How many writers’ conferences have I attended?
Twenty-three!! But, I’m not sure if that’s the correct number – it’s just an estimate, but it should be pretty close to that figure!!

How many conferences have you attended? Can you leave a ballpark figure in the comments?

Yesterday’s Writers’ Rest blog post brought this question to mind. Here’s a list of conferences that I’ve attended – this list may not be complete because it’s based upon my memory over the last fifteen years. (I started writing back in 1994):

Florida Romance Writers Conference (a chapter of RWA) – This was my very first writers’ conference. I attended back in 1996. I recall that everybody was warm and friendly and there were some male romance models there on motorcycles.

RWA National Conference (Romance Writers of America) – I attended this one eight times. (1996-2002, 2009) This was the only conference I attended for several years. If you’re trying to break into the genre of romance fiction, then this conference is for you! You’ll find a plethora of editors and agents seeking authors. I stopped attending this conference because the Christian fiction professionals had stopped attending RWA conferences once ACFW was formed. I did look at the lineup for this year’s RWA conference, and a couple of Christian fiction publishers and agents are there. However, if Christian fiction is your focus, then you should attend ACFW (keep reading for more information about ACFW).

Washington Romance Writers Annual Retreat (a chapter of Romance Writers of America) – I attended this one at least five times, give or take? WRW is my local chapter, plus, I served on the board for this organization for a few years. I volunteered for the retreat by soliciting to publishers and authors for donations for the goody bags for this event. This conference USED to be held at historic Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia at the now-extinct, historic, Hilltop House Hotel. I loved this event because the scenery was so pretty and the casual, laid-back atmosphere was very nice! Also, I sold my SECOND BOOK as a result of meeting a Harlequin editor at this retreat. I know the location for this event has changed in recent years.

Midatlantic Christian Writers Conference – I attended this one twice, it doesn’t exist anymore. I really enjoyed it the first year because Jerry Jenkins was there and he was the keynote speaker! I even have a personally signed copy of his novel, The Mark. The second year that I attended, I didn’t enjoy it as much. Can’t recall why? I didn’t attend the third year and after the third year the organizer stopped doing this conference.

New Jersey Romance Writers Conference (a chapter of RWA) – I attended this one three times. It’s a great conference because, from what I can recall, since the location is near New York, they get a lot of editors and agents attending. It’s the next best thing to attending RWA’s National Conference.

Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference – I attended this one only once. I enjoyed the ACFW Conference more than this one because my focus is ONLY Christian fiction at the moment. This conference has a plethora of other types of things like self-publishing, magazines, devotionals, etc. It was a hodge-podge of things to choose from, and, while it was nice, I felt I got more for my money from ACFW. But, since this conference is local to me, I attended for the one year.

ACFW Conference – I attended this one three times. If you’re currently trying to get your Christian novel commercially published, then you should attend this conference. From what I’ve seen, this is where you will find the largest gathering of CHRISTIAN FICTION editors and agents. It was a great experience and I wish that I could attend this year, but, right now, I just can’t justify the cost! I’ll probably attend next year, though!

So, how many conferences have you attended? Can you leave a ballpark figure in the comments?

~Cecelia Dowdy~