What Goes On at a Writer's Conference?

Me and Susie May Warren 

By Jill Williamson

Last week I got to go to my absolute favorite writer's conference. Now, I love all writer's conferences. I just can't help it. But this one... it's special. Here's why:

1. It's mine. I go every year. I've made friends with the other people who go every year. We support each other and grow in our writing careers together. And when one of us succeeds, it's like having a huge family throw a party for you. Pretty sweet.

2. I sold all my books there. I sold the Blood of Kings trilogy to Jeff Gerke there. I sold Replication to Zondervan there. I met my agent there. Good things have happened at this conference. And not just to me!

The girls I stayed up to 1:30 with

3. It's small and intimate compared to some of the HUGE conferences out there. It gets about 300 people. That means that I meet people and I keep seeing them throughout the week. I actually make friends with these people. I even make friends with the staff! And it's more of a relaxed conference, so I can stay up late and talk, talk, talk with people. My teen writer friend promised that when I get too old to stay up to 1:30 am every night of the conference, she'd gather everyone to come to my room so I wouldn't have to take my walker out when it's dark. Isn't that nice of her? Party in Jill's room someday when I'm old! Whoo!

Okay, so Jill has fun and makes friends. Big deal. What else goes on?

-There is a keynote speaker who will speak every night. This is usually a veteran author, editor, or agent who is an inspiration to everyone.
-There are dozens of workshops to choose from taught by a variety of editors, agents, authors, and sometimes marketing people too.
-There are often morning sessions that you go to each day that go deeper on a particular topic.

One morning, I had much bacon

-There are mentor authors there to read your manuscript and give you feedback or answer whatever questions you might have.
-There are agents and editors there to pitch your story to.
-There is a freebie table with samples of magazines and other periodicals in case you want to write for them.
-There are many free books given away.
-If you loved a class or missed one, you can order CDs and listen to it later
-There is a bookstore with tons of great stuff, and they usually have an autograph night in case you want to get something signed.
-There is worship and prayer (at the Christian conferences)
-There are award ceremonies
-There is good food and lots of it!

My knight in shining armor

Sadly this year, on the way home (it's a 5.5 hour drive for me), I broke down! Some of you know I spend three hours in Idanha, Oregon where Bigfoot lives. Well, I admit that I was a little freaked out when I first broke down and had no cell service. But I knew it would work out okay. And guess what? It did! A guy named Ken shows up in his mobile auto garage that looked like a renovated ambulance (can you say story idea?). He puts in a new alternator on the side of the road! Turns out he's a reader, so he also goes home with my fantasy trilogy. Pretty sweet twist on what some might have considered a disaster.

So... I urge you all to find a writer's conference near you, save up, and give it a try. Maybe sign up for one day, if it's a week-long conference. But there is nothing like getting several hundred writers together. How about you? Ever go to a conference?