If you’re an author or even an aspiring author, attending a writer’s conference can be a great step in your journey. I attended my first writer’s conference back in 2017. The decision to go seemed somewhat risky since I had not been to Philadelphia before, nor did I know anyone going, but the experience was awesome. If you’ve been considering attending such a conference but were undecided, I'd like to share the following benefits I discovered. The first benefit, and thing I loved most, was the camaraderie I experienced with other writers. Since writing can be a lonely venture, finding others to walk with you is good. Finding others who also love writing is a bonus. It’s easy to get to know others in a conference setting, especially during breaks and meal times. There was one author in particular whom I befriended, and we’re still in touch, at least through social media, to this day.

Another great thing about a writer’s conference is that it’s likely you’ll have the opportunity to pitch your work to agents or editors. I did this, and while I never signed any contracts, I received both encouraging feedback and constructive criticism. It’s harder to hear the latter, but learning how to receive honest feedback is a skill we should develop. That’s another potential benefit of attending a conference: developing that skill. You might be interested to know that while I didn’t sign any contracts, the author I befriended did. She has gone on to write several other books since then, and she’s in her 80s.

The fourth benefit is that attending such an event also confirms your commitment to writing. That’s because being with others who love to write brings your passion to the forefront. You can’t help being excited. I loved every minute of the conference I attended, and, even though I wasn’t an author at the time, it solidified my author dream. A fifth benefit is that conferences will likely have book tables for you to peruse and make purchases from. These may also include CDs, DVDs, or flash drives of the lessons presented at the conference or past conferences. I still have some of the material I purchased in 2017.

Whether you’ve attended a conference before, have contemplated it, or have not thought about it, I trust these five benefits will encourage you to consider attending a conference. Yes, there is a financial investment involved, but many conferences provide scholarships to those with constraints. You may also have the option of registering for one day or a half day if the conference is over a few days. The one I attended did. If you’re not sure where to find conferences, an Internet search is a good place to start. If you’re part of a writer’s group or organization, other members may have ideas for you. There may even be shorter conferences in your area that have a smaller price tag. I went to one of those as well. It was an intimate but fun experience. It’s absolutely worth investigating what’s available because the conferences I attended were highlights in my writing journey and likely will be in yours.