For all of us writers, one of the difficult things about the pandemic has been the cancellation of so many of the annual conferences that we depend on for continuing education, camaraderie, critiques and just general get-out-from-behind-our-desks opportunities.
But even though our in-person connections may have been curtailed this year, there are still a ton of ways to experience the networking and learning of a conference environment.
Many of the conferences scheduled for this summer have already announced that they’ll still be taking place – just in the virtual world instead of the real world. For many, prices have come down for the conference itself, plus you can save on travel, food and hotel, putting even big conferences within reach for more people than ever.
Conferences aren’t the only way to connect with your fellow writers, book lovers, agents, editors and book sellers, though. Here are the ways three Pennies have been keeping up with the publishing world:
Richelle
I had already registered for my regional SCBWI conference, including a professional critique, when the pandemic shut everything down. The conference was postponed, but they held the critiques via Zoom on the weekend when it had been scheduled.
Critiques are nerve-wracking in person, but I found that without the distractions of a conference, I was a bit more anxious. And Zoom calls! Haven’t we all had enough of those lately?
I set up in my usual Zoom call spot and warned my family to be quiet for the 15 minute session. But other than the use of technology, the online critique experience was pretty much the same as an in-person one. The conference organizers shuffled us in and out of the appropriate breakout rooms, the agents and editors giving the critiques were prepared and knowledgeable, and we even had a chance post-critique to talk about our experience.
Since that experience was so positive, I’ve since taken advantage of a few other Zoom educational sessions set up by my local writing organizations, and I registered for the online SCBWI conference this summer. It won’t be the same as seeing and meeting people and taking classes in the real world, but there is still a lot of fun and learning to be had in the virtual one.
Halli
Let me first say that I can’t wait to see other writers and readers in person. Even this introvert misses the face to face conversations, getting books signed, and classroom workshops. But I have to admit, the quarantine has given me opportunities I normally would not have had. I’ve attended more book events, workshops, and even launches. Without having to worry about taking vacation days and the costs of airfare and hotels, I am “getting out” more than I did before.
The plus side for me is that I am seeing more authors and hearing about more books than ever. The negative side is that I need another job to pay for all my new book purchases!
Here are a few of the events I’ve attended this year – virtually.
1. Yallstayathome (Yallwest) with panels that included Nic Stone, Traci Chee, and Romina Garber
2. SLJ Day of Dialog. Panels included YA authors such as Tiffany D. Jackson, Lauren Shippen, and Samantha Mabry
3. YA Horror Chat on YouTube with authors Kendare Blake, Rory Power, and Cat Winters
4. Smack Dab in the Middle Book Festival with Rajani LaRocca, Erin Dionne, and Abby Cooper
5. Book launches such EFRED DIVIDED by author Ernesto Cisneros
6. SCBWI Digital Workshops. I saw Linda Sue Park, Henry Winkler, and Marietta Zacker!
7. Free Expressions Summer Success Series with Lorin Oberweger, Emma Dryden, and Donald Maas.
Rebecca
In addition to fiction writing, I also do freelance writing and this leads to a whole lot of time in front of my computer. While this is great for social distancing, it can also make one stir-crazy.
To combat this, I’ve been walking weekly with a writer-friend. We target forest trails where we won’t run into many people and can stay safe. Our conversations circle around what our kids are up to, plot or character problems in our current manuscripts, book/TV/movie recommendations, good places for ordering take out, and back to plot and character problems.
Fresh air and exercise are great for boosting creativity any time, but particularly helpful now while we’re spending so much time in isolation.
More Great Opportunities
SCBWI has launched a series of digital learning opportunities during the pandemic. The SCBWI Digital Workshops are available for members on their website, and a new round of workshops was recently announced. Check the upcoming events out here and recordings of past events out here.
And be on the lookout for local and national writing conferences put on by other groups – even those that you may have shrugged off in the past because of time, distance or cost constraints. Most are going online this year, making them more affordable and accessible than ever.
Sorry you missed some of those great events? Follow @wingedpen on Twitter. We regularly look out for and retweet great upcoming writerly events!