The lobby is like a jigsaw puzzle with 300 people trying to figure out where to go next. Books go from one hand to another and tables piled with printed material decorate the area. You stand there and it occurs to you, "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all."
Many conferences take place each year for writers of different genres. A good writer's conference offers a nourishment to the writer--the kind that feeds the soul and brings new life to the fingers that perform the special magic on the keyboard.
So why should one spend the money on a conference?
I have been going to conferences for several years and have come up with five reasons why every writer should consider going to a conference.
You learn something. If you have written the next best seller and want to know as much as you can about the craft of writing, a conference is the place to be.
You network. Always take business cards with email information with you. Distribute them to everyone who will take one.
You market your work. Memorize a one or two sentence pitch that tells about your book and be enthusiastic when others ask about it which they do at a writer's conference. Market yourselfr. That markets your work. Participate in the workshops by commenting or contributing to discussions. Be personable and friendly. Editors and agents want authors that peiople will like and that will connect to the readers.
You meet with specific editors and agents that might have an interest in publishing your manuscript. If you do not have one ready now, set a goal to have a manuscript finished by the conference. Take advantage of the opportunity.
You get to hang around with those that are like-minded. There is a comradery. You find a place to belong with people who have something in common with you.
Conferences are where we can learn from the best, take our best with us, be our best and show and tell to others about our best.
If you haven't ever considered attending a writer's conference, research one in your particular genre and consider making the investment. Conferences help to feed the writer inside of you.
Maybe I will see you there.
Paula
Great post. Conferences are a great way to learn more about the craft and business of writing and a key point for networking. In fact, it was through a little conference networking last year that I found my current publisher (Sonfire Media).
ReplyDeleteThomas Smith
Author of Something Stirs