Writing Conferences: Yea or Nay?

Published: Mon, 11/11/24

Updated: Mon, 11/11/24

Dear WriteByNighter,

This week on the blog we have a fun dispatch from our own David Bushman, renowned true crime author and founding editor and publisher at Fayetteville Mafia and Tucker DS Press.

Freshly returned from Killer Nashville 2024 (and by "freshly" I mean in late August, when he first sent me his piece), David offers some valid reasons for attenting writing conferences and -- perhaps more importantly -- valid reasons to question the advice trotted out at the accompanying panel discussions:

"I'm gonna level with you here," David writes. "I don't think I learn a hell of a lot from panels. Maybe because I've been around the block a few times. Or maybe because I can listen to speakers touting podcasts, websites, mailing lists, and giveaways only so many times, especially because I'm not convinced any of those really work.

"Conventional 'wisdom' is a rock star at writing conventions," David continues. "Innovative thinking, not so much."

Up until a decade ago I was an AWP regular. It was exhausting. And expensive. Holy hell, the expense. I used to get $100/day to write blog posts reporting on my experiences, and that was barely enough to cover... well, the books and journals I'd voluntarily buy.

But I also kind of cherish those days. There's something to be said for spending a weekend sequestered from the rest of the world with thousands of other writers for company.

Which is David's takeaway as well: "You can’t put a price tag on what it feels like to spend an entire weekend thinking and talking almost exclusively about writing and sharing that experience with that happy few, that band of brothers (still okay to say brothers?) who have shed blood with you out on the battlefield."

So... writing conferences: Yes or no? Pros and cons? Your favorites and your least favorites? How about the silliest panel discussion you've ever attended? The most useful?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments of David's post, or reply to this email and I'll post your response for you.

What's the Deal with Book Deals?

The vast majority of writers who come to WriteByNight are seeking, as their ultimate goal, a publishing contract. But how many of us will know how to actually interpret and understand the thing once we've landed it?

John Sibley Williams, our staff agent and publishing expert, is here to help walk you through it in his upcoming Zoom seminar, "Books Deals & Publishing Contracts."

In it, John will cover such intricacies as rights and royalties, the cherished advance, termination clauses, and other key details a writer needs to know about -- whether you've got a literary agent or, especially, if you don't.

Saturday, November 23, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern. Be there or be square...ly in the dark when it comes to publishing contracts.

The first 10 writers to reply to this email with the coupon code below will save $10 off the regular price of $109.

Knock $10 off of "Book Deals & Publishing Contracts"

Code: BDPC10

First 10 writers only, so act fast!
Email david@writebynight.net and copy/paste the coupon code above

What Am I Reading? What Am I Writing?

It spilled past Halloween but I finally finished Dracula. I'm glad I read it, but it won't make my "Reread Someday" list. Among its Gothic horror compatriots, that reread list includes Frankenstein, Jekyll & Hyde, and Phantom of the Opera. And probably Dorian Gray. And others I'm forgetting. All the Poe, of course. Charles Brockdon Brown's Edgar Huntly.

Next up: The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, which I've never read. Aaron, my Yak Baby pal, assigned it to me for our 2024 Secret Santa episode of the podcast. Stay tuned.

Aside from that, I've just been doomscrolling. Judging by the emails I've received in the past week, so have many of y'all. While those of you who follow us closely know where I stand, I rarely use this space to air any political laundry. All I'll say is this: We're stuck in a corporatocracy and neither party cares about us.

I'm not writing. But I wish I were! How about you?

Writerly Quote of the Week

"The writer by nature of his profession is a dreamer and a conscious dreamer. How, without love and the intuition that comes from love, can a human being place himself in the situation of another human being? He must imagine, and imagination takes humility, love, and great courage. How can you create a character without love and the struggle that goes with love?"

-- Carson McCullers, "The Flowering Dream," Esquire, 1959

David Duhr
Co-founder, WriteByNight

P.S. If you know someone who might benefit from today's message, please feel free to forward this email along. Go on, help a writer out.

Resources

Free writing consultation

Let's talk about your writerly interests, needs, and goals!

New and improved publication assistance

Find a home for your creative work

New! Writing Workshop

Are you brave enough to get four or more eyes on your writing?

Time Management Questionnaire

Carve out writing time from your busy schedule

235 West End Avenue
6H
New York NY 10023
USA

Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options