Hello all, I’m taking a little break from the subplots posts to write a special blog about writers conferences. I know there has been other information by other agents on this topic, but I wanted to put my thoughts down and share them with you.

If you’re a writer seeking publication, I won’t say conferences are a must; but they sure do help on the journey to seeing your book in print. That statement is for those who wish to be published by a traditional house. However, if you’re indie publishing, don’t tune out just yet. You can definitely still benefit from attending conferences.

So, what are the benefits of a writers conference? Here are a few:

• Networking Opportunities: Meet other writers, editors, agents, and publishers, building valuable connections that can advance your career. It sounds mercenary, and I don’t mean it that way. Go with an open hand and attitude.
• Learning from Experts: Attend workshops and panels led by successful authors and industry professionals to gain insights and improve your craft. A conference has all of these professionals in one place. You get to soak up tons of information in a matter of days that would normally take you months to years to learn.
• Inspiration and Motivation: Engage with like-minded individuals and get inspired by their stories, experiences, and successes. Here’s where being around like-minded people can really spark your own creative juices.
• Pitching Opportunities: Present your work to agents and publishers in one-on-one sessions, increasing your chances of getting published. Fifteen-minute appointments with an agent or editor can be intimidating, but they are great opportunities to sell yourself and your work.
• Feedback on Your Work: Usually, there are paid critiques available from industry professionals. You send in your work ahead of time, the editor, agent, or experienced author reviews it and critiques it. Then sits down with you at the appointed time during the conference and discusses it with you. This can be priceless learning time for you.
• Latest Industry Trends: Stay updated on current trends, market demands, and new technologies in the publishing world. It seems like trends are always changing, and staying on top of things is tough. But in this place with industry professionals, you can learn what you need to know quickly.
• Skill/Craft Development: Participate in hands-on workshops that focus on specific writing skills, genres, and techniques. This is a wonderful opportunity. Usually, you have to sign up in advance for this kind of workshop, so be sure to read everything on the conference website to find out.
• Personal Growth: Gain more confidence in your abilities, and develop a stronger commitment to your writing journey. When you discover that you’re right where you’re supposed to be, this does wonders for your self-esteem and drive to write.
• Access to Resources: Gain access to writing tools, reference materials, people who work in the job you’re researching, and industry publications that can support your writing journey.
• Building Writing Habits: Learn tips and strategies for establishing and maintaining productive writing routines. I don’t know about you, but I need all the help I can get in this area! But remember, don’t compare yourself to others. You do you. What works for one person may not work for you.
• Mentorship Opportunities: Connect with experienced writers who can offer guidance and mentorship to help you navigate your writing career. Some conferences even offer mentor appointments. Even if you’re not pitching anything, just talking to someone who has been where you are is gold.
• Contests and Awards: Enter writing contests held at the conference, which can provide recognition and boost your writing credentials. I finaled, but didn’t win. But you know what? That’s okay. I enjoyed the moment of being a finalist, and there are always other contests to enter.
• Collaborative Projects: Find potential collaborators for coauthoring books, writing anthologies, or other creative projects. This actually happened to me at the conference I was at last week. From that conference came the idea for an anthology with two other writing buddies. How cool is that?
• Understanding the Business Side: Learn about the business aspects of writing, including contracts, royalties, marketing, and self-publishing. There are always great classes on this topic. I always want to soak up every minute of this kind of information.
• Fun and Enjoyment: Enjoy a vibrant and creative atmosphere, making the experience enjoyable and memorable. And this is the icing on the cake. Writing conferences are just plain fun! So, find the conference you want to go to, calculate how many months you have to save until you have to pay the early-bird price, and figure out how much you need to save per month. Then you will find yourself on the way to one of the best experiences of your life!

What about you? What’s your take on writing conferences? Have you been? Did you enjoy it? Hate it? Would you go again? Fill me in! I want to know.