In this post, I’ll give you 3 pros and 3 cons on To CON or not to CON. In case you’re wondering, there’s so much more you can explore on your own, but I’m hoping to give you a short insight on some questions to start asking yourself if you should attend conventions or not. In the end, I’ll give you links to the ones I’m attending, but of course, that list is not all-inclusive, and you should seek out the ones that interest you the most.

Pros of Attending Literary Conferences: 

1. Networking: Connect with fellow writers, agents, and industry professionals, fostering valuable relationships.

• Networking Opportunities: Literary conferences bring together writers, agents, editors, publishers, and other industry professionals in one place. This creates a unique environment where you can connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for writing and publishing. You have the chance to meet and interact with people who can potentially become valuable contacts in your writing journey.
•  Building Relationships: Conferences offer a conducive setting to establish relationships with fellow writers, industry insiders, and potential mentors. These connections can lead to collaboration opportunities, mentorship, and valuable advice. Engaging in conversations and sharing experiences with other writers can be inspiring and motivating, fostering a sense of community and support. We all know how lonely the author’s experience can be, yet it doesn’t have to be once you connect with your tribe.
• Professional Contacts: Connecting with agents, editors, and publishers at conferences can open doors to potential publishing opportunities. Building relationships with industry professionals allows you to pitch your work directly, receive valuable feedback, and gain insights into the publishing process. These contacts may also provide guidance on navigating the publishing industry and help you stay informed about market trends. Not everyone wants a traditional publishing deal; however, understanding what the market is looking for and having connections leads to better sales.
• Knowledge Sharing: Networking extends beyond formal interactions. Informal conversations, social events, and shared experiences during conferences provide opportunities to learn from others. You can exchange ideas and discuss writing techniques, marketing strategies, and industry insights. These discussions can broaden your perspective, spark creativity, and enhance your understanding of the writing and publishing landscape. It’s not always about business. Get to know people on a personal level and connect. After all, we’re all people in the end.
• Long-Term Support: Networking at conferences can lead to long-term relationships and support systems. You may find critique partners, writing groups, or accountability partners who can provide ongoing feedback, encouragement, and support throughout your writing journey. These connections can be invaluable as you navigate the ups and downs of the writing process. You don’t have to go alone in this journey, and you can find a tribe that is willing to excel you to the top of the charts and to the dream you set out to have.

 2. Learning Opportunities: Attend workshops, panels, and presentations to gain insights into various aspects of writing, publishing, and marketing. 

• Learning from Experts: Literary conferences often feature workshops, panels, and presentations conducted by industry experts, bestselling authors, editors, agents, and marketing professionals. These sessions provide a platform for learning from experienced individuals who can share their knowledge, insights, and strategies. You can gain valuable information about writing, publishing, and marketing aspects, including craft techniques, industry trends, self-editing tips, book promotion strategies, and more. Why not learn from those who have come before you?
• Skill Development: Workshops and conference sessions offer a chance to develop and refine your writing skills. You can learn about specific writing techniques, storytelling approaches, character development, plot structure, dialogue, and other elements that contribute to crafting compelling narratives. You can enhance your writing abilities and broaden your creative toolkit by attending sessions focused on your areas of interest or areas you want to improve. You don’t have to attend everything. Focus on what you need to learn and zero in on that.
• Industry Insights: Literary conferences provide a unique opportunity to gain insights into the ever-evolving publishing industry. Panels and presentations often cover traditional publishing, self-publishing, hybrid models, literary trends, emerging genres, and digital platforms. Understanding the current landscape and industry practices can help you make informed decisions about your writing career, from manuscript submission strategies to marketing plans. Once you learn something, it changes, and keeping up with those changes will ensure you continue making sales. Don’t get stagnant in your career if you want to be a successful writer.
• Networking with Experts: Alongside the learning opportunities, workshops, and sessions also provide a chance to interact with industry experts and professionals. During Q&A sessions or informal conversations, you can ask questions, seek advice, and receive feedback on your work. Building connections with experts in the field can offer ongoing support, mentorship, and potential collaboration opportunities.
• Inspiration and Motivation: Conferences are not just about learning practical skills but can reignite your passion for writing. Being in an environment surrounded by fellow writers and industry professionals can be highly motivating. Hearing success stories, learning from experienced authors, and engaging in conversations with like-minded individuals can inspire fresh ideas, boost creativity, and reaffirm your commitment to your writing goals.

3. Industry Trends: Stay up-to-date with the latest trends, innovations, and market demands in the literary world. 

• Industry Insights: Literary conferences provide a pulse on the current state of the publishing industry. Keynote speeches, panel discussions, and presentations often shed light on emerging trends, evolving reader preferences, and new opportunities for authors. You can make informed decisions regarding your writing, marketing strategies, and overall career trajectory by staying informed about the industry landscape.
• Market Demands: Understanding market demands is crucial for authors seeking to connect with readers and secure publishing deals. Conferences offer a platform to learn about the types of stories, genres, and themes that are in high demand. Publishers, agents, and industry professionals often share insights on what readers are looking for and what publishing houses are actively seeking. This knowledge can help you tailor your work to align with market needs and increase your chances of success.
• Genre and Niche Trends: Literary conferences often feature sessions dedicated to specific genres or niches within the industry. These sessions dive deep into genre-specific trends, discussing what’s popular, what’s emerging, and what’s on the horizon. Whether you write in romance, mystery, science fiction, or any other genre, attending these sessions can provide valuable information on what readers are currently craving and help you position your work accordingly.
• Technological Innovations: The publishing industry is constantly evolving with advancements in technology. Conferences often showcase the latest tools, platforms, and digital strategies that can enhance an author’s reach and visibility. From discussions on e-books, audiobooks, and interactive storytelling to sessions on social media marketing and digital advertising, you can gain insights into innovative approaches that can elevate your writing career.
• Networking for Market Intel: Networking with fellow authors, agents, editors, and industry professionals at conferences can also provide valuable market intelligence. Conversations with professionals in the field can uncover insider information, upcoming trends, and insights into what publishers are seeking. These informal discussions and connections can give you a competitive edge and help you navigate the ever-changing literary landscape.

Cons of Attending Literary Conferences: 

1. Cost: Conference fees, travel expenses, accommodation, and other associated costs can add up, posing a financial burden. 

• Cost of Conference Fees: Literary conferences typically require attendees to pay registration fees, which can vary depending on the event and its duration. These fees cover access to keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and other conference activities. While the cost of conference fees can vary, it’s important to consider whether the benefits of attending outweigh the financial investment. Not everyone can afford conferences, and that’s understandable, weigh the circumstances of missing the conference with the benefits it provides and learn what you are willing to sacrifice or not sacrifice. Only you know what you need to do for your career.
• Travel Expenses: Depending on the conference’s location, you may need to factor in travel expenses such as airfare, train tickets, or gas for driving. Travel costs can significantly impact your overall budget, especially if the conference is held in a distant city or requires international travel. It’s essential to consider whether the potential networking opportunities and learning experiences justify the financial outlay for travel. Extensive research needs to be done when thinking of travel. Budgeting effectively is the only way you can make the expenses come close to what you need.
• Accommodation: Attending a multi-day conference often requires arranging accommodation, which adds to the overall cost. Hotels, rental properties, or other lodging options near the conference venue may incur additional expenses. Researching and planning ahead is essential to find affordable and convenient accommodation options that fit your budget.
• Additional Expenses: Apart from conference fees, travel, and accommodation, there might be additional costs to consider. These can include meals, transportation to and from the conference venue, parking fees, and any optional activities or networking events associated with the conference. Budgeting for these additional expenses is important to avoid any financial surprises.

2. Time Commitment: Attending conferences often requires taking time off work or personal commitments, impacting your schedule. 

• Time Away from Work: Literary conferences typically span multiple days, from a weekend to a week-long event. Attending these conferences may require taking time off from your regular work schedule, which can impact your workload and productivity. It’s essential to consider the potential consequences of being away from work and whether you can afford to take time off without negatively affecting your professional commitments. Working is how you pay the bills. Can you afford the time off? If not, then maybe a virtual conference is suited better for you. Maybe finding one over the weekend is even better? Make the conference work for you, not you work for the conference. We all have to survive.
• Personal Commitments: Attending a conference can also interfere with personal commitments, such as family responsibilities, social engagements, or other activities you had planned. Assessing the impact that being away for the conference might have on your personal life and relationships is vital. Prioritizing your personal commitments and finding a balance between attending the conference and fulfilling your responsibilities is crucial.
• Travel Time: Depending on the location of the conference, you may need to account for travel time to and from the event. This includes the time spent on the journey and potential delays, layovers, or transportation to the conference venue. It’s important to factor in travel time when considering the time commitment required to attend the conference.
• Opportunity Cost: The time you spend at a conference is time that could have been allocated to other writing-related activities, such as writing, editing, or marketing your work. It’s important to evaluate whether the knowledge and connections gained at the conference outweigh the potential progress you could have made in your writing career during that time.

3. Overwhelming Experience: Large conferences with numerous sessions and events can be overwhelming, making prioritizing and managing your time effectively challenging. 

• Wide Range of Choices: Large conferences often offer a diverse range of sessions, workshops, panels, and events covering various topics related to writing, publishing, and the literary industry. While this can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming to navigate through the multitude of options and choose which sessions to attend. It’s important to plan ahead, review the conference program, and prioritize the sessions that align with your interests, goals, and areas you want to improve upon.
• Time Management: With so many sessions happening simultaneously, managing your time effectively becomes crucial. Creating a schedule or itinerary is essential, identifying the sessions you want to attend and allowing for breaks and networking opportunities. However, it’s also important to remain flexible and open to unexpected opportunities that may arise during the conference.
• FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Large conferences can trigger the fear of missing out on valuable sessions or networking opportunities. Choosing between conflicting sessions or events can be challenging, and you may worry about not making the most of your conference experience. To alleviate this, consider connecting with other attendees to share notes or resources from sessions you could not attend. Additionally, some conferences may provide recordings or handouts for sessions, allowing you to access the content afterward.
• Networking Challenges: In large conferences, the sheer number of attendees can make it harder to establish meaningful connections. Engaging in one-on-one conversations or having quality interactions with industry professionals or fellow writers may be more challenging. However, being proactive, attending smaller networking events, or seeking out specific individuals you want to connect with can help overcome these challenges. If you are someone like me who has social anxiety, this may be a bigger challenge. Make sure you are factoring all this into your decisions as well. Find the conferences you know you can bite off little chunks with and that won’t create a problem with your mental health.
• Information Overload: The abundance of information and insights shared during a large conference can be overwhelming. It’s essential to take notes, ask questions, and absorb information at a pace that works for you. Consider prioritizing key takeaways and actionable items to implement in your writing journey. Remember, it’s not about absorbing everything but focusing on what resonates and can be applied effectively.

Consider these factors when deciding to attend a literary conference. Assess your goals, budget, and availability to make an informed decision that aligns with your writing journey and aspirations.

Here are the links to the conferences I’ll be attending. I strive to strike a balance between virtual and in-person events to optimize my learning while avoiding overwhelming myself. It allows me to manage my time effectively, considering my commitments to a full-time job, author career, and building my author platform. Join me on The Authors Porch as I navigate these enriching experiences and share valuable insights with fellow writers and enthusiasts. Together, let’s embark on a journey of continuous learning and growth in the literary world!

Virtual: The BookFest

Virtual: BookMarCon

In Person: Writers Con

In Person: Literary Lubbock

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