Conference

A conference is to writers what rodeo is to cowboys. It's the place for learning, it's the place for meeting people, it's the time to be stretched in ways you never dreamed.

I attended the Writing for the Soul conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado, earlier this year, and it was fantastic. It's hosted annually by Jerry Jenkins. I enjoyed the mountains in Colorado every day before I stepped into the world-famous Broadmoor Hotel. There were appointments where I could speak to editors about my book, and great workshops for any writing facet I could want (from advanced fiction to how to write for the web).

I spoke with Jerry Jenkins (who's guild, The Christian Writers Guild, hosts the conference) and listened to distinguished professionals give invaluable insight into their success and how to be published.

They held their annual contest, Operation First Novel, where the winner has his/her book published and wins $20,000.

You can go next year!

If you decide to go, know that your wallet will be scalped. The fee to attend the conference (February 19-22, 2009) is $750 and you have to pay for your own lodging. If you stay at the Broadmoor, that is about $150 a night unless you share a room with someone. While speaking about lodging, I saved a lot of money by going to a hotel nearby. Also consider you'll probably have to pay for airplane tickets because Colorado's weather is so unpredictable, and driving in it can be hazardous.

Is it worth it? I payed for my dad to listen to the conference keynotes at the meals, for myself to go the conference, the hotel, the airplane tickets, and I bought all the workshops afterwards. It came up to about $2000. It was worth EVERY SINGLE PENNY!

You'd be surprised how many doors open after attending a conference. The editors realize you're dead serious about yourself when you give so much time and money to attend. My writing has had a much more focused goal since I came home.

"But I'm too young and that sounds scary, and I'll make too many mistakes."

More than half of the 400 people there were people who'd never attended a writer's conference. There are classes just for teens if that's where you're comfortable, but don't be afraid of looking stupid. I've already blazed the trail for you.

Here are the top 4 stupid things I did:

• Being the only person to laugh at a touching movie scene when the director (Dallas Jenkins) was present.


• Handing an empty envelope to an editor when she wanted to see the first few pages of my manuscript.


• Not realizing a tiny slip in the back of my name tag that says I was supposed to sit with a specific group that day.


• When a well established writer asked me what tracks I was going to take during the conference, saying, "Um, I'm going to be pitching a fantasy book for teens." Her response: "Uh...." followed by gentle laughter that said, "good luck!"

I highly recommend this conference! This is the place where you can speak with editors and established writers face-to-face. They expect to hear things like, "I have no idea what I'm doing!"

Take the leap. Let me know if you're interested.

I hope to see you next year!

Jamin