Have you been to a writers’ conference lately? It’s been about a week since I got back from Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, and I’m still working on ideas and leads obtained there.

Why Attend Conferences?

If you’re a writer seeking to get published, you must attend conferences to:

  • Improve your craft through sharing information with other writers and through the workshops offered,
  • Learn how to present your work to editors and agents,
  • Meet editors and agents individually if the conference offers private appointments,
  • Get out of your routine so that your creative juices can begin to flow,
  • Learn marketing techniques for selling your books and articles,
  • Be inspired and/or overwhelmed by the experience.

Beginning writers often fail to understand that the most important information that they gain at conferences is how to market their work. Of course, the other things are important, but marketing is the tool that helps you get your work published. Take a look at the Marketing Mix page for insight.

How Do I Choose a Conference?

Here’s the process I use for  deciding which conferences to attend:

  • Search the Web for “Christian writers conference” in my area, or browse the conference list on ChristianManuscriptSubmission.com,
  • Look for conferences being held near where I live,
  • Check the dates and eliminate the ones for which I have conflicts,
  • Examine the faculty list and workshop offerings for people I need to meet and subject matter you need help with,
  • Add up the total cost, including tuition, meals, housing, and travel expenses,
  • Decide which ones I’d like to attend and start working on the arrangements,
  • Pray about my choices and let God guide me as I plan.

I welcome comments on any conferences that my readers may have attended. In the past year, I have attended Indianapolis Christian Writers Conference, the ACW Conference in Memphis, and the one in KY. I’ll post an evaluation of the each conference soon.

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