Posted by: Eileen Astels Watson
For those of us who are writers, we all know the importance of putting Writer's Conferences high on our list of to-do's. Not only for the educational value or the opportunity to come face to face with editors and agents, but Writer's Conferences are great opportunities to just sit back and feel at home in our own unique skin with like minds. For most of us, that's a rarity in our day-to-day life. One that would do well to be filled more often.
For those of us who are writers, we all know the importance of putting Writer's Conferences high on our list of to-do's. Not only for the educational value or the opportunity to come face to face with editors and agents, but Writer's Conferences are great opportunities to just sit back and feel at home in our own unique skin with like minds. For most of us, that's a rarity in our day-to-day life. One that would do well to be filled more often. One of the challenges with being an international writer is that Writer's Conferences in close vicinity are rare, if at all available. As a romance writer, I've discovered a few smaller RWA chapter conferences hosted in past years within a reasonable distance, though they aren't devoted to Christian fiction, which poses it's own challenge to say the least.
But there is one Canadian Christian writer's conference I have attended three years in a row that is actually hosted within an easy drive from where I live and it happens to be the largest Canadian Christian Writer's conference too. Write! Canada hosted by The Word Guild in Guelph, Ontario each year in June. It is not near as large as what ACFW or RWA offers in the United States, but still, it is a time for learning and a time for sharing and growing with other writers that certainly feeds attendees souls.
I'm curious, I wonder how many other international writer's conferences are available out there or us to look up and ponder attending perhaps. Might we share the ones we are familiar with to spread the word, and offer a place for us solitary-type writers to interact with like minds and spread our networking wings? Please, if you know of a conference in your area, please do share, you never know who might read your comment and discover a conference they too could attend, far closer to home than they ever imagined.
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
Eileen Astels Watson lives in a small village in Southern Ontario, Canada, with her husband and three daughters, and a zoo of well-loved pets. She writes Contemporary Christian Romance Novels, not yet published, but all in God's timing she prays. You can learn more about Eileen's writing journey on her personal blog, A Christian Romance Writer's Journey.
You've hit the nail on the head for me, Eileen. I'm on the West Coast of Canada and looking for a Christian Authors conference that won't bankrupt me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post.
Even in the U.S., there are areas where writers conferences are few and far between. I lived in New England for years, and found almost no support for Christian writers.
ReplyDeleteWhen I moved to another state, it was like being dropped into writer heaven. We have a major Christian conference within driving distance, writers groups, and a nurturing environment.
I'm glad you've found something close to your home, Eileen.
Blessings,
Susan :)
We have a few conferences held here in Australia, but they seem to all be on the East Coast. I'd love to see more conferences and more Christian writing groups here. Now that would be great!
ReplyDeleteInscribe Christian Writers' Fellowship holds two great conferences on the west side of Canada - the Fall conference is always the last weekend in September and is held in Edmonton AB. 2010 is our 30th anniversary so it will be a bit special - Sigmund Brouwer will be our main speaker.
ReplyDeleteThe Spring WorDshop will be held in Calgary AB on March 19-20. Alton Gansky is the main speaker.
Check out the Inscribe Website - there is a ton of info. for writers there. www.inscribe.org
The Litt-World conference for Christian writers and publishers in the majority world was held in November in Kenya. (That's where I found out about International Christian fiction Writers!) It's only every three years, so it will be a while before there is another chance. They move to various regions of the world.
ReplyDeleteI have never limited myself to Christian conferences, but then since I write for children and young people, there is not as much of a problem with language and morality issues--although they are discussed!