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| HNS Reception - photo by Adelaida Lucena-Lower |
Recently I attended the Historical Novel Society's conference in San Diego, where I was a panelist with three other authors, all of whom have a stack of best-sellers to their credit. Flights cross-country, hotel room prices, and conference fees can add up pretty quickly, and people have asked me, are conferences really worth the price? My answer is an unequivocal yes. First, you know that anyone there has an interest in your genre, or at least, in books and what makes them great. Secondly, no matter where you are in your writing career, you can always find workshops that will give you fresh knowledge, and improve your writing. I attended a workshop on Writing Gay Characters, and took notes like crazy--even spoke with one of the panelists who said he would gladly look over some scenes I was not sure were right. Thirdly, of course, are the pitch sessions, where you can meet that editor or agent you've been wanting to talk to, face to face. Add to all these benefits the networking, one of the most enjoyable parts of the conference. At one meal, I sat next to an author who I later learned sang in a group that does medieval music. What a coincidence! She and I started talking, and she knew I had written The Tapestry Shop, my 2010 release about a trouvere, one of the wandering poet/musicians in northern France during the thirteenth century. After I returned home, she wrote me that she read my book on her return flight, plus she send me a nice review. At a reception one evening, I met the author Karleen Koen, whose recent release, Beyond Versailles, intrigued me with its title. I am about halfway through the novel and loving it, and I loved meeting Karleen, a talented and intriguing personality.
Are conferences worth it? Of course, and in this changing industry, I believe writers' conferences are more important than ever, not only for the reasons I mentioned, but to keep track of what lies ahead on the horizon--for authors and publishers and agents. Right now I'm looking forward to the Colorado Gold conference in September, sponsored by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Maybe I'll see some of you there.
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12 comments:
Great post. I love conferences, big national ones and the little one-day local ones. Writers spend so much time alone writing, it's always a boost to be around those who understand the voices in our heads!
I agree that conferences are worth it, especially if you have the opportunity to meet your editor or agent. I started attending RWA conferences in 2002 and in 2003 I met an editor who eventually bought a book of mine in 2005. The smaller conferences are also great. I always take away something very worth the price of admission.
Nice summary. I haven't gone to one of the big conferences yet, but have attended a few local small ones, which I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people.
Good blog, Joyce. I attended five RWA conferences since 2003. I remember feeling lost at the first one, but by the second I knew enough writers who introduced me to others and I enjoyed it tremendously. In my opinion you can gain more from some small conferences. For example the FRW Cruise with your Muse conference is amazing. You mingle non-stop with editors and agents, and end up with several requests. I try to attend two conferences every year.
Excellent post, and very interesting. You make such good points, and some of them that I hadn't considered.
thanks!
Hi Anna, and thanks for stopping by. You make a good point, and one I didn't include. Writing is an isolated profession, and conferences bring us from our offices and into the real world, to recharge, so thanks for the reminder.
Lynne: You are so right. Networking is a huge part of a conference, and you never know who you'll meet. Thanks for stopping by.
Clover: You are right. The small conferences are just as worthwhile, and in some ways, can work out better, because they are "up close and personal". Thanks for the comment.
Hi Mona: I agree, small conferences work well, and carry all the benefits. I think it's an investment we have to make if we're serious writers. Thanks for coming by.
Hi Beth: Glad you dropped by my place, and thanks for the comment. I love conferences, and hope my post inspires more people to attend one, even in these economically-stressing times.
Great post, Joyce. I couldn't agree more. Conferences and workshops are worth every, if not just for the energy they create in us.
Autmn: Hi, and thanks for stopping by. You're right, a bit of "writerly talk" gives us that extra spark we need to keep us going. Thanks for the comment.
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