Why every writer should go to a conference

Guess what? FLOW, the second book in my middle grade series, is now OUT! The first review came in on release day, and I was swooning over the kind words. If you love reading middle grade, have kids 8-12 in your world, know any elementary school teachers or teacher-librarians, it would be wonderful if you could share this title with them. Available at Owl’s Nest, on Amazon and Kobo, and can be ordered from your favourite bookstore.

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Last Sunday, when my newsletter should have been landing in your inbox, I was preparing to teach a one-hour workshop on memoir. It was a 9:00 AM session on the final day of When Words Collide, a three-day writers’ (and readers’) festival. I expected attendance to be spotty. I know from my own experience last year that by Sunday morning, everyone is fried, brains are exhausted, and bodies are spent from running from one building to the next to get to the next panel/workshop/lecture. People sleep in, take their time getting coffee, slowly easing into the final push.

I was so thrilled to see 18 eager faces looking at me as I stood at the front of the room. These were dedicated writers, early birds, probably. At last year’s festival, when I was an attendee, not a panelist and instructor, I was the one pushing myself to the limits.

Until I attended WWC in 2023, I hd never been to a writers’ conference. I hadn’t leaned into writing until 2018 and two things kept me from going: not feeling like I was ready and lack of funds. WWC is not pricey, but when you are an emerging writer who is self-publishing, every cent must be managed. By the time I had funds and confidence, it was 2020, and the entire conference went online that year.

Turns out, this was a good thing. I could get my feet wet without putting too much skin in the game. From the comfort of my home office, I could participate as much, or as little, as I liked. In a ballsy move, I submitted the first page of the young adult book I was working on for the live action SLUSH - an event where the page is anonymously read aloud to a group of editors who then give feedback. I sat in front of my computer, alternating between wanting my page to be randomly selected and wishing my internet would crap out.

My page was chosen, the feedback given, and then the panel of editors asked if the writer wanted to come forward. I turned on my webcam and unmuted without hesitation.

Something happened to me at that virtual conference: I stepped into my place as a writer. I put myself and my work out there. It was terrifying. Yet it felt familiar and safe.

This was a big change for me. Until I was in my mid-40s, I was never one to go first, to stand with confidence at the front of the class while presenting, to sit in the front row, to open myself to criticism. I hid in the shadows, watching others take the spotlight. Taking part in the virtual edition of When Words Collide gave me the choice of when to be visibile and when to quietly observe.

I bought my ticket for the 2023 conference with the intent to learn as much as I could about the craft of writing. I exhausted myself physically and mentally. I had a notebook filled with ideas, inspiration, and actionable insights. I also had an epiphany: I belonged on the other side of the table. With 3 published memoirs, a newly released middle grade novel and another on the way, I knew I had a lot to offer attendees. So for 2024, I applied to be a presenter. I was accepted, taking part in a middle grade writing panel and I teaching a Memoir 101 class.

Wherever you are in your writing journey, here are great reasons to go to a conference.

1. There is always something to learn. I discovered new ideas for a book launch, saw opportunities to improve my website, and gained a new understanding of the bookseller/author relationship.

   

   Whenever Angela Ackerman holds a session, I am there. This year, her sessions were standing room/sitting on the floor packed. If you are a writer, you must invest in your craft with Angela’s, and her co-creator, Becca Puglisi’s books.

2. You will find your people. All the writers I’ve met have been generous with their praise and their guidance. We share the same struggles. We need to hear about the victories.

   

   My good friend and fellow author, Laurie Carmichael. In front of her is Negar B, an academic working on her dissertation (see? writers are everywhere!). Negar took the 8-week memoir class I taught at AWCS in January.

3. The camaraderie is so genuine. We all chose to be at the conference. The energy is palpable and infectious.

   

   Developmental editor and book coach Kim Cheel. Aren’t we fabulous?

4. You’ll find yourself excited about writing again. A woman I met last weekend told me she was inspired to continue on with a project she put aside months ago. I couldn’t wait to get back to my keyboard and apply some new techniques.

5. Relationships will flourish. I hugged people I’ve only known online. Shared meals with writers I adore. Got more familiar with people I met briefly in 2023. I’m now planning an event with someone who was at WWC but whom I never actually met over the three days. Common ground starts here.

I’m really looking forward to next year’s When Words Collide. By then, I’ll have six, possibly seven, published books, more successes and failures to share, and more writer friends than I ever dreamed of. Buying a ticket was the best investment I made in my author self.

xo Dana

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What I’m reading

Nothing stuck with me last week, mostly because I was recovering from the conference and then had a full week of life/work. I started and quit three books, so I’d like to use this space to let you know about a creative writing class happening at Bow Valley College in Okotoks. The instructor, Dorothy Bentley, is a friend of mine and a very fine writer and teacher.