Are conferences worth the money & time?

Sandra Parshall

A popular mystery writer once said that her agent told her she could either be a “conference slut” or she could pick one or two conferences to attend each year and spend the rest of her time at home, writing. She chose the second course, and it certainly hasn’t hurt her career.

I remember her words when I see a newly published writer struggling to attend as many conferences as possible and still get the next book written.

As I wrote last week, mystery conferences are fun, and they give us a chance to see friends and take a break from the isolation of writing. But the number being offered is staggering. Some are strictly for fans, with published authors trying to be entertaining enough in their panel performances to send the audience first to the book room, then to the signing line. Others are aimed at aspiring writers who want to learn from published writers – and again, the authors participate in the hope of selling some books and making themselves better known.

In virtually every case, writers have to pay their own way. A lot of mystery writers out there, especially first-time authors, are spending their entire advances and much more on travel and conference fees. It seems to make sense – after all, if you don’t get a rave review in the New York Times and your publisher won’t buy big splashy ads for your book, you have to get the word out somehow, don’t you?

But does it benefit the average writer’s career if she turns up at half a dozen or more conferences every year? Will she sell many books at those conferences, or will she always sit at her signing table, twirling a seldom-used pen and watching the bestselling author across the room autograph tall stacks of books? I don’t know the answers, not even for myself, since Malice Domestic and Bouchercon are pretty much it for me.

I’d like to hear from other writers – and fans – about this.

If you’re a writer, how have you chosen the conferences you attend? Do you think those appearances have given your career a boost? Do conferences take you away from your writing?

If you’re a fan, do you feel as if you see too many of the same writers year after year, or do you look forward to seeing familiar faces? Have you discovered any new-to-you writers at these events?

For both writers and fans: Which conferences are on your must-go lists, and why?

Killer Nashville '07

This picture was taken at Barnes and Noble in Franklin, TN. From left to right, Beth Terrel-Hicks, Honora Finklestein (seated) me in the back, Maggie Tousaint, and Susan Smiley (seated.)

I spent last weekend in Franklin, TN at the Killer Nashville conference. I had a great time, put faces to names of people I'd emailed back and forth with, and learned a lot. I also got some volunteers who agreed to be interviewed for my posts on Poe's Deadly Daughters. I'll surprise you with those at future dates.

One of the most fun things was seeing my books in the Barnes and Noble window. I've done signings at their stores in various cities but never had a book in the window. So of course I jumped in the air and made the CRM, Robbie Bryan laugh. Then I took a picture. Okay, so I'm easily entertained.

I sold several books, got some promo ideas from other authors, and bought a few books as well. I appeared on a panel about stand-alones vs series, moderated by Daniel Hale, and attended workshops given by Chris Roerden and Hallie Ephron. I already owned Chris's book on writing, and I bought Hallie's.

The picture on the right is me signing a book for my friend, Michael. Not my time to sign? NOooo problem!

Conferences always pump me up and make me want to get busy on my writing or editing. I've been struggling with both of my WIP's, knowing they need to be "beefed up" here and there. Now I'm ready to get back to work.

Well, as soon as I post this.

If you are a newbie writer, (or an oldbie) I suggest you attend any conference you can within your budget and driving distance, meet other authors, and do some networking. It's fun, you learn a lot, and you might even find your books in a bookstore window.