Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jessica Vealitzek on June 13, 2012 at 5:39pm

Congrats, Adela!

Permalink Reply by Regina Y. Swint on June 13, 2012 at 6:27pm

That's great news, Adela!  Congratulations and good luck. :)

Permalink Reply by Jackie Bouchard on June 13, 2012 at 9:06pm

That's great, Adela! Congratulations and best of luck.

Permalink Reply by Janet McAdams on June 19, 2012 at 10:38am

Linnea asks what happens at a Writers' Conference. It depends upon the conference. Some are about networking, making professional connections, learning the business side of being a writer. Some are almost strictly about writing itself, the craft, producing work.

I've been to 2 writers' conferences, the Paris Writers' Conference (where I was a student) and the Kenyon Review (where I was a teacher). I would say that the 2 I've been to are about writing and craft.

(I should say, too, that I've been to the BEA, when my first book won an American Book Award, but I didn't really hang out or anything. I've also been to AWP, which is an academic conference for writers who teach or study at universities.)

In Paris, I took Katharine Weber's novel manuscript workshop, which was very good. I'm not sure I would have finished my book without it. She no longer teaches that class there. Pros: It's in Paris and it's in Paris. Cons: Not as much group esprit since you're in a city.

The KR Writers Workshop has lots of group spirit, as it takes place in a little village in the middle of Ohio. Its focus is on producing and revising work. Many of the attendees work full time and take vacation to do this, to write in a community of peers. There are readings in the evening, conferences with teachers, and a very intense learning environment (and I think many students bond and stay in touch with each other for years). There are no hierarchies (I've heard horror stories about other conferences.) Teachers, students, fellows  all hang out, eat, drink whatever together.

Permalink Reply by Melanie Conklin on June 19, 2012 at 11:44am

Great info, Janet--thanks for sharing!

Now, how to convince my husband about a conference in Paris .....

melanie

www.melanieconklin.com

Permalink Reply by Katherine E. Hinkson on June 20, 2012 at 5:44pm

I attend at least two conferences a year. I share costs with a fellow author or two. Gas, hotel and driving. I attend Killer Nashville in August with another author. I have pitched to several editor, agents and publishers at this conference. It has four tiers, publishing, forensics, how-to of writing and readers. I always come away with more knowledge and an eagerness to write again.

I'm planning on attending GMC=Goal, Motivations and Conflict (Debra Dixon) weekend Workshop in Minneapolis this Sept and a couple local workshops put on by Iowa Authors and SCBWI.

I go with three things in mind. 1. Have FUN. 2. Learn something, anything and 3. network (I have made some very good friends at conferences)

Permalink Reply by Melanie Conklin on July 26, 2012 at 11:31am

sounds exciting!

Permalink Reply by Stephanie Scott on August 14, 2012 at 3:58pm

I'll have to check into some of those -- I'm part of SCBWI now but I haven't been to any of their conferences, just a few chapter meetings with 2 dif local chapters.

Permalink Reply by Penny Lane on July 26, 2012 at 6:58am

I have only been to one writing conference. It was a conference put on by the local college I was attending, and I was volunteering to help pass out information in some of the classes. It was an interesting experience. I met a couple of local authors as well as some publishers. I also heard many conflicting views on how to be successful, which just goes to show you that writing is not an exact science.

Permalink Reply by Gayle H. Swift on July 26, 2012 at 7:48am

I'm registered for my third FWA (Florida Writer's Conference) in October. I love engaging with other writers, learning new ways to hone my craft and indulging in the opportunity to be 100% focused on my writing. The ability to meet and pitch to agents and publishers offers the frosting to my cake. If you are interested here's a link:http://www.floridawriters.net/2012_FWA_Conference.html

Permalink Reply by Carrie on July 27, 2012 at 12:19pm

This writers conference you girls are talking about sounds interesting, I never even knew they had them, Ive never been, do you think someone like me who is just starting out would benefit from going to one?

Permalink Reply by Shana Bell on July 27, 2012 at 12:46pm

I finally went to a conference featuring a successful author a couple of weeks ago. It was free, and the author was selling some writing craft manuals she had written that were worth every penny!  I can't wait to go to another one.  I feel that I learned more there in one day than I had in 2 years' time.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• Next ›
• Page