Um, won't go because I'm not a member?srf89 said:
Any good reason to go to the Writer's Digest conference this summer?
I signed up for a one-year "membership" with Writer's Digest last year, not knowing much about who they are because I was just starting my foray into book publishing and I figured they were the authority on book publishing issues because they are a well-known name.
Anyway, they're advertising their annual conference in NYC this summer. I've never gone to any writer's conference of that caliber, and the cost of attendance and time seems awfully high. But is it perhaps worth my time to go there? I want to hear from anyone who can tell me why you would, or would not, go to the Writer's Digest conference.
BTW my "membership" expires in about 5 months.
Anyway, they're advertising their annual conference in NYC this summer. I've never gone to any writer's conference of that caliber, and the cost of attendance and time seems awfully high. But is it perhaps worth my time to go there? I want to hear from anyone who can tell me why you would, or would not, go to the Writer's Digest conference.
BTW my "membership" expires in about 5 months.
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I would not go, even if I were a member, because the last and only writers' conference I attended was a complete waste of my time and money. It was a marketplace for trade publishers and vanity presses to sell unsuspecting writers overpriced services and to coach us on how to meet their needs. Really predatory. I spent the whole long weekend telling the writers there about this forum and people on here's success at indie publishing.
Making your presence there valuable for others, at least, if not for yourself. Now if only they'd pay you to show up and help people...Cherise Kelley said:I spent the whole long weekend telling the writers there about this forum and people on here's success at indie publishing.
If you are interested in conference, why not go to one that is specific to the genre you write? I once considered going to the WD Conference for the same reasons you list, and you are correct, it is quite pricey! What do you write and where do you live? Start there. I'm planning on hitting the RWA Conference in NYC this summer, and likely two other conferences on the east coast in the next couple months where I will meet up with others writers I know.
I bet lots of others can chime in here for good conferences to go to for each genre.
Contemporary & Paranormal Fiction: Roanoke Author Invasion Roanoke, VA on 4/11/15
Young Adult/New Adult UtopYA June 18-21 in Nashville, TN
Romance Romance Writers of America Annual Conference, New York City, July 22-25
I bet lots of others can chime in here for good conferences to go to for each genre.
Contemporary & Paranormal Fiction: Roanoke Author Invasion Roanoke, VA on 4/11/15
Young Adult/New Adult UtopYA June 18-21 in Nashville, TN
Romance Romance Writers of America Annual Conference, New York City, July 22-25
One does not have to be a member to attend the conference, but thanks for the feedback!
I attended a WD conference in NYC about seven years ago or so? I can't remember...it's been awhile, so certainly things may have changed since I went.
My experience was mostly positive. I was seeking traditional publication at that time, and found the pitch sessions to be very invaluable, as well as the information on querying/agents. I remember there being one craft session that was quite good as well. Self pub wasn't on my radar at all, so I don't remember there being much about it there, but WD does skew heavily towards self pub now (and sometimes the scammy/spammy services of self pub, which I don't like), so I'm sure it'll be there.
Overall, I found it a good conference for a beginner who's just starting out. I've also attended my state's SCBWI conference, the RT Booklovers Convention, and a few smaller ones. I found the WD conference to be on par with price and quality as my state's SCBWI, but not as good as RT (although RT was way more expensive).
My experience was mostly positive. I was seeking traditional publication at that time, and found the pitch sessions to be very invaluable, as well as the information on querying/agents. I remember there being one craft session that was quite good as well. Self pub wasn't on my radar at all, so I don't remember there being much about it there, but WD does skew heavily towards self pub now (and sometimes the scammy/spammy services of self pub, which I don't like), so I'm sure it'll be there.
Overall, I found it a good conference for a beginner who's just starting out. I've also attended my state's SCBWI conference, the RT Booklovers Convention, and a few smaller ones. I found the WD conference to be on par with price and quality as my state's SCBWI, but not as good as RT (although RT was way more expensive).
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