WRITERS’ CONFERENCES – TO GO OR NOT TO GO

April 30, 2012 by ellaquinnauthor

I returned last night from the Chicago Spring Fling. Exhausted. This was my second writers’ conference and I had a blast. I met people I’d been on line with and people who knew people I’ve either met or am still on line with, agents and editors. There are classes on craft and the business of writing. The editor/agent panels are a wealth of information about the market and what they are looking for.

You get a chance to pitch your book to an agent, if you’re looking for one and/or an editor. Even some of the houses that don’t accept unagented authors will have editors at a conference. This can be very valuable when it comes to a book that you keep getting rejections for. I attended the NJ conference in October and pitched Phoebe. I got requests for partials from everyone. That immediately told me that I had a query problem in my query letter. When I got rejections, they were very helpful. I realized that I needed to go back and re-write.

I got to talk about my writing journey and listened to others talk about theirs. This is my second conference and it reinforced my opinion that writers, especially romance writers are some of the most generous people in the world. And I’ve been around the block a few times.

For most of us, cost is a factor. But there are ways to spend less. Get a roommate. All you have to do is contact one of the conference coordinators. Try to find someone who’s arriving around the same time you are and share a cab. Or contact the hotel and ask if they can recommend a shuttle service. If you can only afford one conference, research the classes and who in the way of agents and editors will be there.

If you’ve been to a writers’ conference tell me how you felt about it.

Posted in Uncategorized | 35 Comments

35 Responses

on April 30, 2012 at 11:19 | Reply caseamajor

I love conferences. I wish I could attend them all. Unfortunately, I can’t afford it. But they are a great way to get your name and your product out there for people to see.
- on April 30, 2012 at 11:36 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  I’d love to go to more than a couple a year. I’m looking forward to meeting you at one.
on April 30, 2012 at 11:27 | Reply Carole St-Laurent

I love writer’s conferences. It’s the best way to network and meet new people. I try to go whenever I can.
- on April 30, 2012 at 11:35 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  I agree. Thanks for posting.
on April 30, 2012 at 11:28 | Reply Loni

I went to my first one last year. Unfortunately I couldn’t afford this year. But had a blast, learned so much and met some wonderful people. Looking forward to attending more in near future.
- on April 30, 2012 at 11:35 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  So sad that it’s not in your budget this year. Maybe we can meet at one next year.
  - on April 30, 2012 at 12:10 Loni
    
    Absolutely! I hope so.
    Hugs!
on April 30, 2012 at 11:32 | Reply SD Writer

I just got back from Desert Dreams in Scottsdale, Arizona. What I love about a writer’s conference is that it can be just the thing to shift you out of a rut–and it’s a great way to get focused on making writing a priority. You always get to meet new friends (writers who understand writers), and hang out with friends that are sometimes only met at conferences due to living in different parts of the countyr.
- on April 30, 2012 at 11:34 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  I agree. I love them.
on April 30, 2012 at 11:55 | Reply Brenda

I’m making it one of my life’s missions to one day attend a writer’s conference.
- on April 30, 2012 at 12:03 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  Hi Brenda. You need to do it sooner than later. There a lot of fun. Not much sleep though.
on April 30, 2012 at 11:57 | Reply Alyssa Everett

I was at Spring Fling, and I totally agree that it was a wonderful experience and a great place to meet generous and supportive colleagues. I’m trying to attend more conferences now that my first release day is approaching. My next conference will be the Lori Foster Reader & Author Get Together at the end of May. I’ve never attended that one before, but it as the added attraction of including romance fans as well as writers.
- on April 30, 2012 at 12:02 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  I so enjoyed meeting you. Your next conference sounds like a great on.
on April 30, 2012 at 11:59 | Reply Jennifer Lowery

Sounds like a productive and fun weekend! I love writer’s conferences! It’s a fun time to recharge your batteries and find inspiration. Great ideas on saving money too. That is always a factor for me.
- on April 30, 2012 at 12:01 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  Hi Jennifer. I met one of your chapter mates, Cindy.
on April 30, 2012 at 12:15 | Reply Linda Kage

I LONG to attend a writers conference. And even though I’ve never been one, I’d totally say if you have the chance, every writer should attend one. I just know how much I get from going to my chapter meetings and retreats. I can only imagine a conference is like that….times a hundred!
- on April 30, 2012 at 12:33 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  You’ll get there one day. I wish I had a chapter around that didn’t require me to get on an airplane.
on April 30, 2012 at 12:17 | Reply D'Ann Lindun

I’ve only been to one big one. I didn’t enjoy it. I found it incredibly stressful. Glad you enjoyed yourself.
- on April 30, 2012 at 12:32 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  D’Ann. I’ve heard RWA Nationals is a zoo. Try one of the smaller ones.
on April 30, 2012 at 12:18 | Reply jbrayweber

Love writer conferences. We never stop learning and there is always something to take away from the conferences. The experiences are amazing. But the networking and the friends you make are golden!

As a side note, I’ll be attending my 4th RWA conference this summer. I will also be attending my 4th fabulous Lone Star conference in October put on by Northwest Houston RWA. Next year, I hope to attend RT. 🙂
- on April 30, 2012 at 12:32 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  I absolutely agree with you. They are great experiences.
on April 30, 2012 at 13:29 | Reply Angelyn

Just got back from Desert Rose in Phoenix this past weekend. I so enjoy socializing with other writers. Looking forward to seeing everyone at National this summer!
- on April 30, 2012 at 14:34 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  You’ll see me there. Thanks for posting.
on April 30, 2012 at 18:13 | Reply C. K. Crouch

I attended a Dallas conference hosted by Dallas Area Romance Authors. It was so much fun. I have never been to Nationals or any other major conference. I have had fun attending one day Mini Conferences hosted by my home chapter in East TX. I am hoping to attend RWA Nationals in Atlanta next year. It is close enough to drive and afterwards I can slide on over to the Savannah area and hook up with my niece-in-law and the kids. My nephew is deploying to Afghanistan but I can see Jenn and the kids. If for some reason that falls through I will be in San Antonio in 2014. That conference is about 2 hours down the road.
I like the idea of sharing a room would be fun so you could make online friends into face to face friends. Hope to see you in Atlanta next year. IF not we can always meet online. 🙂
- on April 30, 2012 at 22:59 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  KC, thanks. I hope to see you too.
on April 30, 2012 at 21:05 | Reply Ally Broadfield

I’ve attended two SCBWI conferences, but have yet to get to one of the RWA conferences. My kids are still at that age where it’s difficult to get away. In any case, I think conferences are wonderful. I love meeting new people and seeing those I’ve only known on line in person. I also think they’re very motivating. I wish I could go to RWA National this year, but it’s not in the budget (hard to convince the family that mom going to the RWA conference qualifies as our family vacation for the summer!).
- on April 30, 2012 at 22:58 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  You need to work harder on them. This on is actually next to Disney World.
on April 30, 2012 at 22:51 | Reply authortonikelly

Ella, I’ve been to one conference and I absolutely loved it but you are right in that they are pricy. Only makes me want to take full advantage of one. Thanks for your tips, they’ll be very helpful next time around.
- on April 30, 2012 at 22:57 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  Toni Kelly, Thank you.
on May 1, 2012 at 07:10 | Reply Jo Anne Pinney

I just got back from RT…last year I went to RT and RWA. I think the conferences are important. As I’m still writing my first manuscript, I’ve mostly been soaking up all the info, like a sponge. But, if you consider your writing a business and not a hobby, I think the conferences are an important way to network and have opportunities that you wouldn’t normally have.
- on May 1, 2012 at 08:59 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  Jo Anne. I agree. And for me, writing is a passion, but it’s also a business.
on May 3, 2012 at 00:10 | Reply SOS Aloha

Aloha, Ella! I recently returned from RT (as a blogger) – you can imagine the cost from Hawaii! But it was worth every penny to soak up the atmosphere among people who love books (I don’t find that often on Oahu).

I am attending the RWA National Convention for the same reasons … plus to network my book blog, SOS Aloha!
- on May 3, 2012 at 10:55 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  I know what you mean. I feel sort of alone here in St Thomas.
on May 26, 2012 at 11:28 | Reply Marika Weber

As an aspiring writer, I would love to go to one. But RT and RWA are just too expensive. 😦

Great post Ella!

Marika
- on May 28, 2012 at 19:13 | Reply ellaquinnauthor
  
  Try one of the small regional conferences. They are usually pretty inexpensive.