Best Resolution for Writers: Attend a Writing Conference This Year

by Larry J. Leech II @LarryJLeechII

Well, well, well. It’s that time of the year.

Make New Year’s Resolutions? Nope. Most were made late in 2024, and some people may have already broken theirs.

Set goals for 2025? It’s still early in the month, so I guess that could still be a thing.

Get ready for conference season? Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner, but sorry, no chicken dinner.

And like most years, writers have great options of conferences in the inspirational market. But before making a choice, you have a few things to consider. This is not an exhaustive list, but here are a few things to think about.

Considerations When Choosing a Writing Conference

• 1. Does size matter? A large conference can overwhelm newbies.

• 2. Does distance matter? Sometimes getting away from your local turf can help you meet new people. 

• 3. Does cost matter? Almost always a concern, unless you are independently wealthy.

• 4. Will you know or have heard of any of the faculty?

• 5. Will you know another attendee or have someone who will attend the conference with you?

• 6. Will the conference offer alternatives for those who have food allergies?

Do you know your goal / purpose for attending a conference? To pitch? To learn? To network? 

• 1. If your goal is to pitch, check the website to see which publishers and agents will be on faculty. Usually, the bigger conferences have a more diverse selection of acquisition editors and agents.

• 2. If your goal is to learn, while a larger conference will have a wider selection of workshops, a small conference might be best. These conferences have a different feel or tone because the focus is learning instead of trying to land a contract.

• 3. If your goal is to network, any conference will be great to meet others. 

No matter your reason for attending, please make sure you connect with others. Introduce yourself at the table during meals, chat with others between workshops, sit with someone you don’t know during the keynote speeches, and, without being obnoxious, connect with faculty. Directors of the conferences listed below will choose faculty who love to help attendees. 

A Non-exhaustive List of Writing Conferences: 

• Asheville Christian Writers Conference, February 21-23, Asheville, NC, ashevillechristianwritersconference.com

• Carolina Christian Writers Conference, March 7-8, between Spartanburg and Greenville, SC, www.carolinacwc.com

• Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference, March 12-15, southern Alabama, bluelakecwr.com

• Mid-South Writers Conference, March 14-15, Collierville, TN, midsouthchristianwriters.com

• Vision Christian Writers Conference, April 11–15, Mount Hermon Conference Center in Felton, CA, vcwconf.com 

• Northwest Christian Writers Association Renewal Conference, April 25–26, Issaquah, WA, www.nwchristianwriters.org/conference 

• Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, May 26-30, Ridgecrest, NC, www.blueridgeconference.com

• Write to Publish, June 10-13, Wheaton, IL, writetopublish.com

• Write His Answer, August 6-9, virtual, colorado.writehisanswer.com

• American Christian Fiction Writers, September 4-7, New Orleans, LA, acfw.com/acfw-conference

• Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, fall (dates will be announced by the end of February), kychristianwriters.com

• Florida Christian Writers Conference, October 22-26, Leesburg, FL, word-weavers.com/floridaevents

Now it's your turn. What conferences have you attended and which ones would you recommend. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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As the former Editor-in-Chief at Bold Vision Books and writing coach of award-winning authors, Larry J. Leech II has spent more than forty years writing and editing. He started his career as a sportswriter in southwestern Pennsylvania where he covered prep, college, and pro sports, including the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. 

In 2004, after 2,300 published articles, Larry moved into the book publishing industry. Since that time, he has ghostwritten 30 books, edited more than 400 manuscripts, and coached hundreds of authors through the writing and publication process. You can find him online on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.