Are all conferences expensive, or is it just Colorado?

[karaokecrush]

I really want (and feel I need to go to) writer's conferences, but have found that the ones that are available to me are 1) expensive 2) on days I have to work and/or 3) really far away.  I'm not complaining, I'm just having a hard time justifying the cost.  Of course I think it's important, it's just a tough call.  I live in BFE (aka New Castle Colorado  ... Where's that? Exactly my point.)  If you want to be precise, it's a tiny town 45 minutes down valley from Aspen and almost exactly three hours from both Denver and Salt Lake City, Utah (yes, opposite directions ... right smack dab in middle.)  I work Weekends, late night ... even if I could make the one in Aspen ... just the agent meeting version ... it's damned expensive and I probably wouldn't be awake for it.  Parental unit lives in Chicago, and going out that way is an option, but is it worth the cost?  GRRRRR

[MaryL]

Depends on the conference.  I paid 400 dollars plus hotel and gas for a conference recently. (ended up being around $700 total)  I had paid in advance and got an agent in the interim.  I gave up my agent pitch sessions and went to the workshops, which were informative but not worth the money since meeting agents face-to-face was the main function of the conference. Research your conferences to see who the keynote speaker is and who is conducting the workshops.  I always have a blast and recommend it if the budget allows. 

[karaokecrush]

Thanks, helps a lot.   

[G-Woman]

Cost has kept me away from conferences, too.

It amuses me that Absolute Write is vociferous about the money goes to the author, yet they also stamp their approval on conferences that cost hundreds of dollars.  The writer damned well better get some money or consider their writing career a money pit.

I'm thinking of a couple of upcoming conferences that are within driving distance, but I'm having a problem getting up any enthusiasm about anything right now.

Still, if a conference with RWA, SCBWI, SFWA, or HWA (depending on your genre) shows up nearby, you should seriously consider going.

As for the pitch sessions, I'm skeptical of their value for the midlist writer.  Clearly, there are too many writers and not enough agents or publishers.  Try to attend informational sessions instead.

But what do I know?  I haven't gotten an agent.  My publisher is micro.  My self-pubs are doing quite well.  Why was it I needed an agent again?

[isinglass]

You mentioned the Aspen conference (which I didn't know about). Aspen is expensive. Period! There's the Colorado Gold Conference in September in Denver put on by the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (http://www.rmfw.org) and the Pike's Peak Writers Conference in April in Colorado Springs (http://www.ppwc.net). They both have writing contests and agent/editor pitch sessions. Admission is roughly $200 (depending on when you pay) exclusive of hotel, food, travel, etc.

I haven't been to the Pike's Peak one, but I have been to the Gold Conference a couple of times. They had a lot of very helpful workshops. I'd love to go again, but it would be nice if I had a steady income (read: JOB) first.

[sonyamsipes]

A great & affordable alternative to going to conferences that are only geared towards writers is going to a literary convention (in the Speculative fiction field, there are very many to choose from) especially one that sponsors a workshop.

A good example of one (that is going on this weeked) is FenCon here in the DFW metroplex.  http://www.fencon.org/workshop.html

Also, this website has a great link to other Cons that happen over the year, several of which also have workshops that you can attend...  There may be one near you!  (However, not all of them are literary conventions, so you will have to look at each to see if it is right for you).  http://www.fencon.org/calendar.php

This is a GREAT way to nework!  I go to at least one or two local cons a year, and about every other year, I spring to go to one that is out of state, i.e. WisCon is one of my favorites.

[isinglass]

MileHiCon here in Denver is coming up at the end of October. They don't have anything like agent pitches, but a lot of writers attend, and they do have panels about writing and about sf literature. And you don't have to dress professionally like you do at writing conferences. A Serenity tee shirt and a pair of jeans are just fine. Propeller beanie optional. 

[G-Woman]

MileHiCon here in Denver is coming up at the end of October. They don't have anything like agent pitches, but a lot of writers attend, and they do have panels about writing and about sf literature. And you don't have to dress professionally like you do at writing conferences. A Serenity tee shirt and a pair of jeans are just fine. Propeller beanie optional. 

Oh, gotta get that Serenity t-shirt. Having to get my Nathan Fillion fix on Castle.  He's so cute!!!!

[isinglass]

Come to MileHiCon. They'll probably either have one or know where you can get one. I'm not sure where to get the propeller beanie, though.

http://www.milehicon.org

[karaokecrush]

You mentioned the Aspen conference (which I didn't know about). Aspen is expensive. Period! There's the Colorado Gold Conference in September in Denver put on by the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (http://www.rmfw.org) and the Pike's Peak Writers Conference in April in Colorado Springs (http://www.ppwc.net). They both have writing contests and agent/editor pitch sessions. Admission is roughly $200 (depending on when you pay) exclusive of hotel, food, travel, etc.

I haven't been to the Pike's Peak one, but I have been to the Gold Conference a couple of times. They had a lot of very helpful workshops. I'd love to go again, but it would be nice if I had a steady income (read: JOB) first.

I went to the Pike's Peak one this last April ... but only for the Saturday (which was still mighty pricey ... but the food was amazing.  I suppose that justifies SOME of the cost.)  And it was a really helpful conference.  I'm not sure if we'll do it again. Ihear the Aspen one is terrific, but $$$ ugh

[Molly Z]

Nothing really to add to this thread except that I'm also a Colorado writer (in a 'burb of Denver) and it's neat to know there's other nearby QTers. 

For me, the main problem with going to conferences around here is finding a babysitter.  Ah, the joys of writing with small children around.

[karaokecrush]

ok, since most of you know me as the tangent queen, i will not dissapoint you.  i have not been here as of late because of my addiction to avatar im chat games .... feel freee to cringe here. but some good has come of it : i could not have gotten through nanowrimo without my huge support base of really coool cartoon buddies and i have now begun to explore places to go for conferences that are not too terribly far from my folks' hovel. i have met writer peeps that  dont apppear to be serial killers who i might meet for a coffee while in town provided i have lots of mace and 9 volt batteries for my stun gun.  just  kidding folks. ive grown an incredible critique group who have helped me immensely.  if i do go out to see my p's ... i will look up a conference first. my mum is scary and a plan b is always advisable.  i love the idea of meeting new writers face to face always. hope  all of you had a pleasant winter holiday season and enjoy your new year   crush out! DISCLAIMER:QUERYTRACKER NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OUTRAGE, DISGUST, ETC CAUSED BY KARAOKECRUSH'S COMMENTS ...

[Sonya]

I live in California and went to the Squaw Valley Writers Conference last summer.  I thought it was worthwhile. I know they give scholarships and work waivers, so you might check out their site in a month when they post info about the 2010 conference.  You share housing with other writers, which helps keep costs down (and partying up if that's what you're into).
I met two agents there who asked me to submit.  (Still waiting on them)