Every time I attend a conference or any author event, I fully intend to take lots of pictures. Social media wants images, not just words. Even these blog posts are more interesting with photos.
Last weekend, I
attended the Pennwriters Conference, and did I take any pictures? Not really. I
did record a video of an award presentation, because the recipient wasn’t able
to attend. But otherwise, nope.
So, I have had to resort to thievery by stealing this photo of me teaching a workshop (photo credit to Wende Dikec.)
For those who don’t know, writers attend a variety of different kinds of conferences and conventions. There are fan conventions such as last month’s Malice Domestic or Bouchercon. Readers flock to these to meet their favorite authors. Authors flock to these to meet readers!
Then there are writers’ conferences such as Pennwriters. These are geared to writers (although, yes, writers are also fans of other writers) and provide workshops on craft, marketing, publishing, and such. There are agents and editors to whom attendees can pitch their manuscripts. And there are social opportunities galore, including two keynote addresses.
It’s a chance to spend time with our tribe.
I started attending Pennwriters conferences back in 2004 when I was a starry-eyed newbie with a horrible manuscript in hand and hope in my heart. I think I started volunteering the following year. In 2009, I served as conference coordinator. In all these years, I only missed one, and that was due to a family wedding. I’ve been teaching workshops there for quite a while now. This year, I taught three.
Side note (to add some suspense to the weekend): As I was preparing to present my third workshop, my laptop died. My presentation depended on a PowerPoint slide show. After trying and failing to resuscitate my five-year old computer, I thanked my lucky stars that I’d thought to save the PowerPoint to a flash drive. As you can well imagine, there were more than a few laptops in the building. My traveling buddy, Liz Milliron, loaned hers to me and set it up so it was ready to roll. The workshop went off without another hitch.
And the stupid laptop decided to come back to life the next day. In case you’re wondering, I’ve already ordered a new one, because I can’t rely on this old one anymore. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…
From that first conference 21 years ago, when I knew nothing and no one, to this last one, life has changed immensely. No more printing out manuscripts to submit. No more snail mail queries. I’ve gone from student to teacher. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the comradery. Those of us who’ve been around for a minute offer guidance, support, and cheerleading to those who are coming up behind us. I hope I’m still able to join my tribe for this annual tradition for another 21 years.
Have you ever
attended a writers’ (or a fan) conference? If so, tell us about it.
I have attended both kinds. But I will diverge from point to suggest you invest in an inexpensive cloud backup solution. That way you can access your material from any computer or phone should your laptop choose to go AWOL.
ReplyDeleteAlready done, Jim. I've had a lot of people suggest ways to recover lost material when the laptop died, but I save EVERYTHING on Dropbox. It let's me switch from desktop to laptop seamlessly, plus it prevents losing files, documents, photos, etc, when a hard drive goes up in proverbial smoke unexpectedly. It's a lesson I learned the hard way a couple of computers ago.
DeleteAh, computers. Wonderful when they work; super-frustrating when they don't. At least we have backups these days.
ReplyDeleteI've been to a few conferences, and I love them. I hope to make Pennwriters next year.
KM, that would be fabulous!
DeleteGood morning, Annette! I love the Pennwriters conference and you're right - it's all about spending time with your tribe!
ReplyDeleteNo one truly understands writers like other writers, Martha.
DeleteYes, I've been to both fan conventions (Malice, Bouchercon, and Left Coast Crime) and writer's conferences (Crime Bake and Thrillerfest). I would love to attend Sleuthfest one day.
ReplyDeleteSleuthfest was fun! I need to wedge it into my travel budget again sometime.
DeleteI'm with you, conferences are invigorating and tiring... but very much worth it for the way they energize me.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely worth it, Debra.
DeleteThe only writer’s conference I attended was the Writer’s Police Academy. Met you there, Annette. Hard to believe that was in 2014! The energy and the inspiration were amazing. I’d love to attend more, but life has a way of getting in the way – maybe next year. That’s my mantra.
ReplyDeleteI remember that, Kait! That's a totally different kind of conference and sooooo educational!
DeleteI went to my first writers conference in 2019, and was promptly recruited as staff. This was my third Pennwriters. I’ve become an editor and adore being with my tribe. Afterward, though, my hermit side comes forth and I avoid people for a few days! My brain was over-full, and my heart was bursting.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I hear you. I'm always "peopled out" after being at a conference and need some time to recharge.
Delete