Whatever writers’ conference you choose to attend, you should
feel good about doing it: you’re taking an important and useful step toward
realizing your literary dreams.
There
are a lot of ways new authors can educate themselves about publishing and
engage with the larger literary community. One is to join local writing groups.
Another is to read blogs or become a Goodreads contributor.
But
of all the means of jump-starting a writing career, perhaps none is more
effective than attending a leading writers’ conference. In
fact, even if you’re just aiming to become a better writer, you should attend a
writers’ conference. Here’s why.
You’ll learn from professionals
A
primary perk of attending writers’ conferences is the opportunity to learn
about the craft and the industry from professionals.
You
can do this by signing up for sessions, enlisting in workshops, or engaging in
talks. The people who conduct the workshops and lead the sessions are often
experts in the fields of writing or publishing. It’s hard to imagine a place
where so many educational and inspirational resources are readily accessible.
Writers’
workshops also offer the chance to have your manuscripts critiqued — usually by
industry insiders who are willing to offer personalized suggestions for
improving your writing.
You’ll meet other writers
Where
else can you meet hundreds of dedicated, interesting writers and publishers all
at varying stages in their careers? It’s another major benefit of attending
writers’ conferences. Chances are, you’ll meet someone with whom you really
connect, and who knows what could come of that? You might start trading drafts
or your new contact might even be able to connect you with an agent.
Writing
is a solitary activity — publishing is not. That means you need to network and
meet other writers and publishers who share the intensity and enthusiasm for
writing as you do.
At
the very least, you’ll make connections that will motivate you, but it’s also
possible you’ll make valuable connections who can later review or otherwise
endorse your books. You’ll also garner important nuggets of wisdom. Wherever
you are on the road to success, you will meet others who have been there before
and who are ready to help you.
You’ll meet editors and agents
Another
thing you can count on at writers’ conferences is learning very useful
information about the publishing landscape. In addition to writers, you’ll meet
editors and agents who are looking for people who have a book or book idea that
might make money for them — like you!
You
might even have the chance to sit down with them face-to-face. This process is
not only more likely to land you an agent than submitting your work to a slush
pile, it’s also the best way to learn about what agents and editors are looking
for, how the industry works, and which next step is best for you to take in
pursuing your literary dreams.
You’ll get feedback
When
attending a writers’ conference, one thing you’ll be sure to do is share your
idea for your book with other writers and folks in the publishing industry. In
doing this, you’ll learn a lot about the legitimacy and potential of your
particular idea as well as how to improve your pitch when it really counts. The
responses you receive in the moment will prove to be some of the best feedback
you ever get.
And
that feedback is powerful. Every time you share your book’s concept, the
direction you need to take your book in — along with what changes you might
need to make — will become clearer.
You might find a new market for your work
Conferences
attract all kinds of writers. Some of them will likely write for markets you
haven’t considered. They might even know of a publication that uses the kinds
of things you write or a publisher who is looking for a book like yours.
Meeting
these folks really does open doors, and a writers’ conference is one of the
only places you can make so many connections.
You’ll leave inspired
Sure,
you might meet another writer or publishing insider who can change your life —
that really is a possibility — but there are other lessons, insights, and bits
of wisdom available at these conferences that make them worth the trip.
Sessions,
meet-ups, and happy hour gatherings can present unforeseen opportunities, along
with lots of practical information you can put to immediate use. You might
attend a seminar on how to prepare the paperwork for your nonfiction book
proposal, how to format a manuscript, or how to send a query to an editor.
Whether
you’re a newbie or a pro, these conferences offer the sort of nuts-and-bolts
knowledge that can improve your writing and increase your efficiency in the
business side of the craft.
At
the very least, you’ll leave inspired. It’s invigorating to be surrounded by
other writers — all that energy, hope, and determination is like a kind of
electricity buzzing in the air. It’s infectious. I guarantee you’ll leave the
first writers’ conference you attend hungrier than ever to actualize your
writing dreams.
You can write it off as a business expense
Yes,
you’ll get a tax break for attending a writers’ conference even if you haven’t
started making money yet.
Look, at the end of the day, the proof is in the
pudding. Ask just about every author who has attended a writers’ conference,
and they’ll tell you the same thing: these conferences can catapult your
writing career. They offer answers and clarity, wisdom and inspiration. They
might even help you make a connection that changes your life.STEVEN SPATZ
Bookbaby
