PNWA Conference

Making the leap, I’ll be attending my first writers’ conference. The Pacific Northwest Writer’s Association holds its annual convention in Seattle. While under ordinary circumstances I would wait for the Willamette Writer’s Conference in August, the PNWA features an appearance by my writing mentor, Mercedes Lackey. I figure a trip to Seattle is a cheaper way to finally meet her in person than a plane flight to her digs in Oklahoma. An added bonus is that the conference entrance fee includes one-on-one meetings with agents and editors, so I’ll have the opportunity to pitch my book.

In some ways, it feels odd to pay money to attend seminars and lectures. My natural inclination is to research an industry on my own, avoiding such formalized instruction. Yet Misty assures me these conferences are fantastic for networking, which is something that has not always come easily to me. And the admission price is so steep, you can be sure I’ll be focused on getting value out of the experience no matter what!

The Scotsman in me hates to spend that money — and by God will bitch about it to everyone just to take the sting out of it — but it certainly does serve to separate the random fans from the serious writers. It also galvanizes me to be serious about my craft, to regard it with a greater sense of urgency and care, knowing I have to make a presentation to an industry pro. Do it once and do it right, I’ve always said, and sometimes followed.