Tuesday, December 8, 2009

It's Time to Start Thinking About Conferences

image courtesy of paul

I know, I know. Christmas isn't even here yet, but it's not that far away. And with the new year right around the corner it got me to thinking about writing conferences. I attended two last year OWFI and MWG. Both are in the planning stages for 2010. Each was good and had lots to offer in the way of speakers, motivation and opportunities.

OWFI is a class act and hard to beat. The quality just keeps getting better. MWG was smaller than normal last year, but I still got my money's worth.

Last year was my 2nd year for OWFI and my 4th or 5th year for MWG. For me, attending conferences is all about two things, networking and pitching my novel. So this year I've decided to branch out and try another conference or two.

Any suggestions? I'm curious about Jackson Hole Writer's Conference, Mad Anthony, Northern Colorado Writers Workshop, Society of Southwestern Writers, South Carolina Writers Workshop Conference.

But I'm open to suggestions. Any of you have any tried and true conferences or workshops that you attend?

Tell me...

9 comments:

BECKY said...

Hey Tricia....right now a conference in a palm-tree-filled climate sounds really nice!

Dianna Graveman said...

Anything in Colorado or Wyoming--I'm in! If you want someone to carpool and share expenses with, keep me in mind! (I'm a western gal at heart.)

Tricia Sanders said...

Becky, I know what you mean...palm trees, sand, little umbrellas in frosty drinks. Errr, I mean networking with fellow writers while warm, tropical breezes caress your shoulders.

Tricia Sanders said...

Diana,

Western sounds good to me...

Dianna said...

Have you heard of the Aspen Summer Words literary festival? Another one I want to try. I've been to Aspen during the summer enough times to know where all the "cheap" places are to eat, too! (La Cantina has the best margaritas west of the Mississippi.)

Tricia Sanders said...

Dianna, I don't know about the festival, but the writing retreat sounds interesting.

Patti said...

I attended the Jackson Hole Writers' Conference last summer and it was excellent. The quality of writers is superb, and the opportunity for feedback is tremendous. Very high quality conference. The town is expensive, however. The fee is not.

Tricia Sanders said...

Patti,

Thanks for the feedback. Good to know.

Ashley said...

I want to look into the Mad Anthony cuz I can visit my daughter at Miami of Ohio while there ... and the South Carolina one definitely could be fun - I mean, informative! Have big plans for my empty-nest years. Many of them involve escaping the nest for warmth and frivolity.