Writing Conferences—Not Just for Pitching

by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007

I’ve just returned from the Florida Christian Writers Conference where I once again, learned many things.

One was the fact that new and seasoned writers have a misconception of the main reason for attending conferences. They think the most important reason is to pitch their work to agents and editors. While important, it’s not the main reason.

The most important reason to attend a conference is to network. I prefer to think of it as creating new, and nurturing established friendships. God considers relationships to be most important, especially the one with Him. He created us in His likeness, so building relationships with each other is the most important reason for everything.

Why, you may ask, is networking more important? Because we’re all human, and we prefer doing business with people we know and trust. That’s why focusing on friendships is most important. Ask any agent or editor, and they will tell you they give priority to writers they’ve met. Some won’t even consider submissions from writers they don’t know.

If we’ve established friendly relationships with agents and editors, they’ll be much more open to considering our work and helping us improve it. This, alone, is worth the price of admission. Having helped during the early stages, they look forward to seeing our results when it comes time to submit our work for their consideration.

There are many agents and editors whom I consider friends, and they have been very helpful with the progression of my novel. A novel I’ve only presented in concept, never formally. When they ask, I can’t yet tell them how it ends. But they’re all more than willing to help me with story, plot, and character ideas because they truly are interested in my success—and that of all writers. This is the result of my taking the time to befriend them. If my work is never accepted by them, I don’t care because they are my friends, and that’s more important to me.

Given the above, I think education is next in importance. As professional writers, it’s our responsibility to improve our craft as much as possible. Our readers expect a certain level of quality from us, and they anticipate improvement with each new offering. So we owe them the courtesy of becoming the best writers we can be. Yes, it’s hard, sometimes frustrating work, but the rewards are worth it.

If you just can’t get to a conference, I recommend using social media and blogs to develop relationships and hone your craft. This blog site is an excellent resource for connecting and learning. You connect by commenting or replying to them. And you learn from the posts. There are several other great writer, editor, and author sites that will serve your needs as well.

Whether you agree with me or not, or if you just have questions, please share your thoughts below. Let’s keep the conversation going.

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Bruce Brady is an author, writer and playwright. His work has appeared in Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family, www.ChristianDevotions.us, and on stage. Currently, Bruce is working on a Young Adult Novel about a boy who must deal with the death of his dad, being bullied, and helping his mom through her grief. His first five pages took third place in the ACFW South Carolina Chapter’s “First Five Pages” contest.

When he’s not writing, Bruce spends time learning from and helping other writers. He serves as Mentor of Word Weavers International’s Online Chapter, and as a member of Cross ‘N’ Pens, The Writer’s Plot, ACFW’s National and South Carolina Chapters.

“My dream is to entertain my readers and give them hope as they travel the rocky road of life.”