Many of my fellow bloggers harbor hopes of “getting published” via traditional means, such as through writing books or magazine articles, so I thought I’d share a few reflections as to how attending a writers’ conference can help you achieve that.

Why should I attend a writers’ conference?

Three reasons:

1. You get to network. At the conference I attended last week, not only did I meet lots of book and magazine editors, but I traded stories with at least a dozen people who are as passionate about adoption as I am. I came home from the conference with some potential assignments, lots of potential people to interview, and several new friends.

2. You learn a ton. Every time I attend a conference, I’m amazed by how much I learn through attending workshops and panel discussions, listening to the keynote speakers, and schmoozing with individuals. Others are a wealth of knowledge…if you’re willing to listen and learn.

3. You come home invigorated. Exhausted, yes. But invigorated, too. My brain is full of new ideas and new ways of tweaking old ideas. I’ve got a list a mile long of books I want to read and review on my blog. I’m going to test a technique I learned as I edit my book. But mostly, I’m pumped by spending five days with several hundred others who enjoy writing as much as I do.

What’s the atmosphere like at a writers’ conference?
I can only speak for Christian writers’ conferences, because I haven’t been to any “secular” ones. But at a Christian writers’ conference, everyone is friendly and encouraging. Lest you think we’re walking around with our hands in the air shouting, “Praise the Lord!” every ten seconds, I must inform you that Christian writers are actually very normal people. We’re generally smart, savvy, and almost all of us are passionate about encouraging others.

Do lots of editors and agents attend?
The editors and agents who attend Christian writers’ conferences represent most of the major Christian publishing houses and several of the smaller houses. They devote countless hours to meeting with writers to listen to “pitches” for potential books and articles. Their main purpose for attending conferences is to “discover” the “next big thing,” to connect with writers with whom they currently work, and to share their expertise through teaching workshops.

Continued in the next post