I made the suggestion recently, that writers would benefit from finding other writers to work with, learn with, learn from. Some of the ways I mentioned are: conferences, retreats, workshops and writers groups. In these different settings you can usually find editors, literary agents, mentors, publishers, etc. You may have the opportunity to learn from and even meet with some of these professionals to discuss your particular needs.
I plan to give you a head start on your research here, if you want to avail yourself of these resources. My list will by no means be exhaustive, it is just a taste of what is available to you. I know not everyone who reads my blog is a Christian writer, so I plan to give a choice for the Christian genre and the secular genre writers.
Conferences:
Northeast
Secular:
The Muse & the Marketplace
GrubStreet's National Conference for Writers
Boston, MA
April 5th-7th, 2019
This is a large conference with over 800 attendees. This conference is known for drawing some of New York's finest agents and editors.
Christian:
Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference
Dock Mennonite Academy
Lansdale, PA
August 8-10, 2019
All I know about this conference, is that it has been going for 36 years and has a great reputation. I have visited Philadelphia and it has so much history, it is worth the visit. One tip, if you want a great Philly Cheese Steak sandwich, ask a local police officer. That's what we did and he pointed us to a sandwich shop that made the most delicious one I had ever eaten.
West:
Secular:
Fort Collins Marriott
Fort Collins, Colorado
May 3-4, 2019
This conference will actually be held on a cruise! Their website states, "The NCWC is one few writers' conferences that caters to a variety of genres including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting."
Christian:
Red Lion Hotel on the River - Jantzen Beach
Portland, Oregon
August 12-15, 2019
With keynote speakers like Brian Bird (When Calls the Heart-Hallmark Channel) and Francine Rivers (A member of Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame), this must be a great conference.
Secular:
SteuthFest 2019
Embassy Suites by Hilton Boca Raton
Boca Raton, Florida
May 14-17, 2019
This one is for Mystery, Suspense and Thriller writers. One of the highlights of this conference is the hands-on forensic workshops!
Christian:
Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference
Ridgecrest Conference Center
Ridgecrest, NC
May 19-23, 2019
On their website they write, "This is an intensive, hands-on workshop. Participants should bring a WIP and writing materials." I have been to the Ridgecrest Conferences Center several times for marriage retreats and enjoyed it very much. That area of the country is beautiful.
Bonus Christian:
ACFW 2019 Conference
San Antonio, Texas
Hyatt Regency at the Alamo
September 26-29, 2019
I attended this conference last year in Nashville, TN (Refer back to my three posts in September regarding this). I thoroughly enjoyed my first conference experience there. I plan to attend again this year. It was a wonderful experience. I learned so much and I met some of my favorite authors. This is definitely a great choice, if you are a Christian fiction writer. Also, I have visited San Antonio, TX many times and love it. It has so much history. Make sure to visit the riverwalk, if you go.
Midwest:
Secular:
MWW Super Mini Conference
Ball State Alumni Center
Muncie, Indiana
July 27-28, 2019
"Our programming schedule focuses on key areas such as craft improvement, genre knowledge, finding critique partners, and forming writing support groups to help improve your writing."-website. They have designed their mini conference for writers of every level.
Christian:
Breathe Christian Writers Conference
L. V. Eberhard Center
Grand Valley State University
Grand Rapids, MI
October 18-19, 2019
This is a conference by writers for writers. "Our smaller conference size means you get to mix and mingle with the breakout session leaders and keynote speaker."-website. Their keynote speaker is Gary Schmidt a Newbery Honor and a Printz Honor recipient.
Ok, there you have it. This is just a handful of the options available to you. I hope you will seriously consider attending a conference this year, if you really want to step up to the next level in your writing. If you aren't a writer, there are probably great conferences in your particular area of interest.
I hope this is helpful. I hope this inspires you to find others at your level or those with years more experience to share your journey and help you along the way.
❉ Remember to subscribe here and on my website. (My website is still new and a work in progress.) I hope to get my first newsletter out this month and it should be made available to my website subscribers.
May God bless you and your family this week.
In Christ,
Sandy
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