by Writing Barn Intern Macy Lane
Are you new to the writing world and curious about attending your first writer’s conference? Many of us have been in your shoes, so we thought we’d share our favorite tips for how to make the most of the conference experience. These are just ideas to consider, but hopefully, you’ll find them helpful.
Stay Tuned
These days, the best way to find information is via social media. Staying active on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok can help you stay up to date about the happenings in the writing world. Writer’s conferences are promoted through these sites daily. Find one that sparks you and follow along to learn more! Read about our upcoming 3rd Annual Nonfiction KidLit Confab HERE… For this one, we’re doing a special reduced rate for our 10-Year Anniversary!
Perks and Pricing
Many times, registration fees for conferences are reduced if you are a member of the hosting organization. The Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators has an annual membership fee but also provides discounts to all of their events and classes for members. Consider these fees an investment in yourself and the craft you love! Scholarships are another way to make events more accessible. Find out if the conference or class you’d like to attend offers scholarships and apply!
Sign Up Early
The writing world is made up of dedicated artists who show up daily, working diligently on making their dreams come true. Conferences and classes offer a wealth of information and experiences that might otherwise be hard to come by. If you see something that sparks you, don’t wait! Sign up early so that you can ensure you have access to the best experience for you. Spots fill up quickly and waitlists can be long, so don’t risk missing out!
Do Your Research
This brings us to our next point. When choosing which conference to attend or which experiences to register for, do your research! Make sure you are attending a conference that will best fit your writing needs. Research the conference faculty and get to know which member will be a good connection for you. Sadly, many of us have made the mistake of paying for a critique or pitch experience but realized all too late that we were pitching our fiction picture book to an editor looking for young adult fantasy novels! Not doing our homework cost us money, time, and a bit of unnecessary heartache.
Prepare and Keep a Calendar
Writers benefit from staying organized. If you register to attend a conference out of town/state, there will be lots of logistics to manage. Even if you’re attending a conference in your home city, you will still have details to sort out. If you pay for critique sessions or a pitch event, you will need to have manuscripts prepped and ready to send out, sometimes weeks in advance of the actual event. Don’t get caught out and have to scramble at the last minute to get things in order. Put things on your calendar well in advance and check it often.
Take Risks
It’s perfectly fine to attend a writing conference simply as an onlooker. Perhaps it’s even wise at times. But don’t be afraid to take risks either! Writing is a vulnerable craft. It’s risky to put your heart onto pages and then offer them to the whole, wide world. But remember that with great risk comes the possibility of great reward. Sign up for manuscript critiques if you can and are ready, attempt to pitch an editor with your most precious story, and sit down at tables even if you know no one else there. It won’t always be easy and it won’t even always be fun, but it could end up being worth it. And wouldn’t that be incredible?
Advocate for Yourself
While taking all of these risks, be sure to be your own best advocate. If you are having your work critiqued or are putting yourself through a pitch event gauntlet, remember that you are your own best advocate. Be gracious and kind, but also stand firm in your voice and your ideas. As a newbie in a conference hall full of writers, you’re your best cheerleader. Follow your heart and stand tall. Be proud of your work and believe in yourself. Listen to your inner voice and know that feelings of yes are most likely yesses! But also remember that those inklings of no, are probably trying to tell you something as well. If someone you meet doesn’t feel like a right fit for you, no matter how long and impressive their resume, then they probably aren’t. It’s okay to advocate and stay true to yourself.
Have Fun
Lastly, have fun! Do your best to embrace the new and exciting world of writing. Smile and meet new people who are your partners in this creative space our hearts and minds compel us to dwell inside. Open yourself to the ups and downs of the incredible ride you’ve decided to get on. Let those learning curves zig and zag you until you become the writer you’ve always known, deep down, that you were born to be!
Let us know how YOUR first writing conference or event unfolded! We’d love to hear from you!
About the Author
Macy Lane is a lifelong reader and writer currently residing in Austin, TX. Words have always been magical to her and the authors above are but a few who have genuinely and truly impacted her life. In time, she hopes to share her own stories with the world and perhaps spark the love of reading and writing in others. She plans to do this from the school bus she and her husband are converting into a tiny home so they can travel across the country!