Picking the Right Writer's Conference to Join

Writers Conferences: A Gateway to Literary Growth

For aspiring writers, the digital landscape offers a wealth of opportunities to expand their craft, with a simple online search for "writers conferences" yielding thousands of results. Two reliable resources for comprehensive databases of conferences are Poets and Writers and author Erica Verillo's personal website.

Erica Verillo, a former elementary general music teacher, is a prolific blogger at ARHtistic License, where she discusses the arts and the creative process. With a YA mystical fantasy, a Bible study guide, a poetry chapbook, and mystery and MG drafts in the works, she can be found on Twitter and Instagram, showcasing her artwork, photography, and quilts.

Writers conferences vary in scope and focus, offering all-day or multi-day tracks in specific genres, as well as one-hour classes on a myriad of writing topics. To make the most of your conference experience, it's essential to determine your objectives and choose a conference that aligns with your needs. For instance, if you're interested in writing essays for periodicals, SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) might not be the best fit.

Some conferences provide scholarships or grants for writers who cannot afford the registration fee, while others may be located nearby, reducing travel and lodging costs. However, the conference featuring your dream author, agent, or editor might be in a distant state.

The cost of a writers conference can range significantly, from small, local, one-day events costing as little as $50 for three workshops, to large, national, multiple-day conferences that can set you back hundreds or even thousands of dollars. To make an informed decision, reading reviews and testimonials from past attendees can help you gauge the conference's quality and value.

When it comes to accommodation, while some conferences may require you to stay at the venue hotel, this is not always the case. Alternative options, though less convenient, can sometimes be less expensive.

Some conferences offer classes or workshops with "homework" assignments to be completed during class time or breaks, providing a hands-on learning experience. The first conference the author attended was put on by American Christian Writers near their home.

When considering a writers conference, factors such as location, cost, reputation, and the qualifications of the instructors or speakers are crucial. If authors, agents, or editors you admire or whose work you admire will be present at the conference, it could be a valuable opportunity to connect with them.

For those attending a conference outside of commuting distance, budgeting for accommodation is necessary. Past attendees might offer to host you, or you could consider staying with friends.

Over the years, the author has attended various small local conferences, writers workshops, and large national ones such as the Mount Hermon Christian writers conference, Desert Nights, Rising Stars writers conference at Arizona State University, and the Maui Writers Conference (now defunct).

It's essential to ensure that the conference offers what you want to learn about, and that there are enough offerings that interest you to fill your schedule. Recommended current writers' conferences in Germany for authors include narrativa 2025 in Berlin, the 17th Literary Summer Academy Schrobenhausen, MetropolCon Berlin 2026 for sci-fi/fantasy/horror, the Poesiefestival Berlin 2025, the Literaturfest Meißen 2025, and the Sprachsalz International Literature Festival in Kufstein.

Remember to research and plan ahead, as popular conferences may sell out quickly and require early registration. A writers conference can provide opportunities for learning the craft, attending presentations by authors, hearing about publishing trends, pitching work to agents or editors, and networking with other writers. Each conference offers various events such as workshops, book signings, critique sessions, publisher roundtables, dinners, keynote speakers, agent panels, pitch opportunities, freelancing seminars, and more. When attending a conference outside of commuting distance, it's important to consider the cost of travel, meals, and lodging in addition to the conference fee.