A writing conference is a perfect mix of all the ingredients you need to grow as a writer. It doesn’t matter if you are just beginning or have a thriving writing career; a good conference provides everything, and it all happens over the span of a few days.
Conferences offer the opportunity to attend sessions to improve your writing, learn strategies about the business of writing, be inspired by bestselling authors, connect with industry experts, talk shop with other writers, pitch to agents, and stay current on what is happening in the world of writing and publishing.
There are many great writing conferences around the country, but that doesn’t mean they are all a good fit for you. Finding the writing conference that meets your goals can take some time but will be worth it in the long run.
THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC
The pandemic changed writing conferences. Initially in 2020, the events were either canceled or shifted online. Then, as we moved through the pandemic, conference directors had to rethink their approaches. People were used to staying home, and most of the country became proficient at using Zoom and other online meeting platforms.
Writing organizations and conference directors are determined and passionate about supporting writers and knew they needed to adjust how they staged events and connected to their audience.
Kate Ristau, executive director of Willamette Writers in Washington, quickly pivoted in 2020 and offered an all-virtual conference that year. Her organization also understood how fragile everyone’s emotional health was at that time, deepening the need for writers to stay connected.
“During the height of the pandemic, we gathered volunteers for a Care Team to just check in on people — to make sure they were able to get online, get connected, and that they were safe and felt
