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For Authors: November 13, 2013 Issue [#5986]

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For Authors


 This week: Why a Writing Conference?
  Edited by: Vivian Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

         Every year I attend at least two writing conferences, often more. At least one of those conferences is an online conference, a FREE online conference. In today's world, no one has an excuse for not attending a writing conference. However, many people do not realize the benefits of participating in a conference
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Letter from the editor

Why a Writing Conference?


         Writing conferences or book festivals with conference components offer opportunities for writers of all levels of ability and experience. However, not all writers understand how to make the most of a conference, how to receive the most benefit.

         Let’s examine some benefits of attending a writing conference, and, yes, I include myself because I’m a writer. We learn. No matter how much we know, how long we’ve written, how many books we have published, we can and should continue learning and improving our writing abilities. Sessions and workshops at conferences and some book festivals give us the opportunity to hone our skills, to learn, to improve.

         We are professionals, if we take our writing seriously, and we should act as if we are. Teachers, doctors, nurses, business people attend professional conventions and workshops to stay abreast of new techniques and technology in their fields. As writers, we should do the same as other professionals.

         At many conferences, such as OWFI (Oklahoma Writers' Federation, Inc.) conference, we rub elbows with New York City agents and editors. In fact at OWFI, authors can make appointments to pitch their books to agents and editors from some of the major agencies and houses. Often small publishers are invited to take pitches from authors, too.

         We network with other writers at conferences, discovering that others not only do what we do (write), but they also understand the struggles and the rewards. We meet and connect with everything from writers who are newbies to bestselling authors. At conferences, I met J.A. Jance, Debbie McComber, Steve Berry, Steven James, the late Tony Hillerman, Dave Lieber, Jordan Dane, Merline Lovelace, Tess Gerritson (creator of Rizoli & Isles), and Margret Daley, just to name a few. Not only do those famous authors meet attendees, they visit and share with us.

         Another way to benefit from a conference is to participate by volunteering. For example, shepherds at the OWFI conference get to interact with special speakers one on one. Imagine picking up someone like J.A. Jance at the airport, having lunch with her, knowing that her attention is yours for those times. Ohhh ...

         Also anyone working the registration or information desk meets everyone. Volunteering allows attendees to become part of the inner circle. Volunteers help keep online conferences working, too. The Muse Online Writer's Conference (October 20-26, 2014) is one conference that is free and offers much a physical conference does, and volunteers are always needed.

         Conferences offer even more than discussed here. Some have writing competitions (such as OWFI). Some offer an opportunity for editors to read the first few pages of a manuscript.

         To learn more about any conference or book festival that has workshops or sessions, search the internet. Find websites and read. Oklahoma Writers’ Federation‘s website is http://owfi.org, for example. The Muse Online Writer's Conference site is http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/.

         Personally, as I stated earlier, I participate in two or more conferences a year, and I learn something new at each as well as meet the most amazing people.


Editor's Picks

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Ask & Answer

Words from Our Readers


         Last time the topic was writing poetry. Apparently many people benefited from the poetry lesson.

JeremyBuxton Author IconMail Icon
This article has actually taught me more than the two whole years of English Literature I endured at 15 years old.

          I'm glad I helped. This article was taken from lesson plans I used when teaching high school English.

dwarf2012
Thank you for highlighting poetry. I never tried poetry until I joined this site and took two classes on poetry. I also have entered contests and received helpful reviews on how to improve. Your newsletter will help me think of ways to express my thoughts in poems.

         Poetry is my therapy and has been since I was in the third grade. Trying something new can result in new interests.

Solivagus Author IconMail Icon
What a wonderful collection of tools and resources! I hope this inspires one person to take a chance on writing poetry. What seems to be an expression lacking structure is actually a gymnasium of form and meaning to play safely therein.

You're great!

         Thank you.

troy ulysses davis Author IconMail Icon
Very informative. It was thrilling to receive a summary of poetry devices that can be used to enhance our writing. Just last night I was thinking my bag of tricks is running low or at least in need of an upgrade. How rewarding. Thanks a million.

         I'm glad you can use them.

brom21 Author IconMail Icon
Right now in my poetry class for college we just took a poetry concepts quiz (which got an A to my surprise) which underlines your poetic vocabulary terms and even more. How long did it take you to succinctly incorporate all of them into your craft? Your poems were stellar.

{indent]Thank you. I've been writing poetry since I was in third grade (a long, long, long, long time). I had excellent teachers all through school, who taught writing skills. I've read and written and tried new concepts all these years, but I've always been rather poetic.

kdugan
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your work.


Thank you for joining me again and for all the comments. I hope you do again in four weeks.
I'm still waiting for suggestions for topics. What do you want me to cover?


I love black cats, so ledger created me a sig with one

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