Why Publishing & Writers’ Conferences Are Game-Changers for Growth

As a writer, it can be easy to get sucked into the solitary lifestyle, working on your manuscript day after day, rarely interacting face-to-face with anyone outside of your family, let alone anyone who understands the challenges and joys of your literary world. That’s why writers’ conferences are must-attend events for authors and aspiring writers; they offer an invaluable opportunity for connection and networking. With publishing and author conferences, writers can get outside their comfort zone, meet with others in the industry, build their brand, and so much more. While attending publishing events doesn’t come without a cost, the investment is more than worth it. Find out why publishing conferences are such a game-changing experience and how to make the most of them; plus, don’t miss a detailed list of the best writers’ conferences to attend this year!  

   

What Are Writers’ Conferences & Publishing Conferences?

If you’ve never been to a publishing conference, getting the scoop on the who, what, and where may be helpful before you book anything. Writers’ conferences and publishing conferences are professional gatherings of aspiring writers, established authors, publishers, editors, literary agents, book distributors, bookstore owners, librarians, and other industry professionals that usually take place over the course of several days. Depending on the event, conferences can include guest speakers, breakout sessions, networking sessions, panel discussions, seminars, pitch sessions, readings, competitions, and more. Some conferences even allow you to sign up for short appointments to talk one-on-one with agents and editors to discuss your manuscript.  

   

What are the Benefits of Writing Conferences?

While networking opportunities are the main reason most people sign up for writers’ conferences, there are many additional benefits that make the cost of that conference ticket well worth the investment. 

Promotion: Author conferences are the perfect place to market your book. Apply to be on a panel, engage in breakout sessions, enter competitions, or simply chat with fellow authors. All of these are opportunities to build your author brand, expand your audience, and sell more copies of your book because, in the end, authors are readers, too! 

   

Collaboration: Writers’ conferences are a goldmine for collaboration. Get a bunch of like-minded creative people in a room together and you’re bound to come away with some exciting outcomes. Whether you’re looking to find fellow authors to read and review your book for your author website, give a blurb for your book cover, or team up with an editor or publisher to discuss your manuscript face-to-face, there’s no better place to do so than at a publishing event. 

   

Feedback: Bringing a chapter of your book or a writing sample to writers’ conferences is one of the best things you can do because it’s an opportunity to get feedback from others in the industry, including other authors, agents, editors, and publishers. Come away from the conference with actionable takeaways on how to improve your manuscript to make it more compelling and more marketable. 

   

Knowledge: Similar to feedback, one of the most important things you can get out of a publishing conference is information, whether it’s learning about industry news and trends or discovering tips on enhancing your writing. 

   

Inspiration: Perhaps the most impactful benefit that can come from attending a writers’ conference is renewed motivation and inspiration. There’s nothing quite like being in a space surrounded by fellow writers where you can get advice and encouragement, share new experiences, and get out of your regular routine and comfort zone. Shaking things up by attending author conferences can make a big difference when it comes to getting over writer’s block or coming up with an idea for your next manuscript. 

   

How to Maximize Your Experience at Publishing & Writers’ Conferences

1. Set Goals: Before you set foot at a publishing conference, think about what you want to get out of the event. What are your top priorities for attending? Are you looking to find a publisher or agent? Or do you want to get feedback on your manuscript? Sometimes, identifying the challenges you’re facing can help identify your goals. Are you having a hard time marketing your book? Are you having writer’s block? Knowing what you’re looking for and setting goals ahead of time will help you come out of the conference with actionable takeaways.  
2. Be Prepared: Take time to review the conference agenda ahead of time. Research the speakers and bookmark the most useful sessions. Many publishing events have Facebook groups that you can join in advance, so that you can start your networking early. Determine who you want to meet up with at the conference, reach out, and set up meetings before the conference even starts. 
3. Pack the Essentials: Bringing the right materials with you is essential when attending publishing events. Be sure to take plenty of business cards and any other branded material you may have. Some writers have swag, which can include anything from character trading cards to bookmarks to t-shirts. Don’t forget to pack samples of your writing, whether it’s paperback copies of your book or other writing excerpts. These will allow you to get immediate feedback on your writing from other conference attendees. 
4. Practice Your Elevator Pitch: Be ready to give an overview of your author brand and a synopsis of your book in 60 seconds to potential publishers and agents. 
5. Be Flexible: It’s important to be prepared when attending writers’ conferences, but you also need to go with the flow. Often, the best connections are made during unstructured time or at after-hours meetups. Take advantage of the relaxed atmosphere of evening social events and strike up a conversation with the person next to you at the bar! 
6. Follow Up: After the conference is over, connect with fellow attendees on LinkedIn and via email right away. The connections you make at publishing events are only good if you stay in touch. 

   

How to Choose the Best Writers’ Conference

Selecting a publishing conference to attend can seem daunting. There are about as many writers’ conferences as there are genres of literature. So, how do you choose the best writers’ conferences to help you achieve your goals? Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:

• Conference theme or focus 
• Speaker lineup
• Event size (regional vs. national/international)
• Geographic location
• In-person vs. virtual
• Cost to attend
• Level of experience