Writing Conferences
 

     Attending conferences at distant locations can be expensive, but some people find them worth the money for networking, even if the lectures are disappointing. I read about a writer who met an editor from a well-known publishing firm at a conference, and sent that editor her first novel. The editor accepted it, and published the writer's next several books-all without an agent. I'm neither that good at networking nor that lucky.

     I live in the New York City area where many writers' conferences are held, so I've been able to attend a number of them conveniently, without travel costs. I've found lectures at every conference helpful. Sometimes I go to a conference just to hear a single lecture. Occasionally I'll even travel to hear a particular writer speak. I flew many miles to hear Elizabeth George, one

 
 

of my favorite contemporary mystery writers. It was worth every penny. (See www.elizabethgeorgeonline.com, to learn more about Elizabeth George and her books.)

     In the fall of 2008, Dave and I attended the Tony Hillerman Conference on Mystery Writing in Albuquerque. We found it very useful and most interesting. The speakers-mystery writers, editors, agents-were all terrific. (See http://wordharvest.com) Dave is studying Creative Nonfiction, and doesn't read mysteries (except mine), but every writer should study suspense, and a mystery writers' conference can be a good place to start.

     But a conference can feature losers as speakers or consultants. Some speakers don't bother to prepare. Prior to one conference I attended, each attendee was asked to send in several pages of a current work for evaluation by an agent. The agent-let's call him Dick Slick-hadn't read my submission: didn't know it was a mystery, talked about being sick of "beautiful" girl novels. (There was no description of my heroine in the pages he received.) In short, the fellow was lazy as well as arrogant and rude. You'd think he'd have been ashamed to take money from the conference sponsors, but he showed no signs of guilt. I'd never heard of Dick before the conference, and I've never heard of him since. (I've also never attended another conference run by that organization.) I'd advise anyone considering attending an expensive conference, especially with travel involved, to check with people who've been at conferences sponsored by the same group. And I'd urge all groups to ask for comments and criticisms from attendees, as the Hillerman Conference does.

     Some of the colleges that offer limited residence MFA Programs permit attendance at a residency by people not enrolled for credit. Among those that do so are Spalding, headquartered in Louisville, KY, and offering residences both in Louisville and in other locations, such as London and Buenos Aires. A residence in London and Bath is where Dave and I first learned about Spalding, and where we decided to apply to become students.