DFWCON: WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN

Editor’s Note: This blog was written in 2017.

What is a writing conference and why would someone want to go?

I’d asked myself this question many times when researching which conference would be the best first conference to go to.

Yes, maybe one in South Dakota would have been better suited for me because hey, that’s where I live, right? Wrong.

It’s not about location, but quality of conference.

Fourteen agents.

Eighty-one classes, workshops, critique sessions, etc.

Nearly 1,000 people over a two-day event.

You’re probably thinking, “81 classes, however will I choose?” I thought the same thing.

The first thing you should consider is this: What is your goal?

My goal was to learn about the industry from industry professionals. I attended the Ask an Agent Anything Panel in which Dawn Frederick, Christopher Rhodes, Abby Saul and Barbara Rosenberg answered questions about the purpose of an agent, why an author should seek representation and what they look for in a partnership. I also attended Abby’s Author-Agent Relationship workshop where she explained what the job description of an agent really is and what your role as an author is in the Author-Agent relationship. Honestly, so eye-opening.

I also attended a slew of other inspiring, jaw-dropping classes – too many to mention.

Now, I wish I’d known I’d be overwhelmed with information and would need a break after half a day of classes.

I also wish I’d known a conference isn’t just a place to meet new people, but to develop relationships with these people. Not just relationships, but friendships. Relationships sound like you’re networking to get ahead in the industry, when you’re networking to help each other succeed, not put people down as you step on their heads, their dreams, so yours can flourish.

Additionally, I wish I’d known I would be accepted.

Acceptance. Something that is very difficult to obtain in my current line of work. Yes, I’m accepted in the military, I have the same rights as men. I wear the same uniform, work in the same career field, the same office. This isn’t the kind of acceptance I’m talking about.

I’m new to this industry, as are many of the writers I met this past weekend. And that’s ok. New is acceptable. By acceptance, I mean I wish I’d known that other people besides my family find my ideas interesting, something they would want to read, and that only inspired me more to pursue my dreams and help others succeed in theirs.

There are many other things I wish I knew, but there are also other things I want to say, so I’ll say goodbye for now.