Please tell me about Writer's Conferences

[Rick]

Hi folks,

I am still quite new at ChristianWriters.com and what I'm asking may seem like old-hat to many of you, nevertheless, I do seek your guidance. As I have browsed though the threads, I have often seen references to writers conferences. Are there some conferences out there that focus on Christian authors? Are these events good opportunities to make contact with agents and pusblishers? Are there any particular annual events that you would recommend as being the best? If so, I'm willing to take vacation time and travel to attend one of these events.

I've written a novel that my Christian friends like and have encouraged me to try to publish. I got a copy of the 2007 Writer's Market guide, read about how to write a query letter and a synopsis. A couple of months ago I sent off a few proposals to agents and small publishers, but thus far have heard back from only one, which was a polite rejection letter...and since then I guess I've lost a little steam in this effort.

It is my hope and prayer that attending the right writer's conference might be encouraging and improve my chances of finding the right agent or publisher. I seek your advice.

Thanks,
Rick

[TanyaSue]

Hey, Rick! I HIGHLY recommend attending a writers conference! I attended my first last month and had the most amazing time -- both personally and professionally. I've written about it here and on my blog. Here's a link (http://inthedailies.blogspot.com/2007/05/this-morning-i-sat-in-dentists-chair.html)to one of my posts. Before I go on, let me answer your questions.

Are there some conferences out there that focus on Christian authors?

YES!! Absolutely. You mentioned you have the Writers' Market Guide. Do you have Sally Stuart's Christian Writers Market Guide? There you'll find a listing of conferences and more that focus on the Christian market, catering to Christian writers. The conferences are also listed on her website (http://www.stuartmarket.com/).

Are these events good opportunities to make contact with agents and publishers?

YES!! It's one of the main reasons people go to conferences. At a conference you meet editors, agents, publishers even publicists face-to-face. This gives you a "one-up" on the competition. They know your face, your voice, your presence (how you carry yourself), your sense of humor (if you have one), and your project (if you share it with them). They also know you care enough about your writing to attend a conference. This means you're serious and will be taken seriously.

Most conferences allow you to sign up for one-on-one sessions with the faculty (those very important people in publishing). You may also be able to have meals with them, rub shoulders with them on campus and, of course, take their classes. These are all wonderful opportunities to learn, network and market.

Are there any particular annual events that you would recommend as being the best?

I have only been to one: Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference. It was last month. I HIGHLY recommend it. It was extraordinary. About 400 people in attendance; 40 or so faculty members; 5 days long.

Other notable Christian conferences are Writing for the Soul (hosted by the Christian Writers Guild/Jerry Jenkins), Glorietta, and Mount Herman. there is also American Christian Writers (ACW). They hold conferences all around the country, in 24 different cities this year.


I really wasn't sure what to expect when attending my first conference. It truly was amazing -- not just in opportunities, but in the people I met, the classes I attended, the confirmation I received on my projects and my calling. You've got to go!! It will revitalize your passion for writing. If you do your homework, it could even fast-forward your project and your career.

Feel free to email me if you have questions or want to hear more about my experience. I'm happy to share. :)

[Naomi Musch]

Hey Rick,
I waited 20 years to attend a conference. What a mistake! It's so encouraging, even the small ones. I went last year to an American Christian Writers (ACW) conference in Minneapolis. (They have them all over the country.) There I got to have a one-on-one with the editorial director of a major Christian publishing house. Not only did he invite me to send a proposal for my novel, completely allowing me to skip the query/rejection phase, but he's since asked to see the rest of the manuscript. I'm in the throes of anticipation right now to see what happens, knowing that it could go either way.

If you want to get your foot in the door with your work, it really pays to get to meet these editors/agents. Otherwise, you're just another yellow envelope in the pile, and the rest of the pile is stacked against you.

[Rick]

TanyaSue,
Thank You for thoughtful and encouraging response! I wanted to get back to you quickly to tell you how much I appreciated it. I can tell that you really got a lot out of the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference you attended last month. Next, I will visit your blog and Sally Stuart's website and learn more about upcoming conferences.

Thanks again
Rick

[Rick]

Naomi,
Wow! May prayers are with you that the Christian publisher you met at the ACW conference in Minneapolis will love your manuscript and soon put it into print! The idea bypassing the query-long-wait-and-likely-rejection-letter, and talking one-on-one with agents and publishers is highly appealing! I'm definitely going to place high priority attending a Christian writers conference in the very near future!

Hey, I'd love to hear more about your manuscript!

Rick

[ProfessorAlan]

I am doing one more (last?) re-write of my novel this summer, and plan to get to a conference late this year or next year. Looking for one-to-one meetings, feedback, contacts, etc....

[Gravity]

Hi Rick! I'll parrot what the others here have said (pass the crackers! squawk! :D ). Christian writing conferences not only are great places to attend workshops on honing your craft, they're also a lot of fun (and I'm not just saying that because this will be my third year on staff at the Glorieta conference, teaching some workshops). For a lot of reasons, they really can be a terrific experience; if you go in knowing what to expect.

[TanyaSue]

Piggybacking on the comments of Gravity and Naomi ... when you go, make sure you're prepared. Do your homework before you get there. The more prepared you are, the more you'll get out of the conference.

I did a lot of research on each of the faculty members and polished my proposal, but time was running short, so I let my sample chapters go by the wayside. I didn't expect to get a bite; afterall, this was my first conference and I am a very new writer. Well, I got two bites -- two editors who wanted my complete proposal! (As Naomi said, this enabled me to skip the query process and the agent hunt before submitting my project.) The problem: I wasn't totally prepared. Rather than being able to email it off immediately, I had to spend three weeks polishing my chapters before sending them.

Three weeks is not a huge amount of time, but everything makes an impression. I would prefer the editors think of me as someone prepared and qualified rather than one who doesn't have the work ready to back my ideas.

[Rick]

TanyaSue,
Hey, I picked up a copy of Sally Stuart's Christian Writers Market guide.
Looks like some great prospects there. Thanks for your suggestion! In fact, I sent off an email package to one of the publishers I found listed in her book this morning!

On the topic of writers conferences, I searched the Internet for American Christian Writers conferences and found their 2007 conference agenda. I have a couple of near-term options and wanted to get your opinion. There is a 2-day conference in Atlanta, GA in mid July. Because I live in Oklahoma, there would be air travel and motel expenses involved. Alternatively, in August there is a 1-day conference in Springfield, MO, which is only four hour away by car. Is a 1-day conference as likely to be as fruitful as two? Are publisher's reps as likely to attend?
What resources should I take to the conference? Would it be wise to take along some CD's with copies of my novel? Would it be good to take some hard copies of my query letter? Do you have any other suggestions for a first-time writers conference attendee?

Thanks,
Rick

[TanyaSue]

I sent off an email package to one of the publishers I found listed in her book this morning!

Hey! That's great! :)

DrRita and others are probably more qualified to answer your questions about conference length. To me, more important than length is faculty. Research who will be at each one and then go to the conference with the people you want to meet. You should be able to find class schedules and faculty bios on their websites and/or brochures.

What resources should I take to the conference? Would it be wise to take along some CD's with copies of my novel? Would it be good to take some hard copies of my query letter? Do you have any other suggestions for a first-time writers conference attendee?

You need to take business cards. Networking with other writers may prove just as valuable as meeting the editors and agents. Also, business cards offer professionalism. I gave my business card to one faculty member who used it and my website as a positive example in his class at the next writers conference. :)

You'll also want to take one-sheets. A one-sheet is your pitch on paper, kind of like a one-page proposal. There is a thread here on CW that talks about them. You can also find a few samples online. If you like, email or pm me and I'll send you a copy of mine.

Other things you'll want to have ... a small notebook, a folder or bag for collecting literature and such (I used a messenger-type laptop bag.), and your full proposal/synopsis with sample chapters, just in case. Those who requested my work did not take hardcopies. Rather, they wanted me to email it. I don't know if this is typical or not. Having your manuscript on cd may not be a bad idea. They're compact, which is definitely preferable to 400+ pages of extra paper to pack into a suitcase.

Hope this helps! :)
Tanya.

[pajarita_deDios]

Is the ACFW affiliated with the ACW?

[MrsCoach]

I've really enjoy Calvin College's Festival of Faith and Writing. You may want to check it out:)

[ProfessorAlan]

have heard good things about the Calvin College event.

[Emma]

TanyaSue,
thank you for your karge informative posts!
Now I know the goals and essence of conferences!
It would be great to hear more from you!

And I have one question. You mentioned business cards and what about appearance? Clothes, style, etc
By the way looking at your photo I can say thay you are very beautiful so this factor also might influnce editors and agents. What do you think?

[Gravity]

what about appearance? Clothes, style, etc

Most conferences are pretty lax regarding clothing; think "business casual" and downward (I always wear jeans, unless I'm teaching, then it's jeans and a sports coat :cool: ). The only thing you really need to consider is climate. At Glorieta, for instance, the elevation is 7500 feet, and since it's in the mountains, in October, sometimes the weather can get a bit nippy. Otherwise, dress as you please! (the editors sure will! !thumbsup! )

[TanyaSue]

You mentioned business cards and what about appearance? Clothes, style, etc

When you register for the conference, they will tell you what the dress code is, if there is one. Blue Ridge is in the mountains, so they recommended sneakers and casual attire. Most, however, wore a business casual dress -- not jeans, but casual pants and a nice shirt with sandals or something. Then, the last night had an more formal banquet and an awards ceremony. (Blue Ridge offers several writing contests each year. Those attending are encouraged to submit entries months before the conference. These are judged by the faculty. Winners receive on-stage recognition along with cash prizes and certificates or plaques.) So, the last night everyone dressed up a lot more than the rest of the week.

By the way looking at your photo I can say thay you are very beautiful so this factor also might influnce editors and agents. What do you think?

First, thank you! :p I don't know how much appearance plays in. I believe if you have done your homework and you present yourself in a professional manner, you will succeed. I don't care what you look like, and editors won't either, if you can write well and are able to get your writing into their hands.

That said, my appearance is actually a stumbling block. I look much younger than I am. In an appointment with one of the agents he said, even before I sat down: "You look about the same age as my granddaughter! She just turned 15." When you're trying to pitch a book that hinges on parenting, the last thing you want is for someone to think you're still in high school! I didn't know whether to tell him my age or just go ahead with my pitch. It was obvious he had already made up his mind and nothing I had would interest him.

[Rick]

I want to thanks all of you and a special thanks TanyaSue for the great information you have provided about writers conferences in this thread. As a result, I'm seriously considering attending a writer's conference in the months ahead. I live in Oklahoma and I am pleased that two writer's conferences are coming up soon in neighboring states. One is the North Texas Christian Writer's Conference in Keller, TX , a 2-day event beginning August 7. The other is the Glorieta Writer's Conference in Santa Fe, NM which is a 5-day event beginning October 17.

I see that Gravity mentioned Glorieta in his comments above. I'd love to hear feedback from any of you that have ever attended either of these two conferences.

Thanks,
Rick