Attending a writers’ conference can require a significant amount of time, energy, and money (although scholarships are often available). How do you make the most of this investment to help propel your writing career?
Conference attendance rarely results in immediate literary success. Ouch. The expectation that you will find the agent or land a book deal or job offer at the conference is most likely a fantasy. And we fiction writers know about fantasy, right?
Dreams and fantasies can definitely become real, but they rarely do in the social media-fueled immediacy one might hope for. It’s smart to remember success will take time and commitment. You are BUILDING your writing community at a writer’s conference. Relationships are critical to a career and take time and attention. Patience and persistence are required to make the most of conference attendance, just like every other part of the writer’s journey.
The types of relationships you will create include those with agents, publishers, beta readers, sources for writing assignments, critique group members, graphic designers, readers, and most importantly, other writers. I eventually found all of those through the Colorado Gold Conferences I’ve attended. Be in it for the long haul and it will be awesome.
INVESTMENT: CHOOSE CAREFULLY
- Select the right conference (national/international/regional/local) based on your needs and goals. Research conferences on websites like this one from Poets & Writers.
- Size matters: If you’re uncomfortable with large crowds, the Colorado Gold Conference sponsored by RMFW and the Pikes Peak Writers Conference are both great general, mid-sized conferences in Colorado for fiction writers of all levels and genres, with attendance in the 300-350 range. The Lighthouse Writers Lit Fest in Denver is much larger (1400), while the Wyoming Writers conference is smaller (100-150). In the mystery writer’s world of which I’m a member, Bouchercon is massive (1700) and ThrillerFest in NYC averages around 1000. Smaller-to-midsized mystery conferences include Malice Domestic (Maryland, 400-600), Midwest Mystery Conference (Chicago, 200), and Left Coast Crime (different location each year, 350). Check out conferences geared to your genre(s) or ones that are broadly focused, like RMFW’s Colorado Gold conference.
- Research local retreats and mini-conferences such as RMFW’s annual writers’ retreat. Attending a local retreat can be a good way to break into conferencing, because they are smaller and more intimate, offering a mix of a few workshops plus “alone” time for you to spend writing.
- Get feedback about conferences from those who have attended in the past.
- Consider cost: Various registration rates are usually available (full conference rate, single day rate, rates for special events and workshops, etc.). Some or all meals are often included, but you’ll probably have to pay for lodging, transportation, and miscellaneous costs like drinks or books you find at the conference bookstore. What’s your budget? Don’t forget: scholarships are often available, like the ones RMFW offers!
- If possible, stay at the hotel that is hosting the conference. Secure your reservation early because the hotel can run out of the conference-priced discount rooms. Being onsite is critical for full involvement—there are often evening events you won’t want to miss, or early-morning yoga classes, and let’s not forget the conversations that happen spontaneously every evening at the hotel bar (and no, you don’t have to drink alcohol to participate!). Also, it’s sometimes nice to arrive the evening before the conference kicks off to relax and get oriented.
- How often should you attend conferences? Once is rarely enough. Think about a long-term strategy regarding conference attendance.
Nowhere else but at a conference will you encounter such an amazing array of accessible experts on relevant topics that will allow you to LEARN and develop aspects of your craft—and all in a weekend!
- Set goals: Make the most of the conference by determining what you’d like to accomplish (which may change as the event progresses): pitch my book, meet agents, meet a developmental editor, learn about websites, meet others who write in my sub-genre, understand the current state of the industry, etc.
- Feedback opportunities: Take advantage of skill development opportunities by entering a conference contest such as the Colorado Gold Rush Literary Awards with a critique or submit an entry to a conference anthology if possible. You’ll learn a lot.
- Research: speakers, panels, special workshops, and vendors of writerly services.
- Schedule: Have your schedule planned out and written down early on. (Or see if there’s a schedule app for the conference, then download it and highlight the presentations you want to attend.) Expect changes as unexpected opportunities arise.
- Bring an open mind: Be open to feedback on your work and to learning about aspects of publishing you might not have considered. Even the old pros come away with new gems. This is not a static business!
- Ask questions: Participate in discussions and ask others about their books, their opinions, or their experiences. Everyone is on their own writing journey, and we all have stories to share!
- Manage expectations: Focus on learning and connecting. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t sign an agent, but let yourself be encouraged and supported by everyone you meet and everything you learn. You’re making progress towards your goals!
- Note-taking gear: Remember to bring something to take notes with, such as a paper notebook, pens, or a laptop/tablet. And look on the conference app for handouts, because speakers often make their handouts available on the app.
“But I’m an introvert,” she whined. Okay, so who isn’t? (70% of fiction writers lean towards being introverted.) We’ll be miserable together reaching out to each other until it’s not miserable anymore. It might even be reasonably fun. Yes, it will happen. There’s no online substitute for face-to-face time. Never forget this: the PEOPLE you meet can make your career!
- Be ready to meet & greet: You thought it was just about your strong manuscript? Think again. Take a deep breath, approach, introduce yourself, and exchange conversation and business cards with other writers—they are your future peers and support group. This is challenging, even terrifying for many, but it must be done. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. This is a tough business and you must be equally tough to succeed.
- Prepare conversation starters: Have questions ready for networking, such as "What do you write?" "What are you working on?" or "What was your favorite session so far?” or “How was the rubber chicken?" It’s much easier than crafting the opening line of that novel!
- Volunteer at the conference, particularly if you don’t know anyone and are seeking for people to hang out with. Half the attendees at a conference are looking for “buddies.” Contact organizers to volunteer for tasks like registration or session timekeeping to interact with people naturally.
- Craft your short-and-sweet pitch and be able to share it with anyone anytime, not just at an agent meeting. Your pitch should roll off your tongue as easily as your email address and phone number. Seriously.
- Identify opportunities and attend events where you can network, including dinners, book signings, open mic, happy hour, game night.
- Engage with vendors—they know a lot. You can learn about many of the tools and services you may want to use during conversations with service providers at the conferences. They also have great swag.
- Random networking, or the chance encounter. It rarely happens on Zoom. You know how you can hit it off with someone you just met? Maybe they’re wearing an outfit you compliment, or reading a book you love, or just accidentally making eye contact with you in the elevator, and suddenly you’re in a conversation discovering how much you have in common. I’ve made dear friends this way! This sort of thing happens all the time at conferences, and once you make those connections, the possibilities are endless
- Purposeful networking: You can score face time with agents, editors, vendors, or other authors by attending their workshops, signing up for pitch sessions, and sitting with them at the dinner table.
- Successful authors propel their careers through networking. I can’t say this enough.
- Many agents won’t even acknowledge your query unless it’s tied to an event they attended. They see conference attendance as a sign of commitment to your career.
- Gain insights into the industry: Another reason to attend a writing conference is to get a sense of the current pulse of the industry. What are the main trends in publishing right now? What are authors struggling with? What’s getting rejected and what’s getting accepted? Always keep one foot securely in the business.
Having a plan before you arrive can help reduce your anxiety or concerns!
- Attend the Orientation: Attend the ORIENTATION to the conference, especially if there’s an orientation for first-time attendees of that confere
nce. At the Colorado Gold Conference, RMFW VP Kevin Wolf hosts the orientation for new conference attendees every year. He and his helpers are lovely people. Shown in this photo from a past RMFW Colorado Gold Conference Orientation session are Puja Guha (first-timer), Shannon Baker (author pro), Kevin Wolf (author pro, RMFW VP and ORIENTATION LEADER), Sue Hinkin (author pro, former contest co-chair), and Mindy McIntyre (former contest co-chair). - Social media:
- Prep your website: Before you leave home, consider having your website looking good. People may look you up during and after the event. A website is part of being a professional in this business even if you haven’t published yet. You can spend thousands or do it for free with software like WIX or GoDaddy. All authors are expected to do much or most of their own marketing, so embrace the process.
- Where is Waldo? Let your friends and followers know you’ll be at the conference.
- Post photos on your site during and/or after the conference, and use the conference’s hashtags to make sure you connect with other conference goers.
- Business cards: While not mandatory, they can be helpful when meeting other authors, editors, or agents, and they can help you look professional.
- Take care of yourself and pace yourself! Conferences are exhausting.
- Clothing: Have fun with style if you wish or not, but be yourself and be comfortable in what you wear. Be sure to layer clothing--hotel conference rooms are often cold…or hot. Most conferences are ultra-casual but some have a black- tie dinner for award night.
- Comfortable Shoes: You will be doing a lot of walking.
- Snacks: Gum, mints and high-energy snacks help during long days. The hotel gift shop may have these staples, or bring what you crave from home.
- Portable charger: Ensure your devices don't die.
- Hydrate: Drink water, avoid Red Bull.
- Don’t burn out: If you feel yourself wearing thin, skip a workshop and take a nap in your hotel room to recharge. Do what you need to do to keep up your energy and good attitude. Some conferences offer a public “quiet room” where attendees can escape for a peaceful break.
- Do NOT bring your whole manuscript. If someone requests it, they’ll expect you to email it to them after the conference. Agents don’t want to carry home suitcases full of paper.
- Pitching: Only pitch agents during scheduled, official pitch session unless they invite you to do otherwise (have your pitch ready). Agents and editors need break time, too. Several have recently told me a pet peeve is being pitched in the bathroom.
- Do not be a "know-it-all." Approach every session with a teachable spirit, even if you are an experienced writer.
- Do not be overly critical. Everyone is working hard to make the conference valuable for all. It’s a thankless, tiring, volunteer job! Help out if you can.
- Limit your phone time. DO NOT sit around scrolling through your phone. Be present, in the moment at the conference.
- Send out thank you emails/notes to folks you were able to meet such as agents, panelists, vendors, other authors, conference organizers etc.
- Send out queries or manuscripts as requested ASAP. (Make sure during the initial pitch that you share whether the project is completed or in progress.)
- Review your goals: After a few days or a week when you have some energy back and a bit of distance/perspective, review your goals and determine which were met and what are your major takeaways.
- Post about the experience on social media. Share what you’ve learned with others.
- Be thankful for the opportunity to attend a writer’s conference! If you have the resources, think about contributing to the scholarship fund so others can attend.
If you’re interested in attending the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold conference, October 1 – 4, 2026, here’s the link for more information and to register:
https://www.rmfw.org/conference_homepage.php. Regular registration rates are good through August 12. After that, they go up a little bit, so register now!
See you there!
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Voted Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Writer of the Year, Sue Hinkin writes the award-winning Vega & Middleton thrillers, featuring Los Angeles TV news investigative team of journalist Bea Jackson and photographer Lucy Vega. BestThrillers.com recognized the duo as Top 10 Female Detectives 2023. Hinkin hosts the podcast The Femme Detectives & the Authors Who Create Them for Authors on the Air Global Radio Network. Learn more on her website www.suehinkin.com.