by Patricia Bradley, @PTBradley1

I know a lot of writers think attending a writers conference would be nice, but they come up with all sorts of reasons why they won’t go. So, I thought I’d offer a few reasons why it’s important to attend writers conferences.

1. Classes

Whether you’re a newbie or an old pro there’s always something to learn or refresh yourself on. Most conferences have classes that range from those just getting started to those who are multi-published. 

2. Validation

When writers invest in a conference, they are saying to the world that they are a writer. Many writers have trouble believing they are writers. 

3. An investment

Spending money to learn your craft is saying that you are serious about writing. Also that you believe you can become a published writer.  

4. Networking

At a conference you will meet writers at all stages of their career. You can meet authors who are on the top Best Sellers lists or some who are just starting out. Talk, sit at their table at dinner and ask questions. I’ve never met an author who doesn’t want to talk about how they succeeded. 

5. Opportunities

Getting your work in front of an agent or editor isn’t easy. At all the conferences I’ve attended writers can sign up for appointments with editors and agents. Polish your pitch, make a one-sheet and be ready to wow that editor or agent with your work. And if an editor or agent asks to see your manuscript, be sure to send it to them when you get home. I don’t know how many editors and agents have told me they see these fantastic proposals but the writer never sends the requested manuscript. Seventy-five percent of requested manuscripts are never sent.

6. Tax Write-off

      A conference is one way to show the IRS that you are actively pursuing a writing career,   therefore you can deduct the conference as a business expense.

7. Being around like-minded people

There’s just something about being around people who know what you mean when you say your character refuses to go along with you. Or your characters quit talking to you. They get it. They get you.

8. Getting Inspired

      Writers work alone and sometimes it’s hard to get inspired. Going to a conference will jazz you up, get those creative juices going. It’s wonderful to mix and mingle with all writers—it will inspire you to return home, ready to hit that keyboard. And you get all kinds of ideas.

9. Brainstorming

Conferences are a great place to grab another author and get in a quiet place and brainstorm ideas. I know one very successful author who brainstormed her whole manuscript at a conference.

10. Conferences are fun.

I don’t think I have to explain that one. 

So, if you’ve never been to a writers conference, look around. They range in price from inexpensive to rather expensive. 

You don’t have to go to a huge, expensive conference—there are many well-organized small conferences that will give you the opportunity to get to know the other attendees that a large conference doesn’t. 

And don’t rule out a virtual conference. A virtual conference? I hear the groanings already, and while I love in-person conferences, there are advantages to a virtual one. Like being able to watch the classes over and over. And they are generally not as expensive.

PLUS, you can attend a virtual conference at home in your pajamas if you want to. Doesn’t that sound heavenly to all you introverted writers out there? And for the extroverts like me, there will be chats where we can connect to all our friends!

So, what are you waiting for? Conference season is almost upon us. Make your reservations now!

 

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Crosshairs (Natchez Trace Park Rangers Book #3)

Investigative Services Branch (ISB) ranger Ainsley Beaumont arrives in her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to investigate the murder of a three-month-pregnant teenager. While she wishes the visit was under better circumstances, she never imagined that she would become the killer’s next target–nor that she’d have to work alongside an old flame.

After he almost killed a child, former FBI sniper Lincoln Steele couldn’t bring himself to fire a gun, which had deadly and unforeseen consequences for his best friend. Crushed beneath a load of guilt, Linc is working at Melrose Estate as an interpretive ranger. But as danger closes in on Ainsley during her murder investigation, Linc will have to find the courage to protect her. The only question is, will it be too little, too late?

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley continues her Natchez Trace Park Rangers series with a story about how good must prevail when evil just won’t quit.

Patricia Bradley is a Carol finalist and winner of an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award in Suspense, and three anthologies that included her stories debuted on the USA Today Best Seller List. She and her two cats call Northeast Mississippi home–the South is also where she sets most of her books. Her romantic suspense novels include the Logan Point series and the Memphis Cold Case Novels. Obsession, the second book in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series, released Februrary 2, 2021. She is now hard at work on the third book, Crosshairs.

Writing workshops include American Christian Fiction Writers online courses, workshops at the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference, the KenTen Retreat where she was also the keynote, Memphis American Christian Fiction Writer group, and the Bartlett Christian Writers group. When she has time, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.