Comments on: Guest Post: Why Writing Conferences Work For Me

By: nerd's eye view

nerd's eye view — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:13:08 +0000

I’d not gone because for me, it added up to be about a 1500 dollar weekend. I just couldn’t make sense of the math. I totally get where you’re coming from. I really hope they’ll find a way to bring the price down a bit.

By: JoAnna

JoAnna — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:36:57 +0000

Book Passage is *the* conference I’d really like to attend, but it’s incredibly expensive, as you said. And it’s not just the conference fees that add up – San Francisco’s hotels, food, etc. – yikes! I’ve been saving up for two years, and I think I might finally be able to go next year.

Nonetheless, I definitely agree with everything you said. A good writing conference is a great writing conference. I love the ones that leave me feeling motivated, inspired and excited!

By: Eva

Eva — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:40:42 +0000

Awesome point about the volunteering, Doug!

By: Doug Mack

Doug Mack — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 03:59:29 +0000

Solid points, Eva! For me, the Key West Literary Seminar has been my Writing Golden Ticket, one of the smartest things I’ve ever done for my writing path/career/whatever-it’s-called. I’ve gone for five or six years now and I’ve met editors who later published my stories and other writers with whom I still exchange work, to say nothing of many, many lifelong literary friends. KWLS isn’t really focused on the on the craft of writing–though that does come up here and there, of course–but I’ve learned so, so much from hearing famous writers talk about their work and from informal discussions with Actual Authors or lowly-conference-attendee-aspiring-authors. In my experience, I often learn more from informal chit-chat than I do from the panel discussions and presentations themselves. (Also, KWLS is in January in Key West, and I live in Minnesota, so …)

On the money issue, I’d recommend seeing if you can attend a conference as a volunteer. That’s what I do at KWLS. I still have to buy my own plane ticket and find a place to stay, but I don’t pay the general event fee. They just ask that I work as a volunteer for about half the time; the other half (and, I might add, during all the parties and that sort of thing), I’m free to go into the event space and hear the readings and panels. It’s work, but it’s totally worth it (and even when I’m working, I’m doing it with cool, book-loving people–many of whom I also now consider friends).

Added perk: volunteering gives you at least a bit of backstage access and generally more respect from panelists (at least at KWLS). You’re not just another random literary groupie–you’re the one who drove them to their hotel or did line-control during their book-signing or simply opened the door for them. At this point, I can’t imagine attending KWLS any *other* way.

By: Nancy D. Brown

Nancy D. Brown — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:40:04 +0000

Eva,
I can’t believe it has been four years since we first met at Book Passage in Corte Madera, California.

As a two time attendee of the conference, I found it much easier to put myself out there and network the second year. For me personally, the first year was very intimidating being around so many talented writers/faculty members.

My advice for conference attendees is to go with an open mind and open ears. Absorb as much as possible from the faculty, as they are there to help you become a better travel writer.

Have a great time Pam and bring the uke, of course, for karaoke night!