Conferences are a terrific way to network – especially when you are a new or unpublished author.
Radine’s Weblog has an interesting discussion going about why conferences are dying, possible reasons for it and how the landscape must adapt for the future.
One commenter mentioned a new virtual conference – the Poison Pen Web Conference, the first global virtual mystery convention. I am a huge proponent of online media (as you likely know already), and plan to attend this conference myself. The $25 price tag definitely fits my tight budget. (Donations go to a public library, which is a bonus.)
This conference appears to offer virtual networking opportunities in chat rooms with other authors and speakers. It would definitely be worth the look. Participants can offer their book trailers to play as part of the conference. If you miss anything, or want to take two tracks, everything will be archives for later viewing pleasure.
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators conferences are state-run and continue to do well. Minnesota’s own chapter is having one this weekend, and if our registration numbers are any indication, we’re going to do well.
I think the major factor with the success of our conferences is that we keep our costs low. There are plenty of events I can’t attend because the registration fees are so high. It’s a tough call, because by and large these events really are great for networking (and in my case as an illustrator chained to my art table, a welcome chance to get outside), but sometimes the budget just can’t be stretched that far.
Conferences aren’t dying, but the excess of smaller conferences is being thinned out, rather like the stock market “adjustment.” The great regional conferences are continuing to do just fine, however. The Emerald City Writers Conference (Seattle WA, October 9-11, 2009, is nearly sold out. And Wordstock (same weekend in Portland OR), which is a combination conference/bookfest is also looking to do well, with something approaching 200 authors scheduled to attend.