6 Reasons Writers Should Attend a Writing Conference

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

This time of year writers conferences crank back up after a short break for the holidays. Should you go? Here are a few good answers to that question. 

6 Reasons to Attend a Writing Conference

1. We need each other. Writers need each other for fellowship, empathy, networking, and encouragement, and more. We can get all that at a writers conference. You may even sit in a workshop beside a publisher who would love to publish your book. Yes, that really happens – occasionally! 

2. We need to know what other markets are out there. New publications often have a staff member attend conferences to find new writers. You may discover and explore existing markets you didn’t know about. 

3. We need to know how to take our writing to the next level. Writers need to be continually learning to perfect their craft. We want to write with excellence. Word choice, punctuation, titles, and more really matter.

4. We need to keep up with the changing rules of the industry. Many folks are still unaware that putting two spaces after a period is a no-no. Comma usage changes from time to time. Spacing when writing for the web or in print is different. And book proposals from one publisher to another can be slightly or greatly different. Read guidelines for any publishing house you want to write for.

5. We need to build relationships with publishing industry professionals. Relationships are important. Whether it is business, family, or friends, it takes time to get to know and understand each other. Networking with others in the publishing world has many benefits. Making new friends who can encourage you and support you in your writing is just one of them.

6. We need to find our niches. When I first attended a writers conference, my young children said I had gone to “writers paradise.” I came home excited and happy. I had found where I belonged. Being with others who loved to write was a happy place I never knew existed.

I would like to personally invite you to the Carolina Christian Writers Conference, March 11-12, 2022, in Spartanburg, SC. That’s just in a couple of weeks and space is still available. There will be around 25 professional writers, publishers, agents, editors, and others to assist you. Fun things are part of this conference as well. Genre groups allow you to spend time with others who write what you like to write. Lightning Learning gives you a ton of information in a short amount of time. Panels, one-on-one appointments, critique opportunities, contests (and you don’t have to attend to enter them), worship, and time to get all your questions answered. And, there are even a few scholarships still available.

Friday morning offers a two-hour workshop on how to use Canva led by Katy Kauffman. This is optional (with a small extra fee) for those who want to learn more about Canva.

Thursday, March 10 is a special day just for pastors and ministry leaders who want to write. A special group of publishers who work with pastors will help them learn how to turn their sermons into books and connect with others who can help them. 

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6 Reasons Writers Should Attend a Writing Conference from @LindaGilden on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Linda Gilden has coauthored 11 books with 5 different coauthors and has #12 and #13 coming out in 2022, adding a new co-author to the list. She loves every one of her coauthors and enjoys collaborating on interesting projects with them. She also has written many books on her own and realizes what a treasure and blessing a good co-author is.