From Edie: Not sure which writers conference to attend? Discover the differences between small and large events and how to pick the right one for you.
Small vs. Large Writers Conferences: Pros, Cons, and How to Choose
by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted
Yearly, writers conferences pop up across the country. They range in size, format, and cost, and it can be challenging to decide which one is best for you. Of course, only you really know your specific needs, but I'd like to offer you some guidance on how to choose an appropriate conference that best suits you.
Size
Conferences will range in size across the country. Disclaimer: Please note that none of the conferences I mention have offered me anything to give them a shout out, other than their kindness and willingness to help writers. I don't have access to a full list across the country and what I do share is a drop in the bucket compared to what is available.
Size may be a genuine factor in your decision to attend a conference. Depending on your personal confidence level, you may feel good about jumping into a conference like the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference or the ACFW Writers Conference. Held each May in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Blue Ridge has become the country's premier conference. What does that mean? Well, size-wise, Blue Ridge will average from 500-600+ attendees, but in my opinion, what sets it aside as "premier" is that it addresses most genres in fiction and non-fiction, where ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) focuses on Christian fiction. Size-wise, the attendees are probably equal, give or take a few hundred. Both have a variety of publishers in attendance, as well as authors, mentors, and agents at your disposal. Any conference will offer you the opportunity to network with industry professionals, but because of the size of these two, the opportunities are a bit wider.
Which one of these conferences is best for you? Again, it depends on your needs. It is always a bit awkward if this is your first conference to jump into the deep end. With lists of classes to choose from, available industry professionals, and contests you can enter, you must be ready for the tsunami that will wash over you when you walk through the doors. These conferences offer so much. Are you prepared to take a giant leap? Are you comfortable in large crowds? For many first-time conferees, the size of these events can be overwhelming. When you don't know what to expect or how to maneuver through it, it can be scary. Should you decide to tackle one of these larger conferences, then do your homework before you arrive. Familiarize yourself with the faculty and classes. Have a plan of what and where to go.
Their schedules are posted on their websites in advance. You'll see the teachers, the subjects, and faculty bios. However, the one mistake I see new conferees make is taking classes above their skill level. It's fine if you choose to do that, but I'm not sure that is the best way to get the most out of a conference. Choose classes that address where you are currently in your writing path. By doing this, you are face-to-face with professionals whom you can talk to and ask questions. Folks who can help you where you are in your writing. Taking classes above your skill set may lead to confusion, frustration, and wasted time by learning out of order. Trust me, I know this for a fact. It happened to me because I didn't have someone who offered me this advice. I went into my first conference, picking classes that I thought I could use. Though I learned a lot, my writing wasn't at a level where I could apply what I learned. I got ahead of myself, and it meant backtracking to learn the ins and outs of plotting before I tied up an ending. If you're new to writing, consider classes that teach you the basics in fiction and non-fiction, learn the industry lingo, explore the types of editors you may need, and learn about voice and description. If you are more advanced and your manuscript is nearly completed or completed, consider classes that will help you write a proposal, or help you understand what happens once you are signed with an agent. There is a process, and you need to learn what agents and publishers will expect from you. This is what I mean by taking classes that address your current writing stage. A new writer with an idea and an unfinished manuscript is not ready for an agent. Remember, keep the process in order. Write, polish, complete the manuscript, then begin to submit. If you do this, you'll save yourself a lot of frustration.
Cost
Cost is a vital issue. Remember, it is not cheap to run a conference, and most faculty members are paid a small stipend plus their travel expenses. Professionals attend conferences because they believe in the value of helping rising writers. Some conferences can pay for flights while others simply cannot, so when you look at the price of a conference, look at it from a different angle, other than, "Oh, that's expensive."
Having said that, it is essential to stay within your financial constraints. Only you know how much you can afford, and you will have to take into account flights, driving, gas, housing, and meals in addition to the conference fee. Start saving a year in advance. You'd be surprised how quickly you can save your costs by saving $20 a week. The other side of this coin is simple: You have to spend money to make money. If you want to be a teacher, you have to go to school to learn how. If you want to be a writer, attending a conference can have a similar effect.
Many directors try to offer housing and meals along with their conference fees, or they will try to work with hotels close by to secure a small discount. Directors do their best to help conferees by making the expenses as all-inclusive as possible. So yes, there is a significant cost to attending a conference, but one that is well worth the money spent. The benefits far outweigh the costs. I firmly believe that folks find the money for the things they want. So, begin to save so that your expenses on the tail end are lessened. Remember, attending a conference is an investment in your career.
Retreat vs Conference
Retreat vs conference is a biggy because the two are nothing alike, and newer writers may find themselves confused by not understanding the differences. A retreat is wonderful, and though they are nice for newer writers, they're probably not going to offer what you are expecting. A retreat is generally very small. They will range in size from six to a larger group of thirty, and though they offer some "refining" or polishing type classes, their biggest advantage is writing time with a small number of peers. Those polishing classes are going to help them put the shine on a manuscript that is complete or nearly complete. Retreats are going to place you in a situation where you can share your work in small groups and get those critiques that help refine your work. The peer-to-peer time is worth a mint. Having that designated and uninterrupted writing time will take a writer who is stalled to the finish line.
Small Conferences
Never let anyone tell you a small conference is a bad investment. Most try to offer those vital things found in a larger conference, such as appointments, agents, and publishers. The difference is that there may not be as many faculty members, but that doesn't mean that small isn't good. Small conferences offer an intimacy that larger conferences cannot house simply because of the number of folks attending. They provide a prime opportunity for you to network, to make peer friends who will walk with you throughout your career. Small conferences are wonderful encouragers, and generally make themselves available to conferees year-round. Faculty members get to know conferees, and that means building great future relationships in the industry. More and more small conferences are popping up across the country.
You only need to do the infamous "Google search" and find one close to you. I am not familiar with the complete list of conferences.
However, here is a short list of writing conferences I know about.
- Florida Christian Writers Conference
- St. David's Christian Writers Conference
- Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference
- Montrose Christian Writers Conference
- Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference
- Kentucky Christian Writers Conference
- Asheville Christian Writers Conference
- Carolina Christian Writers Conference
- Seaside Scribes Christian Writers Conference
- Write to Publish
- Taylor University Professional Writers Conference
- The Well
- Southern Christian Writers Conference
And this is only a few. There are more across the country. My apologies for conferences not listed, but these were just a few off the top of my head. The point is, conferences are available. Find one that suits your needs and means. Then attend.
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