiful Open Connections Campus in Newtown Square, Pa.For more information/registration http://www.thepressclubpa.orgOctober 25, 2014 Workshop 2: Style/Restyle Your Business/ Branding
After the workshop a fashion show on business wear and accessories for men and women. A business accessory fashion show, brief cases, laptop bags, letterhead, business cards, promotional products and more. Networking with stylists, printers and Club Representatives. November 22, 2014 Workshop 3: How to Get Your Business, Book, Product, Service, Event or Non-Profit in the News, Part 1
Networking with media professionals, producers, editors and Press Club Representatives. January 24, 2015 Workshop 4: Marketing/Advertising/Public Relations
Networking after the workshop with Marketing, Advertising and P.R. Professionals and Press Club Representatives. February 28, 2015 Workshop 5: How the News Works
After the workshop questions and answers with a panel of journalists, TV news, radio and Press Club Representatives. March 28, 2015 Workshop 6: Part 2 of Get your business etc…in the news. Come on back and practice your Polished Pitch to Radio, Newspaper, T.V, and Magazine
After the workshop networking with the professionals and Press Club Representatives. April 25, 2015 Workshop 5: Writing Workshops
After the workshop: questions and answers with a panel of published authors, Press Club Representatives, Publishing Professionals, Editors and more… May 23, 2015 Workshop 8: Book Fair – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm a whole day event!
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14 thoughts on “Writing Wednesday/Writer’s Conferences…”
These are all great tips for any type of conference! I wish I had some of these before I attended my first blogging conference a few months back! Thanks, now I will have them for the next one!
I wish I would have known some of these before my first few!
Sounds like a good event, but not in my location. We only have a couple here in Idaho, and one costs well over $200. But if I ever make it to one, I’ll keep this in mind.
I hope you get to experience one some day!
Despite the Pikes Peak Fiction Writers Conference being mere miles from me, I’ve never attended. I’ve been to only ONE writing conference ever, years ago. I’d love to go to more… often. The cost, though, is so darn prohibitive.
You’ve inspired me to seek out some less expensive options. And to make the most of it when I go. Thank you!
I hope you find one that is awesome!
These are all great tips. I love writing conferences, and hope to see you at one soon!
I hope so too!
Great information Doreen, thank you. I have only been to one, really it was a workshop, not a conference though. It was such a great experience though, and the author who ran it was superb. One of these days I hope to go to one, like the others I intend to check out some of your links, who knows maybe the day will come sooner than later.
Thank you Elin. I hope you get to experience one of the larger conferences.
You organized these resources in such a great way. This really could (and should) be a magazine or newspaper article. I hope someone can find it easily on Google because I feel it is such a great resource, not only the tips but the lists.
Thank you so much Shelley! I am hoping to put all of these post together for an e-book.
As usual, I love reading what you have to say on Wednesdays. My secret dream is to write/publish something someday. You have so many great tips and recommendations here that I will be saving this to read again. Thanks!
Thank you Wendy!