ACFW Conference

[Tamera]

Is anyone considering going to the ACFW conference in Minniapolis, MN or has anyone gone in the past? I am considering going to this conference after researching a number of them and would like feedback. Also has anyone joined ACFW? How has that worked for you? Is it worth the money to join? The fee doesn't seem like a lot. With travel and hotel expenses, the conference will cost me a hefty amount though, and I don't want to make a mistake. My main reason for going to a conference is to make connections with agents and publishers. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks.

[Cymrugirl]

Are they always in Minnesota? That's a state I'd like to visit anyway - so a combined trip in the future might be nice. I'm not conference ready though, I'm afraid.

[Tamera]

I think they have it in a different place every year.

[DrRita]

I belong to AFCW but haven't attended their conference yet. I've gone to Glorietta, Mt. Hermon and one in Seattle they don't have anymore. I hear it's geared toward fiction and a really place for agent and publisher contacts. But that's second hand info.

As for AFCW, they have tons of benefits and networking. They may have a local chapter near you, we did in AZ but I haven't sought out the one here in the LA area. I should!

[srussell]

I live about 70 miles away from Minneapolis, so I would be dumb not to. Even if my WIP isn't ready to show to an agent or publisher by then, I'm sure there's a lot I can learn.

[DrRita]

You would learn a lot, trust me. The classes are good but the best is the contacts you will make. Networking is invaluable!!

I want to go but I'm applying for an internship position with ABC and if that goes . . . I'll be stuck at home.

[GentleJourneyAu]

I joined ACFW and although I cannot afford to attend the conference, I do participate in their on line courses which are almost continuous ongoing and cost nothing. You just sign up for it. A lot of times I am too busy and cannot keep up with it, but I just skim the emails of those subjects I am not so interested in and participate when it is something I need to learn. I did go to a romance writers conference a few years ago when it came to my area, and it was well worth the money and a lot of fun.

[brandilyncollins]

Tamera and all:

I'm on the Advisory Board for ACFW, so I don't mind talking it up. :) The organization is excellent. The membership fee pays for everything, including:

1. Linking you on the loop with hundreds of other authors, from aspiring to multi-published and best selling. Post a question on this loop about craft or the business of writing and you'll receive lots of answers from experienced people.

2. Small critique groups--if you choose to participate.

3. Online classes (as was mentioned). These run every month and are taught by published authors. You can choose to participate month by month as you want.

ACFW has taught many, many aspiring authors how to write. Over the years I can't even tell you how many we've seen come to be published.

As for the conference, it's fabulous. It's the only conference like it--as it's 100% fiction. Since that's all we do, we can do it very well. We offer classes at all levels of craft, from beginner to published professional--ongoing morning "track" classes, plus I don't know how many one-hour workshops in the afternoon. There's lots to choose from.

No other conference gathers as many agents and editors for fiction as ACFW. They all know this is the conference to attend as they look for new talent. You should see the line-up of our agent and editor panels. Last year we could hardly spread them all out on the stage.

Also the conference is known for its very friendly spirit. ACFW, the organization, and its conference are like one big family. You join, you become part of that family. And the conference also has a wonderful worshipful atmosphere, with a dedicated prayer room open all day. (This is no small thing. Every room in the hotel must be paid for, and to use a teaching room for prayer is literally putting our money where our mouths are--knowing that "more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of."

This year in Minneapolis, we will be having a public book signing with over 60 published authors in attendance at the B&N at the Great Mall. We're taking over one of the rotunda areas, with a huge Jumbotron.

We move each year or two, depending on hotel contracts. Next year we're in Denver.

Hope to see you all there.

Blessings,

[Tamera]

Brandi,
Thanks for all the info. I've decided to go ahead and spend the $50 to join ACFW. A writing course would cost that anyway. Also if I don't have an agent and publisher by then, I will be going to ACFW conference in September. Now I just need to find someone to go with me to share the travel and hotel expense. LOL.

[michaelsnyder]

I've been to the FL Christian Writer's Conference twice, Mount Hermon once, and ACFW twice. And they all have been HUGE contributors to my getting published.

But more than just getting published, the coolest thing about conferences is the people and the experience and the spirit of helps that permeate these things. It's really amazing. You can learn about craft, about the industry, find shortcuts to reaching your writing goals (which ALWAYS entail more work!), but it's the experience and the people you'll be talking about when you get home.

I cannot wait to make my way to another one.

Mike

[David Meigs]

I WISH I could go. :(


... I've gone to Glorietta, Mt. Hermon and one in Seattle they don't have anymore...We still have it. It's just moved. (http://www.nwchristianwriters.org/Default.asp) :)

[DrRita]

I WISH I could go. :(


We still have it. It's just moved. (http://www.nwchristianwriters.org/Default.asp) :)

I wish you could go too, buddy!!

This was a different conference which was held as SPU back in the 80's. It's where I first heard Walter Wangerin, Jr and the next year Phillip Yancey. It was a really great little conference. This one looks interesting too.

[DrRita]

Wow, thanks for the info Brandy.

[wgjones3]

Yanno, I just might make this one if things work out on the job end.

[DrRita]

Oh WG! That would be just the break you need!!

[Preacher]

Lord willing, I will be there.

According to the limited research I've done, the ACFW conference has more agents and editors in attendance specifically devoted to Christian fiction than any other writers conference. (And that's including Mt. Hermon, which had 7 agents, I think, while ACFW had 13 agents last year!)

Add the fact that there are a LOT of published authors who are in attendance, and you just can't beat the networking possibilities.

When it gets closer to the date, we should make lunch plans! Everyone meet at Chili's and Brandilyn's treating ;)