Are Writing Conferences Worth it?

Short answer, yes. But only if, and it’s a big IF, you take the time to plan on how to get the most out of the panels, classes, connections, meet and greets, ask the agents, pitch opportunities, and if you can honestly afford it.

I am a newbie to the writing conference scene but knew from food/catering events a little bit of what to expect. Or thought I did. The food business is incredibly competitive, and in my twenty-five years immersed in it, I rarely found the support, cheerleading, and mentorship offered to writers. It gives me a warm fuzzy.

Before arriving, we were required to submit the first 4000 words of whatever we were working on to a group with similar genres. Everyone in the group read and critiqued each other’s work. At the conference, in between classes, we met with our group three times to read the critiques aloud, discuss the writing, and offer suggestions—nerve wracking but incredibly helpful.

Despite it being on the small side, with around fifty participants, they brought in a wealth of editors, publishers, and successful authors. Agent Laurie McLean with Fuse literary taught a class on how to pitch to her, and then we did. If you’ve never done one of these pitch fests before, well, that will be a topic for another day, but you have about sixty seconds to summarize your story, followed by a few minutes of questions before you’re tactfully booted from the agent’s sight.

From 8am to 6pm, a full schedule of classes and panels were offered, usually two at the same time, but they simplified choices by focusing each one on traditional or indie publishing. If you’ve ever shopped conferences and workshops, you’ll know they don’t come cheap, so the price was definitely a draw for me at only $275.

This past weekend I attended the PNWA Writers Conference in Renton, WA, held at the lovely brick and glass lakefront Hyatt Hotel. A bit pricier at $425, it included four agent pitches, a three-course dinner, and an absolutely delicious brunch. Hundreds attended multiple classes/panels available from 8am to 11pm, forcing us to choose from three or four options. Researching speakers pre-conference helped as not all were created equal, and I was guilty of sneaking out of a few dozers.

The hero of the weekend was Damon Suede. He was incredible. Like seeing your favorite stand-up comedian teach a gut-busting, standing-room-only, speed-induced, lightning-fast writing class. I would pay to see him on stage. He offered several workshops ranging from villains to tropes to branding yourself. If you ever have the chance to experience the shock and awe that is this man, mortgage whatever you have to; just make it happen. #damonsuede @damonsuede

The fact that the hotel sits on Lake Washington and the weather was gorgeous, and had a huge outside bar to slate a writer’s thirst, channeling one’s inner Hemingway didn’t hurt either.

The moral of this tale is if you can truly afford it, are willing to learn and absorb all you can, and put yourself out there to meet amazing people in the industry, it is worth it.

Course, if you just want to sit on that gorgeous deck drinking Singapore slings, no judgment here. I’ll be there in five.