Blogger: Mary Keeley
Location: Books & Such Illinois Office
Each writers conference has its individual flavors. I’ve just returned from the Oregon Christian Writers Conference where the emphasis is on teaching. Here is the list of the 12 daily, in-depth coaching tracks:
- Advanced Fiction: Five Secrets to Powerful Novels with Karen Ball
- Teen Writers: Be a Rockstar! with Caleb Breakey
- Get Ready, Get Noticed, Get Published with Alice Crider
- Fiction 101 with Randy Ingermanson
- Make Known the Mystery: Writing the Christian Mystery Novel with Mindy Starns Clark
- Poetry: Write the Real with Gail Denham
- Focused Idea to Finished Proposal: The Nonfiction Book Journey with Linda Clare
- Revising Your Fiction with Andy Meisenheimer
- Marketing 101-401 with Jim Rubart
- Finding the Story in Everyday Experiences: Writing Powerful Narrative Nonfiction with Sherri Langton
- Youth Fiction Still Sells if It Sizzles and Pops with Jeannie St. John Taylor
- The Heart of the Matter: Inner Journey of Your Character with Susan May Warren
Think you could find something that would help your writing right now from that group? Aren’t your writing senses invigorated as you scope the options? Not to mention the 40 workshops also taught by industry experts. It would be practically impossible to choose just one. Fortunately, all of them were taped and available for purchase, allowing conferees the opportunity to multiply their expert–level learning experience for the price of the conference and tapes.
One of the attendees at OCW was an 18-year-old girl who took three flights from Alaska—alone—to get to the conference. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. She came for the teaching and felt she was rewarded beyond her greatest expectations. And she was able to make valuable connections with agents and editors. We’ve all heard from more than one source that many editors will only consider submissions from authors they met at a writers conference or from an agent.
This is but one example of a variety of fine writers conferences. So this story bears repeating. Writers conferences are one of the best values I know.
What’s the greatest benefit you’ve experienced at a writers conferences? What conference(s) are you thinking about including in your personal budget next year?
Mary, there’s nothing like attending the same event where everyone shares a mutual connection–be it reading, writing, representing, or publishing the books we all love so much.
I’m so looking forward to the ACFW conference soon! Not only will I get to dish about books, but to do it in a Christ-like atmosphere, as well. Heaven! (Well, the next best thing to it…)
As for the 18-year-old girl at the recent OCW conference–that young lady already proves she has what it takes to soar.
Wow, That does sound like a great line-up, Mary!
For me, ACFW is the must-attend conference every year (assuming the finances are available). I really enjoy the camaraderie and the chance to meet people face-to-face.
Only have one to measure by – and Writing for the Soul by the Christian Writers Guild was incredible, though definitely one to budget for.
Getting real time, face to face feedback when discussing projects is incredible, as “that sounds interesting” can be said in many tones and body languages!
I’m heading to the Indianapolis Christian Writers conference in November and plan on Write to Publish in Chicago area next June.
I found an amazing critique group, met my agent and sold my first book all at a past OCW conference. That being said, the teaching and spiritual focus were (are) most meaningful to me. I was very sorry to miss it this year.
It was such fun seeing you at OCW, Mary!
What I enjoy about conferences is being surrounded by so many professional writers and editors/agents who are willing to share their knowledge. Many attendees joke about trying to “drink from a firehose,” but to me, it’s like going to a foreign country and being immersed in the language and culture. I always feel a tad overwhelmed, but I learn so much, so fast. I could read countless books on writing and publishing and never learn as much as I do during one conference.
Now, to get ready for ACFW. 🙂
I went to a small conference a few years back. I learned some valuable lessons on POV in a work shop.
I had hoped to make it to St Louis next month, but it’s just not going to happen this year. Work is the main problem – I won’t be able to take the time off.
I do plan to attend next year.
I absolutely love the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference! Besides learning more about the craft and business of writing and having agents and editors consider attendee’s work, it’s an opportunity to make friends with others who share our passions and be inspired by the worship and natural beauty. Unfortunately I can’t afford to go now, but maybe when the economy improves I’ll be able to attend again.
I often speak at a small conference in the San Francisco Bay Area for beginning and intermediate Christian Writers, The Castro Valley Christian Writer’s Seminar. They don’t have editors or agents there, but it offers all the other factors for a lot less money.
The story of the young woman from Alaska is inspiring. Hopefully an agent will take her under her or his wings and mentor her to find her way to publish her first novel.
I love hearing your writers conference stories and benefits gained! No matter how many you have attended, there is always more to learn, trends and publishing business information for which to be updated, additional agents and editors to meet, and other authors to befriend and share encouragement.
I’m a conference junkie. But I love retreats even more. The one I’d love to go to next is: Heart of the Novel, with Patricia Lee Gauch.
If I can just talk God into dumping a bunch of money on me…. 🙂
I predict we’re going to be hearing great things from that 18-year-old girl. I enjoyed visiting with her before my workshop at OCW. She has a servant’s heart, too–carried my tub of 52 children’s books back to my car after the workshop.
Mary, thanks for sharing highlights of a great conference.
I’ve been to the Proverbs 31 She Speaks conference (writer’s track) twice, now. While I learned a great deal about the industry, the best part is the incredible support from other writers. I didn’t know it was possible to have so many cheerleaders rooting for me. Fabulous. Next year I’m hoping to go to the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.
Ah, yes. Aren’t writers at these conferences a blessing! I’m glad she was there to help you out, Judy!
I attend two local conferences each year (assuming that a two year history is a pattern).
One is an ACW conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the other (which is upcoming) is the Breathe Christian Writer’s Conference in West Olive (west of Grand Rapids).
Next year, I hope to add a larger (which is code for more expensive) conference to my itinerary, perhaps a mentoring workshop.
I enjoy the WriteAngles Conference I attend each fall at Mount Holyoke. I joined the planning committee last year, so now I feel even more connected. I would, however, like to attend Mount Hermon one year. Money is always an issue, but more than that, it’s childcare.
I also participate in the Muse Online Writers Conference each October. It’s free and totally online. While you don’t get that face-to-face connection, I’ve learned so much over the past few years.
Thanks for this great post, Mary.
It’s very difficult to budget a conference annually, or even every two years. I try to find a conference where we have another reason to go there. The Write-To-Publish Conference is close to our son in Chicago. The Glorietta Conferene (since moved and renamed) is close to my brother-in-law in Santa Fe. The Mount Hermon Conference is close to new-found cousins I’d like to visit in Cupertino, so that may be next on the list.
I’d like to say I pick conferences based on the education opportunities, the main speakers, or which agents/editors will be attending. But in fact every major expense such as a conference must be multi-purpose, or it can’t happen at all.
Mary, thank you for highlighting the OCW conference. It was a joy to have you with us, teaching and blessing our conferees and staff.
Mary,
I’m a little late posting here…but wanted to thank you for your fantastic summary of an amazing conference.
It was my first writers conference…I am hooked! Everyone was friendly, helpful and encouraging.
Loved getting to meet you and so many others involved in the “Word” world.