Writing Conferences: Catching the Vision

While preparing for writing conferences, it can be an exhilarating, albeit busy, time. Smaller, local conferences may be one to two-day events, while national writing conferences can number several hundreds of attendees or more and last over the course of five days to a full week.

For any type of writing conference, there’s often much planning,  preparation, and schedule crunching that go into it. With a national conference, such as the annual American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) conference, much of the planning and prep work for next year’s conference begins as soon as the previous one ends. Many times, hotels and conference sites are reserved years in advance.  It’s necessary to schedule far enough ahead to assure a venue that will appropriately accommodate huge crowds.

Though I was unable to attend the Romance Writers of America national conference in July, author Keli Gwyn recently shared some of her experiences and highlights while there in the Big Apple. I’d encourage you to visit Keli’s website and blog to gain her perspective, and to photo-gaze.

ACFW and RWA are two of the writing organizations I’m a member of. RWA also has a Christian subgroup that I’ve not joined yet, but I would like to become a member of it in the future, as well.

When I return from the ACFW conference, I plan to do several posts on the entire event, but this is what I’ve learned so far as I’ve prepared:

You can never plan too soon to attend. National conferences require a sizeable financial commitment. Be prepared to start saving your dollars early. Start a proposed budget. Allow for: Conference fees, hotel room (usually for several nights), any additional meals not covered in your registration fee, an update in your business/casual wardrobe, and even smaller costs like tips for hotel staff, the conference bookstore, and any miscellaneous items that may crop up as they undoubtedly will.

Register early. To assure room availability and avoid disappointment, make your reservations as soon as you commit to attending the conference. If finances are an issue, you might plan on rooming with writer friends to curb costs. (If you don’t reserve your hotel room at the same time you reserve your spot at conference, you’re taking the risk of not having a place to hang your hat for the night–or entire week).

If you’re planning on pitching to a particular agent/editor begin practicing on a friend. (I don’t recommend spouses. They’re biased and rightfully so!)

Update your one-sheets (one page mini synopsis which also includes your author picture/bio/contact info/a few images of what your book is about.

Join news loops within your writing organization well before the conference dates. ACFW, for instance, has done a superb job of keeping members updated regarding pertinent conference details. There’s been a fabulous “first-time attendees” loop that I’ve enjoyed being a part of, designed to guide us through the conference process and alleviate any last-minute jitters. And regardless if you’re agented or not…if you’ve never attended an event this size, it will be a little overwhelming. Admit it, own it, and move past it. If faux pas are made, it’s not the end of the world. I hope I don’t make any, but then again, that’s probably not realistic.

Determine to attend the conference with an open mind and a willing heart. Begin preparing for God to do something great through you to bless others!

Please join me again on Monday when I’ll return with all the scoop!

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How are you “catching the vision” with your writing? What commitments have you made to further your craft?