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This week: Why Writers Need Conferences Edited by: Vivian  
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I heard two comments last week that caused me to decide to write, again, about the benefits of attending conferences for writers> First I heard, "I'm a published author; I don't need to attend a conference." The other comment, "I'm just beginning; I'm not ready to attend a conference." Let me give you my "expert" advice: All writers, whether just beginning, have projects ready for feedback or ready for submission, or multi-published should attend conferences.
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Why Writers Need to Attend Conferences
All professionals attend conventions, conferences, in-service, or workshops to increase their knowledge in their field, to reinforce what they know, and to learn how to manage their business efficiently. This need to participate in conferences applies to writers as well as doctors, CEOs, and teachers. If other professionals attend workshops or in-service sessions at least once or twice a year, whether beginners in their fields or veterans of many years, then so should writers whether beginning or experienced.
My experience attending writing conferences has been that at least some of the sessions gave me help in various areas of my writing career. Sessions about free publicity and killer press releases gave me hints that will aid in marketing my books (remember, even if a major publisher picks up your book, you as the author are responsible for much of your own marketing and publicity). Another session let me know what publishers want in children's books. Yes, over the years I found a couple of boring sessions and a few time periods that offered nothing I was interested in hearing, but overall I learned much. Let's consider what you can gain by attending a writing conference.
Published authors might find out new trends in material publishers want. They could hear a different way to maintain tension throughout a manuscript that would make their next novel even better. I have over eight published novels, yet I still attend at least two conferences a year. I learn at least one thing to improve my writing, my marketing, or my approach to adding to my followers at each one. At the LexiCon Writers Conference last week, one speaker gave a presentation about adding micro tension to each scene in a story or novel. The information I gained will help me hone my skills because he had suggestions I hadn't heard about or gained on my own.
Another benefit for published authors is gaining recognition. At conferences, we meet and network with other writers (who also read, therefore buy, books), agents, editors, publishers, and beginning writers -- all who like attaching a face to a name. I have had major, big named authors tell me that they never realized they, too, could learn from a writing conference, from others not as well known or famous as they who also discovered they could and should learn more. If we aren't learning and improving, we are dying.
Beginning writers to writers with projects ready for submission have the opportunity to learn more about writing, editing, submitting, and marketing at conferences. At the OWFI (Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc.) conference, I listened to Jerry D. Simmons give excellent advice for writers concerning marketing. Oh, I know beginners wonder why they would need to know about marketing, but all authors must market and promote their own books. Some of that promoting should start before the book is available. Also, many sessions are given at conferences to help writers write better, to hone their skills, no matter what level they may be in their chosen "job," even if they write as a hobby.
Conferences can be found all across the United States as well as in Canada. Some have thousands of attendees; others, as few as 100. Some cost a thousand dollars plus transportation, hotel room, and meals. Others cost considerably less. The two I attend each year cost less approximately $150 - $200 for registration plus transportation, room, and meals. Having a roommate helps with room cost. Taking food helps with cost of meals (most hotels have a refrigerator and microwave). Transportation for the two I attend is my minivan. Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. (OWFI.org) holds their conference in the Oklahoma City area. LexiCon (lexi-conwritersconference.com) is at Denton, Texas, a three hour drive south across the Red River. Both conferences offer a big bang for what they cost. What I gain is priceless.
I'll have to admit I save on costs by working at the conferences I attend, am a presenter most years. But, I saved funds to go for many years. I applied for scholarships. I entered contests and put any prize money into a fund so I could attend. Finding excuses not to attend conferences is easy, but we lose when we don't go.
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For Authors: July 22, 2015 Issue [#7112]
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