Writing Cons

[the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh]

Yeah, I'm not looking to do that.  I just want to go and get involved, be part of the world I claim to be a part of.  The first few I attend won't even be about business.  Those will be just pure nerd fun, and about meeting people. 
I think it would be awesome to be at a huge gathering with like-minded people.

It is.  Though I'd recommend one towards the smaller end of the scale for a first experience... or indeed in general, come to think of it, I've been to two Worldcons, which are at the 5,000-person scale, and they're not IMO near so much fun as various convention-type things I've been to at around the 1000-person scale - basically because it takes so much extra effort to organise everything, and if you don't you miss people rather than just sitting somewhere central and relying on them walking by.

[Tasmin21]

Hmmm, I don't remember any long females.

 

And on topic, I too have been pondering this "con" concept, but sadly with my work schedule/motherhood/funds I can't just pick up and go to things like that if they're not close.  I hope it's not a requirement to be in the club.

[Cathy Clamp]

No, it's not a requirement, but it sure is helpful to get to meet others who write. Internet forums are awesome, but there's nothing quite like meeting people in person to get a sense of the similarities between other writers. 

What genre do you write, bigarver?  There are a bunch of genre-specific conferences to plan for that would probably serve you better than just random ones that happen to be close to you. Plus, not everything has to be a writer's conference. Editors and agents also attend conventions (fan-based events) because writers hang out where their readers are, and editors/agents hang out where their writers are. It's a big happy family at conventions! 

[pathele]

Do bear in mind that editors are people too, and conventions are at least as much about having fun to them as about doing business; if you hard-sell yourself at a stranger, it's very easy to turn them right off and earn a name as a pushy jerk.

good call, neurovore.  I was thinking of conferences where they have sessions with editors and agents. I was in no way advocating anyone trying the hard-sell on an editor/agent.

-paul

[DRD2001]

When looking for a con, you have to consider what genre you'll be writing or wish to write. If it's fantasy/sci-fi then I'd use this website.

http://www.scificonventions.com/html/findevent.php

Smaller cons can be good because it does give an opportunity for more one on one contact. But larger cons may cater to more writers or have more discussion panels for new writers. Aside from meeting publishers, cons may also give you the opportunity to network with other writers.

A friend of mine who is working on her own comic book often gives out a printed sample issue to various publishers and people in related fields. It's really helped her open doors because it showcases all her talents. But it is a financial investment. And only now is it starting to pay off.

Each year, I go to Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA. Huge con. Tons of writers. Right now, there are 41 on the guest list. By September, it will rise to about 400 (media, music, writers, artists etc...). But it can be an expensive convention to attend.

[blgarver]

And on topic, I too have been pondering this "con" concept, but sadly with my work schedule/motherhood/funds I can't just pick up and go to things like that if they're not close.  I hope it's not a requirement to be in the club.

If you're in the KC area, I found a con that's happening in May, I think, in KCMO.  I don't have the info in front of me right now, but I'll round it up and confirm.

[Tasmin21]

Oh excellent!  Let me know what you find out!

[blgarver]

Oh excellent!  Let me know what you find out!

Yep.  There are actually several coming up this summer.  The one in May I was thinking of is called ConQuest.  Here's a link of the KC area nerdfests for this summer.

http://www.sff.net/people/sfreader/sflinks.htm

Enjoy!

[Dom]

Slightly off topic...whenever I see this topic title, I think of either "Writers in Prison" or "The cons of writing" (as in, pros and cons). 

[blgarver]

Slightly off topic...whenever I see this topic title, I think of either "Writers in Prison" or "The cons of writing" (as in, pros and cons). 

Lol.  That had actually crossed my mind also.