« WRITE NOW Writing Camp for Kids: Pittsburgh's Original Creative Writing Camp | Main | God Winks, Mind Blinks & Clarity of Character »
April 08, 2009
Take a Positive Approach: Attend a Conference for Writers
Currently, there's a lot of chatter on the web (and tweets on twitter) surrounding the agent-author relationship. In brief, some of the postings turned negative when several participating writers complained about certain agents' policies including the no-response-means-I'm-not-interested one (in other words, when a writer sends a query, an agent doesn't respond at all unless she is interested in seeing more of the manuscript). Writers complained that they deserved the courtesy of a "no thanks" reply, at least.
I won't continue on the subject, here, because I feel enough has been said. When I had something specific to offer in the way of advice or opinion, I posted in the comment sections of the corresponding blog entries. If you'd like to catch up on any of the goings on, click on some of the blogs listed to the right of this posting.
If there's enough talk about the above-mentioned controversy, why then did I bring it up here? For two reasons:
1. To inform you of its existence, in case you didn't already know.
2. To NOT hop on the bandwagon and, instead, to help you use this fodder as fuel to propel you into writing/editing/submitting action.
How? By doing what every good writer should do in the spring/summer seasons: Attend a writers' conference.
Rather than spend a lot of time complaining about (or reading the complaints about) agent policies, why not take a positive action that can bring about the results you want: To sign with an agent or publisher? I can't think of a better way than to take hold of spring and/or dive into summer than by attending a conference.
In order to find the right conference for you, ask yourself (and be honest), where am I in my current project? If you've written and edited an entire manuscript and you feel it's ready for submission, I recommend attending a national conference where big-name agents will engage in pitch appointments with authors (ten-minute stints that allow the writer to pitch the novel or nonfiction book idea to an agent of his/her choice). There, you'll hear top authors speak and rub elbows with some of the most successful in the biz. Here are a few that might interest you.
For mystery and thriller writers: ThrillerFest 2009
This one is good for writers of romance, mainstream fiction, and even mystery: Romance Writers of America Conference 2009
Another conference with a lot of big-names: 2009 Backspace Writers Conference
Here's one that allows you to meet New York agents or to focus on writing memoir: International Women's Writing Guild: Big Apple Conference
If you have a strong first draft but know your manuscript needs some polishing, attend a nuts-and-bolts type conference in which the techniques of revising will be highlighted, along with other helpful sessions that might include encouraging you to write an engaging query and/or an irresistible first chapter. Here's a favorite of mine for such instruction.
This conference helps you kick back and tap the muse or roll up your sleeves and work, work, work: The International Women's Writing Guild: Remember the Magic
If you've got the seed of an idea and want to know how to turn it into a novel or approach magazines and newspapers with it, a local conference will probably give you the best bang for your buck (sorry about the cliche). In addition to my top choice shown below, check your library and community calendar listings for workshops, seminars, and even book/critique groups in your area.
This conference is great for writers of all levels: The Pennwriters Conference -- A Writer's Tool Chest
Take a moment or even a couple of hours to browse these websites (and others) to find the right conference for you. Talking with active writers, hearing the words of inspiring presenters, and schmoozing with editors and agents is the best motivation a writer can find. Let me know where you decide to go!
Posted by Judy at April 8, 2009 10:40 AM
Comments
P.S. I understand in this current economy that some of these writing conferences are rather pricey and that's not including the travel and lodging. However, the ones I've listed here are worth the investment. If the conference fee will present a struggle for you, look into cheaper alternatives like attending smaller, local conferences over the large, national ones. In addition, many conferences will offer you a discount if you sign up to work at a booth or a table. Others, like the International Women's Writing Guild offer scholarships. Don't give up! Good luck!
Posted by: Judy Schneider at April 8, 2009 12:20 PM
Hi Judy,
thanks for the great post. Congrats for weeding through the controversy and presenting another option to it. Great to see you blogging so regularly again!
Posted by: kathie at April 14, 2009 03:53 PM