This is an
ongoing series designed to give writers guidelines on where & when
to spend your money.
If you missed
the first three posts in the series you can find them here:
Writing Conferences—When
Am I Ready for One & Which One Should I choose
I have my
favorites, of course! But just because they’re my favorites doesn’t mean they
are the best choice for YOU. I’ve tried to break it all down and give you some things to consider so you can make an informed decision.
The first thing
you should consider is your experience level. You need to look at where you are
with your writing, that will be the biggest factor in your decision. As you
look at the categories realize that your experience may overlap.
Beginner
- Never submitted anything for publication.
- Hasn’t told many people he writes.
- Has submitted a couple of things, but nothing published.
Advanced
Beginner
- Has several rejection letters and a couple of acceptances.
- Is a member of a local or online writing group.
- Regularly reads articles or books about writing.
Intermediate
- Has attended a writers event (either a workshop, conference or online class).
- Has an idea of where he wants to go with his writing.
- Has been paid for his writing.
Advanced
- Spends time each day working at the craft of writing and has an income derived from writing.
- Has definite goals and aspirations for his writing.
Once you know
which group you fall into, it’s easier to evaluate each individual event. There
are 2 reasons to attend a writers event.
- To learn more about the craft of writing .
- To network with professionals within the writing world .
Here’s a
general breakdown of what is usually offered at each kind of event.
These events
vary slightly, so the following information is generalized. You should read all
brochures and websites carefully to know what to expect.
Large,
National Writing Conference
Expect lots of
classes for a wide variety of writers - from beginner to advanced.
- Continuing Classes – these are classes that last for more than one class period and concentrate on one subject. Even though they are continuing, they rarely provide advanced information on a given subject.
- Workshops – these are classes that give an introduction to a concept (like dialogue, plot or setting).
- Breakouts or Panels – these are groups of professionals giving instruction on a given subject. The information here is usually very basic.
- Appointments with Faculty – most large conferences include a private appointment with a member of the faculty. This is where you would pitch a book or article idea to an editor. It can also be valuable to let a seasoned author look at your writing and give one-on-one feedback.
Regional or
Local Writing Conference
These tend to
have more classes for the beginner and advanced beginner writer, although there
are exceptions. Depending on the length of time, the conference will
follow the same basic setup as a national conference.
Workshop or
Seminar
Many of these
are very specific in what they offer. They aren’t for a large number of writers
and generally target the intermediate or advanced writer.
The important
thing to remember is that it’s never a good idea to write in a vacuum. I have
always tried to attend one large conference a year—as a student—to expose
myself to the writing industry, both for networking and education. I also try
to attend at least one focused workshop or seminar each year I and I try to
keep my eyes open for online writing courses and take at least two a year.
Let's share our experiences with specific conferences and events. Leave comments about ones you've attended and how they've helped your writing
journey.
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