My First Writers Conference by Ava Pennington www.Avawrites.com
I attended my first Florida Christian Writers Conference (FCWC) full of hope and a suitcase packed with five copies of three different book proposals. Why so many copies? Because I was sure editors would fight over my work, and I wanted to ensure enough copies for everyone!
Not only did no one offer me a publishing contract, editors were less than complimentary about the quality of my writing. In tears, I called my husband that Friday night and apologized for wasting his money on what was clearly an out-of-reach dream.
As you can imagine, I had much to learn about publishing!
Was my first writers conference a disaster? Absolutely not! At that same conference, I learned just how much I did not know about writing and publishing. I learned about queries and proposals. I discovered acronyms such as POV and RUE. I met agents and editors who took the time to explain the basics of this industry to a neophyte who didn’t know how much she didn’t know.
I found prospects, too. One magazine editor reviewed my writing and gave me an opportunity to submit a magazine article to him…which he published a few months later!
Other editors and agents encouraged me to persevere. Over and over, what I heard was not No, but rather Not yet.
That was in 2006. I returned to the FCWC in 2007 and 2008. Each year I learned more, honed my skills, and was encouraged to continue persevering. I built up a substantial portfolio of publishing credits writing for magazines such as Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse and anthologies such as Chicken Soup for the Soul.
During the FCWC in 2009, I met the editor who acquired my one-year devotional, One Year Alone with God: 366 Devotions on the Names of God (Revell). At that same conference, I met the editor who acquired a co-authored project called Faith Basics for Kids, including Do You Love Me More? and Will I See You Today? (Standard Publishing).
In 2010, I taught a workshop on writing for anthologies which I will teach again this year.
Have I arrived? No. I’m still learning, still writing, and still attending the Florida Christian Writers Conference.
How about you?MY First Writers Conference
How about you?MY First Writers Conference
Ava,thanks for sharing. I so wished I could attend this year, but my schedule did not permit, but I have not giving up. I have published my first book and am fully aware that I still have a lot to learn. This blog was so encouraging. Thanks again. When you PAUSE, visit www.PausingWithGod.com Be blessed Sheri
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheri. We're all still learning!
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend Ava's workshop on anthologies. Multi-published in anthologies, she knows whereof she speaks. And Ava, you demonstrated a quality I find essential for success in publishing (and most other ventures as well): teachability.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your journey. I look forward to more!
Ava, just wanted to say thank you to you...last year I attended your workshop on writing for anthologies, and I submitted an article to several of the sites you gave us...WOW! I am so excited and honored that my essay, Comfort Measures Only, was selected for the recently published book, "A New Song: Glimpses of the Grace Journey, an anthology of essays, poems, stories and photos celebrating God's grace on life's journey" (Edited by Diane Kulkarni).
ReplyDeleteClick here to order "A New Song: Glimpses of the Grace Journey" http://www.mscbc.org/anewsong.htm
That's great news, Beth! Congratulations!
ReplyDelete