I’ve attended at least one day of a writers’ conference for the past seven or eight years. Sometimes I stay for multiple days of the conference. One of these days, I still hope to get a young adult fiction novel published, and the journey just might begin with a pitch to an agent at a writers’ conference.
Pitching to an editor or agent, honing the writing craft, and gaining current knowledge about the publishing world are obvious benefits of signing up for a few days of sessions and meetings. But is it possible that there are some bonus reasons you might pay to attend one of these tribal meetings for the creative?
1. Niche Vacation
In 2021 and 2022 when attending my chosen conference, I roomed in a big, old house on the grounds. White trim accented apple green walls, and rose-colored swags draped against the sheer curtains in my bedroom. A white fireplace and wooden dresser, vanity, and desk lent to the look of another century. The doilies and quilts would’ve fit into the décor of my grandmother’s generation. To add to the historic charm, a few steps from my bedroom door was a spiral flight of stairs leading to a square tower room free to anyone’s use. Imagine, practically a bed-and-breakfast experience combined with days of writerly content. Whether you choose to attend a conference in the Pennsylvania countryside, the North Carolina mountains, or the Philadelphia suburbs, look for ways to make the conference, not only a professional experience, but a vacation experience as well.
2. Social Interaction for the Introvert
Have you ever been in a roomful of people and not known what to say? At a writers’ conference you will have at least one thing in common with most of the people in the room—your interest and experiences in writing. “What do you write?” may be asked again and again throughout a conference. It’s a natural conversation opener you won’t find in most other gatherings, and it fits you so well. Soon you might be exchanging tidbits of current projects, genre preferences, or book suggestions. As you eat dinner with a tableful of other creatives, you’ll start chatting about other aspects of your life, too. And where is that introvert? Well, she’s still present, and she still struggles about what to say sometimes, but in this setting, she can always say, “So, what do you like to write?” and take it from there.
3. Day-job Connection
Let’s be honest. Most of us writers have another job. Throughout the school year, I teach high school electives in writing and public speaking. I also manage an elementary library—though I’m not a certified librarian. At my most recent writers’ conference, I listened to other writing mentors and even met a fellow “fake librarian” as she calls herself. Chances are that you’ll meet others in your day-job sphere too, whether you work in church ministry, education, or content writing.
Spring and summer are coming, the golden time for writers’ conferences. Now’s the time to start putting aside money for tuition. Also, keep an eye out for registration deadlines to avoid the higher price of last-minute registration. Go. Listen. Learn. Connect. Pitch. Return home with fresh determination to do this writing thing!