If you’ve been wondering whether to attend a writers’ conference, this post is for you! 

I’m new to attending writers’ conferences, and I attended my first conference (The Novel Marketing Conference in Texas- NMC) in January 2024. This conference was primarily designed for those with a book for sale on Amazon or who plan to launch their first book soon. I didn’t fall into either category, so why did I go? I wanted to experience a writers’ conference and escape the harsh Canadian winter. I even convinced my husband to join me for the trip, and we made it a family adventure.  

Being in a room with passionate writers reignited my passion for writing again. This experience was pivotal in helping me realize how much I needed a supportive and creative environment for my writing journey. After the daily sessions, I returned to the hotel room, eager to share everything I’d learned with my husband.

Photo from the 2024 Novel Marketing Conference

Five months later, I attended a completely different writers’ conference—the Write to Publish Conference (WTPC) in Chicago. Unlike the NMC, this conference perfectly aligned with where I am in my writing journey—in the early stages of querying agents, preparing a book proposal, and exploring traditional publishing.  

Photo with Cynthia Ruchti at the Write to Publish Conference

While the NMC focused on marketing strategies for published authors, the WTPC offered a broader spectrum of topics—pitching to agents, understanding publishing trends, growing platforms, leveraging social media for ministry, and much more. Here’s a quick breakdown of the key differences between these two conferences to help you decide which might suit you best.

Novel Marketing Conference	Write To Publish the Conference
You must have a book for sale on Amazon or plan to launch your first book soon.	This conference is more suitable for you if you are just getting started with your book or your proposal. There were workshops tailored towards writing a hook, which is essential for a proposal.
The NMC was more intimate, with about 100 attendees, and it fostered personal connections.	It had a larger audience of about 300 people. Many people were in cliques, requiring confidence to network effectively.
It was cheaper because the conference was for two days. Feeding was covered; however, accommodation was not provided. The early bird ticket cost $399.	Full conference with all meals and housing options (cost around $629). The conference started on a Tuesday and ended on Friday evening. We were also given a free copy of the 2024 Christian Writers Market Guide and a Private concert with Sandra McCracken on the last day of the conference.
This is not a conference to pitch to literary agents, and there were no agents at the conference. This one was geared more towards connecting with other writers and learning how to market your book effectively.	We had two fifteen-minute pitches to any faculty member, including literary agents, editors, and publishing directors. I also had a one-on-one with Becky Robinson, the CEO of Weaving Influence, and she gave me real-life feedback about my website.
We didn’t have the option of choosing which workshops to attend.	There were various workshops to choose from. After that, we broke into two workshop sessions, then had dinner and gathered back in the main hall for a general evening session. Afterward, we went for a social gathering from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
This conference involved more practical, hands-on steps. After the classes, we split into groups to practice what we learned.	The only interactive sessions from the workshops I attended were the question-and-answer sessions.
We had shorter days from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.	The full schedule was from 7:15 am to 10:00 pm.

Photos with my conference friends, Cantice and Felicia, at the Write to Publish Conference

Here Are a few things I did that helped me get the most out of both conferences:

1. Pray, pray, and pray some more: The Bible says the king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. God can help you make strategic connections and direct you to the right people. My first pitch was with a literary agent I admire so much. I had tried to get her attention before pitching to her, but she was busy, and I couldn’t. She randomly walked up to our table at lunch and asked to have lunch with my friends and me. Look at God! I connected with her before I pitched to her later that afternoon, which was a God moment.

2. Network Strategically: Conferences can be overwhelming, but I made a point to connect with as many people as possible. I went to my room, spent and exhausted from networking. I recharged by praying and watching a show and continued again the next day. 

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Shoot Your Shot:  I introduced myself to my first friends at the conference and pitched to six agents beyond the allotted appointments for two agents simply by introducing myself to agents after workshops or during meals.  

The Write to Publish Conference is an excellent choice for exploring traditional publishing. However, if you’ve already written a book and are ready to learn marketing strategies, the Novel Marketing Conference might be the right fit. Both conferences enriched my writing journey, equipping me with knowledge, confidence, and connections. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a newbie like me, writers’ conferences can open doors you never knew existed. So, should you attend one? Absolutely! 

Photo with Barb Roose at the WTP Conference Photo with Jevon Bolden WTP Conference