by Patricia Bradley, @PTBradley1
Conference season is fast approaching. In fact one that my small writers group puts on will be this month—The MidSouth Christian Writers Conference. There will be classes on fiction and non-fiction writing. In September the biggie for me is the American Christian Writers Association.
But why attend a conference? That question was put to me not long ago. So I thought I’d address it.
- Conferences are places to learn more about the craft of writing
- It’s a place to network with editors, agents and other authors.
- Many offer opportunities to talk one-on-one with editor and agents.
- Many offer one-on-ones with authors who are published, giving the non-published writer encouragement and a glimpse into what’s possible.
- It’s an opportunity to perhaps get a critique partner.
- You are investing in your writing.
- It’s a place to learn how to pitch your story to someone. And the smaller conferences do not have the pressure the larger ones do.
Now to address a few of these bullet points further, starting with the last one. Smaller conferences are more intimate and you’re more likely to get to know the other attendees better. There’s not as much pressure at a smaller conference.
One-on-ones, whether with an editor or agent or a published author, are great opportunities to learn more about the business of writing. But I’ve often seen beginning and even not-so-new writers too intimidated to take advantage of these opportunities. I wish that weren’t so. When I first started writing, published authors had something I wanted. Not necessarily the contract, (I wanted one, too) but the experience. I picked their brains about and I have yet to meet an author who didn’t respond positively to my questions.
Investing in your writing is something every writer should do if they are serious. Putting actual money into writing says that you are a writer and you are willing to invest time and money into this endeavor.
And speaking of being a writer—when can you call yourself a writer? Personally, I believe you are a writer when you write. You don’t have to be published, you simply must write. And please, if an editor requests your manuscript, SEND.IT! I’ve had editor after editor tell me they only get about 25% of the manuscripts they request.
Let me leave you with this last thought. Attending conferences puts you with others who talk to imaginary people. That alone is worth the price of admission.
Carly Smith came by her trust issues honestly. A victim of sex trafficking, she’s been at the mercy of merciless men, ignored by law enforcement officers who should have helped her, and seemingly rejected by her family. She can’t even trust herself to do the right thing. Though she escaped her captors and is working hard on building a new life, the past continues to haunt her when she discovers that the man she couldn’t bring herself to report to police for fear of reliving her captivity is still out there, luring vulnerable girls under the guise of being a modeling agent.
When her own niece is kidnapped, Carly must overcome her fears and come forward with the information she has before it’s too late. When that proves to be not enough, she’ll have to go after the perpetrators herself.
Winner of an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award in Suspense and a 2018 Carol finalist, Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi with her rescue kitty, Suzy. Her romantic suspense books include the Logan Point series and the Memphis Cold Case Novels. She also has written sweet romances for Harlequin Heartwarming available as e-books.