Writers Conferences

Why?

Because sitting at a bunch of little tables waiting for you, are some very important people we like to call, Editors. On some occasions we also like to call them Agents.

These are the people that can make your writing life a lot better. You know those people, the ones who actually accept or reject those manuscripts you keep sending in left and right.

Yeah...those people.

Turns out they're not as bad as we thought they were. They're not even waiting there just so they can reject you and see the crushed look on your face.

NOPE!

Editors, buyers of books, and Agents, your advocate to help sell the book, are people who want you to succeed as well. They are giving and kind people, despite what we think when we receive a rejection letter.

By the way...those rejection letters, are good signs. Yup! Believe it or not, if you receive a letter of rejection, it means the Christian Editor thought enough of your work to send you one.

See Editor's are VERY busy people. When they are not wading through slush piles...Slush piles are stacks of unsolicited manuscripts...then the editor is going to meetings, pitching the books they just acquired at a writers conference, or a thousand other kinds of meetings editors go to to get you into print.

These people have a thankless job so many times. The truth is, the Christian editor does not want to send you a rejection. But it is the nature of the beast in the highly competitive world of writing.

So what does this have to do with writers conferences?

At a Christian writers conference, you will find other attendees who are just as eager as you are, to see their words in print. Most of these kind people will gladly give you a critique of your work--for free!

You will have opportunities to sit at dinners with authors who are already in print. Most are happy to chat about your project and give a few pointers on how to improve your manuscript. Find out more about how to prepare for a writers conference here.

If you do sit across from an editor or agent, they will be kind and considerate as they listen to you pitch your idea. If they have to say, "No thank you," it will be with a kind heart toward your work. They may even give you some great advice on

Don't forget those classes at the writers conferences. You'll find excellent instruction there. Classes are usually taught by published authors, by agents, by editors and the like. All of these professionals are out there doing what you want to be doing--so listen to them.

The following are typical questions people ask before they decide to go to a conference.

1. What if my story isn't finished yet?

2. Writers Conferences are too expensive.

Don't neglect these local conferences as they have just as much value for the buck as the bigger ones.

3. Okay, I'll go, but which one?

Are we dissing the non-Christian? No, not at all. We are simply pointing out the difference in worldviews. Not to mention, the secular editor is less likely to have a platform for your Christian manuscript.

Although, we must point out, with the growth in Christian book sells, the secular publishers are forming Christian imprints to buy those manuscripts. The operative word here is to shop around.

5. But my story is meant for a Secular market.

6. Do I have to go to ONLY a Christian writers conference if I'm a Christian?