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Writers' Resources - Part I
A convention is more likely to be aimed at readers and fans of the genre. Writers and experts in various fields will appear on the panels and workshops, but the emphasis will be on the genre itself rather than on teaching anyone how to write for it. Some panels--forensics, weapons, a day in the life of a cowboy, will often be offered that will be of interest to writers.
Published authors will usually have an opportunity to promote and sign their books at both conferences and conventions.
If you already know which genre you want to write in--mystery, romance, science fiction and so on--then you'll want to look for a writers conference that will specialize in that genre. Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, Science Fiction Writers of America all run writers conferences from time to time. Check out their web sites for more information. Most states will also feature at least one general writers conference, sometimes more, and these can also be most helpful, especially if you aren't yet sure which genre you want to write for.
I'll note here that most of what I write in these pages is meant for the person who is writing popular fiction. Literary writers are a rare breed and usually prefer to operate independently.
The rest of us want to know how to get an agent, how to plot, how to develop characters, how to write dialogue, how to know which viewpoint to use, which publishing houses publish what--and so on, all of which subjects are dealt with at writers conferences. You can probably find out what writers conferences there are in your state from your local library or bookstore people, or the local newspaper.
Conventions can also be helpful however. You'll find established authors on panels talking about how they do what they do. You'll have the chance to meet them and talk to them. You'll hear readers and other afficionados discussing the genre and its traditions, and you'll have a chance to talk to booksellers in the dealers room and find out what's happening in today's writing market. The Pacific Northwest Writers Conference features an ask-a-pro room, where authors like me sit around and you can come ask questions and generally chat about your concerns that deal with writing or selling your novel or non-fiction book or whatever.
Other benefits to new writers? Many writers conferences invite agents and editors to speak. The new writer can not only learn a lot from these speakers, they can often make a fifteen minute appointment to talk to the agent or editor. This is a golden opportunity to pitch the novel that is so dear to your heart. Do not, however, take along a completed manuscript and expect an agent or editor to take it back to wherever they came from and read it. Pitch your idea in as pithy a way as possible. Give the agent or editor your business card. Ask if you can send a synopsis and sample chapter to the agent or editor's office. Then send it with an accompanying letter reminding the agent or editor of where you met and that he or she invited you to send the manuscript.
Usually, you can't attend all of the panels or workshops featured, but many conferences tape the panels or workshops and you can purchase these to take home.
Here's a site that lists just about every writers conference there is--though my local Pacific Northwest Writers Conference is missing so others may be. But there are a lot here.