Anyone ever gone to a Writers Conference?

I'm thinking of attending one or two this year, and was wondering if there are any stories to share out there. I'm convinced networking is the way to go, and wonder if these are good places for that. Seems to me it could be. Thanks!!!!

It is a bit unusual as a science fiction convention, as its emphasis is on writers and the publishing industry rather than a specific franchise. There is also a writers workshop that coincides with the con, although I have yet to have anything finished enough to submit. Details can be found here. This year's guest of honor is Kim Stanley Robinson and the guest publisher is Gordon Van Gelder of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.

...there are a couple otherconferences in and around Seattle this summer that I'd like to check out. I don't do science fiction/fantasy, so I'm looking for something else. Like you, my goal is to connect with those in the actual publishing biz. Thanks for the info.

The general con workshops on the craft of writing, the business of being a professional writer and the publishing industry in general will definitely be worth consideration. I've attended workshops with people who write fantasy, horror, mainstream novels, even westerns. As most panelists will say: a good, well written story is a good, well written story no matter what genre.

It is too late to participate in the writer's boot camp or whatever they call it; audition pieces had to be in several months ago. Consider it for next year, and come down for at least one day and take part in some of the general panels. There will be other publishers there, both national and local. And a lot of agents also attend, scouting for talent. Even if this is outside your genre, NorWesCon is a great opportunity to network and polish your skills.

I didn't realize they filled up so quickly!

and I am considering eother going to the one up norht later in the year or the one in my town in January of the comming year.

They are good as long as you don't overdo them

And I bet Maui was expensive!

lives in Maui so it wasn't that bad, almost local

Who I met, plenty of people, the guy who wrote road to Shanarra, my memory is not what it used to be damn it

the highlight was Gregory Benford actually

Would I go again? Yep, but combine it with a larger family vacation to see family, that is the only way

We had an all-star faculty (several Pulitzer winners, National Poetry Series winners, the whole deal), and several of the students have gone on to publish their work. As a general word of advice, I'd say focus on mastery of craft first, producing a body of work second--then, when you have something you think is publishable, network your ass off. And yes, writer's conferences can be useful for that sort of thing, depending on who's there and what kind of impression you're able to make (and what you're willing to do to, um, get their attention).

Actually, that would be my point in going--not for the workshops but for the networking--I think I have a couple things that are definitely publishable, but it's tough to get anyone to actually raed them unless there's some sort of connection!

Unless you're shopping a novel or other full-length project, there are probably lots of potential venues for your work. That kind of face-to-face networking may not be necessary for you.

If I read your response correctly, shopping a novel means this would be a good venue. Thanks. Evere been to the book expo in New York???

I imagine it depends on the specific conference; certainly personal contacts (almost) never hurt when you're shopping a book around. I might still be looking for an agent if not for a referral from a friend of mine.