Do you go to conferences? I'm such a conference virgin. No, not true - I'd been to Merritt, organized by RWA Chapter SARA in San Antonio. Met a great online friend Mary in person, received a request from an editor, got autographed books - and lots of good words - from bestselling author and incredibly kind woman Sharon Sala. All in all, lots of fun, that sadly, I didn't repeat yet.

I try to think big now. Yes, I mean the Nationals. It's in Texas this year, so hooray here. But the fee is scary, and so is the idea of shy me in a huge event like this. From those who'd been through the ropes or are going there, is it worth it?

I know, there are so many tempting factors - networking and meeting online gals, workshops, spotlights on publishers, appointments. But I'm wondering, how it's possible to squeeze that much in just several days? Is it really THE place to be and THE event every writer/reader should experience? And not to get lost at the feast of opportunities, where exactly at the Nationals is the place to be? Btw, speaking of conferences, small and big, which are the ones you go to? Why?

Hey Olga! I've been to Moonlight and Magnolias. Which is a great chapter conference. And my first. One of things I love about this conference is the editors and agents do mingle. And they not only have the editor and agent appointments, they do cold reads over submissions. Tell you what worked for them, what didn't and even request material right there.

And then I went to Nationals this year. It's amazing and overwhelming. I wanted to do so much and it seemed like all the workshops were paired against other workshops I wanted to attend. I sort of split my time and tried to pace myself.

There is always something going on. it cn be overwhelming. But I've learned a lot from every conference I've attended and I think I've made some great new friends, too.

I'm going no matter what the cost and no matter what I get out of it. It's time I got off my agoraphobic fat ass and do something ... um, but first I have to join RWA, huh? You know, it's always something. LOL

So yes, I'm going to National this year.

Tess, thanks for all the info! I heard Moonlight and Magnolias is a great conference, too, and it was high on my list together with DARA's Dreaming in Dallas. Thanks for all the info!

Bailey, so you're going? Awesome! As far as I know, you don't have to be a member of RWA, but for non-members the fee is higher.

I don't think I'll get to RWA national this year. I did join EPIC and am going to their conference in March, which will be my first such event. I'm sure it will be overwhelming and taxing to the introvert (moi), but hopefully the rewards will blance it out. The workshops look great, Kenyon is the keynote speaker, and I'll get to meet one of my online critique partners.

Marty, waving to a fellow introvert! EPIC conference sounds like lots of fun, and there are lots of benefits for sure. That's a pity you're not coming to the Nationals, though!

I'm really waffling on conference this year. Part of me really wants to go, another doesn't, probably for the same reasons as you. If I've sold by then, I might feel like I should go. If not, I'll probably pass. I'm definitely going next year since it is in San Francisco. I need little prodding to get me to go to San Francisco.

Rene, I hope you do sell! Interesting, I already know several people who probably won't make it to Dallas but will go to San Francisco.

I haven't been to any conferences - perhaps this year I'll go to some of the events in the Sydney Writer's Festival

Olga, I HATED my first RWA conference. I was so overwhelmed, so much to do. I felt like I had to go to a workshop EVERY hour or I wasn't getting my money's worth. I only knew SARAs there, it was big, it was overwhelming. I skipped the next year and went to NYC because I was a GH finalist. THAT year I had a blast. I hooked up with some online friends and we were inseparable. Again, I was compelled to go to a workshop EVERY hour, which meant I missed out on some sightseeing opportunities, but it was so much fun. Dallas was more stressful because my grandmother was dying, but I felt so surrounded by love by my writer friends. Atlanta was fun but overwhelming again, and I didn't go to hardly any workshops!

I'm not going to Dallas this year because my son's sweet 16 is the same weekend. Any other birthday...sigh.

Olga, the cons certainly lift your spirits. It's a great feeling when attending. RWA also has a scholarship as does some of the sister chapters. The way I decide is easy, if they are close enough. haha! 2008 is in San Francisco and I am so there. =D

Claire, have fun at the Festival! I don't think I'll ever make it to Sydney Writer's Festival, though it would be so awesome to visit Australia, period.

Mary, wow, you definitely have a lot of experience! Thank you so much for sharing! And it's such a pity you're not going to be in Dallas this year!

Kelly, to tell the truth, I weigh in the same factor. I made it to Merritt because San Antonio was only an hour away!

I was a conference virgin at last year's national in Atlanta. All there was to do was a bit overwhelming, but it's easier when you get there. I really got a lot out of it. It was while I was there that I realized what I REALLY want to write and where I need to focus my energies. And I got to meet really great people like Tess. That's been one of the lasting results.

I won't make it to Dallas this year... Too far and too many other things going on. :-(

The only conference I've been to was RWA National in Reno. It was overwhelming, but still fun. One thing I'll do differently is *not* wait in line to get free books. I came home with scads and hardly read any of them. I'll be in class learning stuff instead the next time I go.

April, overwhelming is probably the way I'd feel. It's awesome that the conference in Atlanta had such results on you, and thanks for sharing the experience!

Meretta, thanks for the advice! Yes, I can dig it. The time at the conference is precious, and though freebies are tempting, workshops might be more important!

I'm so jealous, I'd love to go to RWA, esp. if you and Bailey are going. Be cool to hang out. I haven't been to any conferences but I did get the workshop cds from last year. Very informative :)

Lis, I'd sooo love to meet you! I know you're far from us, girl, but is there any chance you can fly here?