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~

I’m too tired to blog about the conference. If you have any specific questions, leave them in the comments and I’ll respond in another blog post. As I stated earlier, I’m a terrible reporter. I just don’t feel like typing up all of the wonderful details about the conference since I’m too tired and lazy right now and I’ve got to finish reading books that I agreed to review for blog tours, plus, I have some proposals that I need to polish and submit as a result of the meetings I had with editors and agents at the conference. As I’ve said on this blog before, if you want to get commercially published within the Christian market then ACFW is the place to be! All those industry professionals and writers under one roof! I had an awesome time and it was great networking, socializing and worshipping with other writers! I had a great time! Here’s some pics that other conferees took! I had my camera with me but failed to take any pictures. When I go to these events, I rarely take photos. I’m so busy having fun that I never take the time to take pics!
Me with local ACFW member Terri Haynes! Her entry was a finalist in the Genesis Contest!
Me with author Julie Lessman – the author of hot, spicy Christian romance. Her books are fantastic! I’ve reviewed her Daughters of Boston Series on this blog!
Me socializing with someone named Kathy. I met her at author Michelle Sutton’s chocolate party. If memory serves me correctly, she told me about her experiences self-publishing her book.
Me talking to author Gail Sattler. Her recent release, The Narrow Path, sounds quite interesting since the heroine is new-order Mennonite and the hero is old-order Mennonite. When I find the time, I’ll probably read her book.

Me, with a goofy, cheesy smile! I think I was winding down at this point, about ready to head back to my room to go to bed! I’d had my fill of chocolate by this time!

Me, sitting next to a woman named Cassandra at the awards banquet. I had NO IDEA this picture was being taken!

~Cecelia Dowdy~