In the shadow of a calling I found myself . . .
Wistful for my potential to be realized.
Musical Moment ~ “Velvet Show”
King of Leon
I’ve been off the blogging train for a couple of weeks basically
recovering from May. May was a whirlwind of conferences and my annual girls
weekend. While I was at the conferences, I had many conversations with people
who had debated whether they would attend the conference this year due to cost,
workshop types, travel, etc. I decided to chat about the pros and cons of
attending conferences.
Keynote Speaker at NESCBWI: Laurel Snyder (She's amazing, but my pic not so much as I was live tweeting, because she is amazing.)
The early and mid-part of May I attended two conferences: the New
England Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (NESCBWI) in
Springfield, MA and the Romantic Times (RT) Convention held in New Orleans this
year. I love these conferences. There is nothing better than being apart of
“your” community of artists who love what they do and want to share their
books, art, and knowledge.
I debated whether or not to attend the NESCBWI conference this year,
not because of cost or travel, but because I decided to Go Indie with my own
publishing company PUG PAW PRESS. Did
the conference have what I needed? You bet it did. This year there were a
number of workshops with Indie writers/publishers where I learned a ton of info
on marketing, writing, book reviews, eBook formatting, ISBNs, craft, etc., and I
got to meet other people contemplating Going Indie. The group was small, but it
was the first year multiple workshops on this topic were offered and I believe
the tide is changing for writers in all genres’ to creatively think how to
reach our audiences, even the more challenging Middle Grade category which my
upcoming novel THE HOPPERNOTS falls into. I felt validated. I felt that the
path I have carefully chosen will be challenging and require flexibility and
fearlessness, but is definitely the right choice for me. I also met and hung
out with children’s writers faithfully sticking with the traditional route.
On the flip side, the RT Convention had so many Indie published authors
(as well as traditionally published authors including E. L. James, Sylvia Day, Eloisa
James, and Lisa Kleypas) that it felt as if I were stepping over writer’s
especially the Indie-focused ones. Plus, extra benefit, the RT Conference is
geared heavily toward readers, so I met and learned from readers what their
interest were and how much they LOVED indie authors who now have the
opportunity to write what’s in their adventurous heart’s and not what’s “hot
now” or requested from their publishers. (Freedom, people!) At RT, there was a ton of Indie workshops with
a slew of people – traditionally, indie, and hybrid published, and those
contemplating their publishing path. It’s definitely an experience going to two
such different conferences, but well worth the time and money.
The is "The Darker Side of Thrillers"workshop at the RT Convention with (L-R) Andrew Peterson, Christopher Rice, M.J. Rose, Leo Maloney, Allison Brennan, and (my awesome friend and writer) Gennita Low.
The basis of the NESCBWI and RT conferences are the same: to network,
meet your favorite authors, learn what publishers are looking for and open for
submissions, meeting and learning from agents and editors, learning craft (Point
of View, are you a Pantser vs. Plotter, the (hated) Query letter and Synopsis
writing, Worldbuilding, listen to amazing keynote speakers and their inspiring stories, and…goodness
the list of benefits go on and on and on.
But are conferences and workshops “have to do’s” to become published?
No. It is not necessary, but it is valuable. If you can afford it (Cost can be
from $50 - $500) and the time it takes (these particular conferences went from
3-6 days away from family and home) then I say do it. However, there are many
resources online that are free or for a nominal fee where you can obtain great
information (IndieRecon.Org, for instance). The biggest benefit of conferences
and workshops is the connections to others you can make. You can meet your next
best friend, your critique partner or group, or even make a connection with an
agent or editor if you pitch your book idea just right.
Attending conferences/workshops provides valuable opportunities to
network, learn tips and tricks on craft, give you ideas on making your own work
bigger, better, and more powerful, as well as infusing your energy and
intention as an artist. Seriously. I couldn’t sleep for a week after attending
NESCBWI as my mind and muse would not shut down for all the ideas I received
and implemented.
If you can’t attend either, read, read, read…or watch videos. You all
know I am a huge fan of Harold Underdown. Check out his website, become friends
with him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter or anywhere else he’s online and socially
active. He attends conferences and holds workshops in person and online and is
a whiz on answering all kinds of industry questions and he is generous with his
knowledge. He also has links to others in the industry who graciously share
information. Or simply, let Google and Youtube be your best friend.
In the end, the answer is: No, it is not necessary to attend
conferences or workshops, but give it a try at least once so that you can see
what is offered and determine if they can benefit you.
Do you attend
conferences/workshops? What benefits have your received? Or not?
Good luck and Good Writing,
Deb
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