The Truth About Writing Conferences:

What They Are and Are They Worth Your Time?

The first time I walked into a writing conference, I felt like I was infiltrating a secret society - I won’t lie… my anxiety was super high, and my imposter syndrome was even higher. When I say I didn’t feel like I ‘belonged’, rest assured that is an understatement. Everyone seemed to know each other, most of them were speaking in an industry shorthand I didn’t seem to understand, and everyone seemed so confident. I clutched my program like a lifeline and wondered if I'd made a terrible mistake.

That was at my first Romantic Novelists Association (RNA) conference, and it turned out to be one of the most important and transformational experiences of my writing journey to date.

I had no idea what to expect - and if you are new to this world, I assume you are feeling the same.

What is a Writing Conference?

First of all, don’t confuse a writing conference with a literary festival. Most literary festivals are geared toward readers and fans, with author talks and interviews front and center. Writing conferences are focused more on the author experience.

Writing conferences aren't just weekend workshops or networking events – they're intensive immersions into the writing world. They typically combine:

• Craft workshops and masterclasses

• Industry panels with agents and publishers

• Networking opportunities with fellow authors

• One-on-one pitch sessions

• Social events and informal conversations

But here's what they don't tell you in the marketing materials: conferences are as much about community and confidence-building as they are about learning craft.

My RNA Conference Experience

The RNA conference was my very first, and it taught me something invaluable that no craft book could: how to talk to industry professionals without dissolving into a puddle of anxiety.

Before the event, the thought of approaching an agent or publisher felt impossibly intimidating. In my career, I have interviewed celebrities, a-listers, and even political royalty, and not once was I as nervous as I was the day I faced the ‘gatekeepers of my dreams’. These people quite literally held my future in their hands.

But conferences humanise the industry. You very quickly realise that agents are just people who love books, and they are just as excited to meet potential new ‘superstars’. It turns out, publishers are just REALLY keen readers who want to find great stories and the editors taking to the stage to give keynote speeches are just as nervous as the authors sat next to them.

Conferences are a humbling place. Most of our careers, we will sit behind laptop screens wondering if we will ever be good enough - in those rooms, publishers and agents watch authors walking around knowing that one of us could be the ‘next big thing.’

But writinhg conferences aren’t all about the ‘job’. For me, the RNA conference helped me find my tribe – writers who understood the challenges of being a newbie author, writers who celebrated the ups and downs of the journey with me, and relationships that will last forever, built in the shaky and somewhat nervous surroundings of our first conference walls.

Are Conferences Worth the Money?

Let's be honest about the costs. Between registration fees, travel, accommodation, and meals, conferences represent a huge financial commitment. For many writers, this investment needs to pay off in tangible ways.

Here's the truth: conferences rarely lead to immediate book deals or agent representation. But they offer something more valuable – perspective, community, and industry knowledge that can shape your entire writing career.

You can buy all the writing reference books you like, but not one single book will explain to you how it feels to be pitching your book to a table full of publishing professionals. That is experience no book or podcast will teach you.

Let’s Break This Down…

What Conferences Do Well

Networking Opportunities

• Meet fellow writers at your level and beyond

• Connect with industry professionals in an informal setting

Industry Insights

• The chance to learn about current market trends directly from publishers

• Get insider knowledge about submission processes

Craft Development & Confidence Building

• Targeted workshops with professionals

• Practice pitching your work in supportive environments

Inspiration and Motivation

• Surround yourself with people who understand your dreams

• Gain fresh perspectives on your work and leave feeling energised

Conference Red Flags

Just like any other industry, not every writing conference is created equal. Some will promise transformative experiences and industry connections, then leave you feeling disappointed and out of pocket. So how do you separate the valuable conferences from the overhyped disappointments?

The gold standard for conference selection is always personal recommendations. Word of mouth from writers you trust carries more weight than any marketing brochure. When a fellow writer raves about a conference experience, that's your green light.

But if you're venturing into uncharted territory, here are the red flags that should make you pause before hitting that registration button:

Unrealistic Promises

• Conferences that guarantee agent representation or book deals

• Events that oversell their industry connections

Poor Organisation

• Last-minute schedule changes without communication

• Unclear information about what's included in registration

Inappropriate Pitch Practices

• Steer clear of conferences that allow ambush pitching during meals or social events - it’s a huge turn-off for publishers and you want to make the best first impression

Making the Most of Your Conference Experience

Before You Go:

• Research the agents and publishers attending

• Prepare a strong pitch (but don't obsess over it)

• Plan which sessions align with your current writing goals

During the Conference:

• Writers tend to be solitary creatures, but try to attend as many social events as you can – this is where real connections happen and your tribe will become your lifeline in tough times

• Be brave - ask questions during panels! This is your chance to get all your questions answered

• Take notes, but don't spend the entire time writing (many conferences will allow recording devices, or record the sessions themselves for later viewing - but be sure to ask in advance!)

After the Conference:

• Follow up with new connections within a week - don’t leave it too long to cultivate those relationships

The Bottom Line

Writing conferences aren't magic bullets for publishing success, but they can be transformative experiences that reshape how you see yourself as a writer.

The question shouldn’t be whether conferences are worth the money, but whether this conference will help you reach your goals and boost your confidence. Trust me when I say, in this industry, that is almost priceless.

That first RNA conference was worth every penny of anxiety and investment. It taught me that I belonged, gave me tools to navigate the industry, and connected me with a community that continues to support my journey.

A Personal Note About Upcoming Events

I'm excited to be appearing at the Romance Writing Festival in Bournemouth this October as part of the "Sadness and Joy" panel, where we'll discuss emotional fiction. Events like these remind me why I fell in love with conferences in the first place - the opportunity to dive deep into craft discussions with people who truly understand the power of storytelling.

If you’re interested in attending, take a look at the site here: The Romance Writing Festival.

Other writing festivals I highly recommend include the London Festival of Writing (with Jericho Writers), the RNA Annual Conference.

Have you attended writing conferences? What was your experience like? I'd love to hear about your conference adventures – both the triumphs and the challenges.