Are Writing Events Worth It? How to Make the Most of an Event as a Writer

Writing a book takes a massive amount of skill - literary talent, immense creativity and incredible dedication. But you might find the solitary act of writing isolating, and you'd love some inspiration - or, perhaps, you've written the book and have no idea where to go next. In either case, attending an event might be a fantastic next step for you.

Events offer a range of sessions, lectures and seminars on a range of topics - from writing workshops to aid people with their work in progress, to seminars on different publishing routes, and one-to-ones with literary agents. No matter where you are in your writing journey, there is an event out there to help inspire and motivate you, and give you advice to help you achieve your goals. 

‘I rely on attending the annual Self-Publishing Conference to re-energise my conviction of the indie route – and to give me direction for areas that I have not yet considered. Technology, social media and means of reaching readers constantly evolve and I find the conference keeps me abreast of all of this. 

Jude Hayland, Troubador author

The UK hosts a range of quality and vibrant writing and publishing events year-round that allow you to learn writing and publishing skills, make new friends and form a group of like-minded contacts to bounce ideas off. However, attending events, whether you’re an aspiring author or you’ve been published, can be intimidating and terrifying. Maybe you have no idea where to start with identifying good events – maybe you feel nervous about going alone.

We’ve now been running the Self-Publishing Conference for many years, and one of our favourite parts is being able to spend the day talking to authors, writers, and indie publishers – some who’ve published multiple books and some who are halfway through penning their first. Over the years, we've gained an understanding of the reasons why authors love events. We see nervous authors, those who have never been to a writing or publishing event before, through to the super-confident networkers who have no such qualms.

So, whether you need inspiration with your writing, you’ve got a complete manuscript, or you’re a published author, here are our top tips for picking an event that is right for you and getting the most out of the day.

Why Should You Attend Events? 

Attending events can be crucial for a writer. Whether you’re in the writing stage and are looking for some insight and inspiration on editorial, or you’re a seasoned author wanting to stay up-to-date, writing events offer you the opportunity to connect with industry professionals, who highlight the most important and current aspects of the writing and publishing world. For instance, our Self-Publishing Experience Day offers aspiring self-publishers a day of sessions tailored to demystify the self-publishing process. Just in one day, writers can walk away with an in-depth understanding of the self-publishing process, and having had the opportunity to discuss their manuscripts with industry experts, enabling them decide what route and services are optimal for them. 

Networking is a massive part of why we recommend events to authors. Whether you’re looking to connect with like-minded writers or seeking an opportunity with an industry professional, events offer you a one-stop shop in connecting with people who might help you further your writing career, or just people who will be interested in your writing and will purchase a copy when you publish! Writing is, by nature, a solitary act, and it is wonderful to watch writers connect with each other. 

More than anything, events can be a brilliant way for writers to get inspired. Our favourite moments after the Self-Publishing Conference are seeing how the attendees relax into the day, finding new friends and learning new skills. The buzz in the room at the end of the day always says it all, attendees leave fired-up and enthused, ready to get back to their projects with new passion. This is what writing and publishing events should give to authors – a renewed belief in what you are doing and why. 

Identify What Type of Event is Right For You

There are many writing/publishing events and conferences all over the UK from one-day events to three-day residential courses. These can seem daunting, and quite expensive, so identifying which events will actually be beneficial to you is really important. 

When you're first looking, a great place to start is the Writers’ bible, The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook. This will give you a range of events, hand-picked with writers' needs in mind. 

Top Tip: Check out the Event Guide 

All events will publish a guide, detailing the specifics of each talk and activity that they will be hosting. Identify who they are aiding - are they helping you shape your work, are they giving you advice on the submissions process? Or are the talks more author-focused, such as new marketing methods, or tips for book signings? 

Our Recommended Events: 

• Bournemouth Writing Festival (annually, normally in April): This award-winning festival is a full weekend event, offering 100s of events and activities, and allowing you to meet literary agents and industry insiders.
• Jericho’s London Festival of Writing (annually, normally in June): this is a weekend of workshops, panels, literary agent-one-to-ones, and live events. Featuring talks from best-selling authors, literary agents and publishers and attended by 400 writers from around the world, it is the perfect environment for a writer to feel inspired and energised. It’s hosted by Jericho Writers, an organisation that supports writers throughout all stages of their writing journey, so you know they are tailoring the day to exactly what a writer needs. It is aimed for writers at any stage of their writing journey.
• Bournemouth’s Romance Writing Festival (annually, normally in October): Bournemouth’s Romance Writing Festival is a one day event, which brings together 100s of writers for a full day of inspiration, panels and talks - all beside the sea. It offers insight from top romance authors, masterclasses designed to improve your writing, and 1-2-1 sessions with literary agents. For aspiring romance authors, the targeted information provided makes this a must-attend event.
• The Self-Publishing Experience Day (quarterly): designed specifically for people who are interested in self-publishing but haven’t self-published yet, our Self-Publishing Experience Day aims to demystify the self-publishing journey, offering talks from industry professionals on a range of topics, from production to editorial to cover design to marketing and distribution. Described by recent attendees as a “fantastic day”, as “each one of the sessions was hugely helpful and informative”, authors walk away feeling enthusiastic and ready to start their self-publishing journey.  
• The Self-Publishing Conference (annually, normally in September): The Self-Publishing Conference in Leicestershire exists to give solid, useful advice on self-publishing and all the tools you need to do it well. With less of a focus on writing – but more emphasis on how to publish, market and distribute, it is a great day out celebrating self-publishing. It is packed full of talks, workshops and masterclasses from industry experts, and guest speakers for authors, and is appreciated by both aspiring authors and those who are published alike. 
• London Book Fair (annually, March): The London Book Fair is the best known annual book event in the UK. Whilst, traditionally and primarily, The London Book Fair is a trade event, it has in recent years expanded to include areas such as the Author HQ, a hub to educate authors. There are also a range of sessions targeted at authors, such as the Writers’ Summit, which is the journey of a book from writing to publication, holding your space as an author, and self-publishing or the traditional model: the inside track. This evolution has meant that The London Book Fair has become an invaluable event for authors to attend (and you can meet us there, too!) 

Pre-Event Preparation

Check if Any Seminars or Sessions Need Pre-Booking 

Before the event, study the programme and see if there are any sessions or seminars that need pre-booking. Other events have just one main programme – so you’d go to everything on the timetable for that day. Studying the programme in advance lets you plan your day, ensuring you won’t miss any crucial talks because you were unaware they were on. It also might be worth figuring out any pressing questions to might have in advance - there can be a lot of information on the day, so it’s good to feel prepared. 

Can You Promote Your Work There? 

Identify if it is the kind of event where you can promote your book or manuscript. If it is, unless you have been told specifically to bring a full manuscript, consider if you need to carry the entire thing with you. Instead, get the synopsis/blurb of your work polished and perfect and take copies of that with you – making sure you’ve put your name and contact details on it of course! Have business cards printed – invaluable for networking with experts and fellow authors alike – and small and easy to carry. Or investigate electronic business cards and file sharing to avoid having lots of literature with you.

Ask the organisers if there is anywhere that delegates can leave leaflets or sample books for other delegates to browse through at the event. At the Self-Publishing Conference, we make a table available for delegates to leave information about themselves and their project, and we find this offers many great networking opportunities. Ensure any marketing materials you take for you and your book are professional, error-free and represent you as an author well.

Stay in the Loop: Social Media

If you are on social media, make sure to keep an eye out on the organiser’s page. Companies utilise social media to communicate important information about the event, as well as sneak peeks and exciting information to help you get buzzing for the event! 

At the Event

Make Sure You Have Everything You Need

• Notes, notes, notes! You’ll get a lot of information during the day, so have a notebook, laptop and pens. Most events make delegates’ bags and small notebooks available, but I find it’s best to take your own, as that way you don’t risk running out of paper during the day.
• Access to the slides: Before a presentation, ask if the slides being presented onscreen will be made available afterwards for delegates – this means you don’t have to scribble down everything that appears on the presentation but can concentrate on making notes on the talk around it.

Take the Opportunity to Network! 

Take every opportunity for networking – coffee breaks and lunches are a crucial part of the day, so chat and interact with as many people as possible during breaks, rather than grab quiet time on your own. If anyone is offering business cards that might be of use, make sure you take one! You never know who you might meet: it might be someone who can help you take your writing to the next level! 

The sign of a good event is that you go home exhausted but buzzing – with a notebook full of inspiration.

Follow Up

Don't Dawdle: Networking and Notes 

It is true that striking while the iron is hot makes the follow-up much easier – so within a few days of your return, drop messages to anyone you particularly enjoyed talking to build your network. It’s worth reviewing your notes as soon as possible when returning too – often notes scribbled in haste are impossible to decipher later, so take time to re-read sooner rather than later.

The weeks following the event are the perfect time to follow up on tips and leads you picked up – and remember to check back with the event website too. Often the presentations and factsheets used on the day go online post-event and offer more opportunities to learn. Ultimately, writers – established or new – benefit enormously from getting out there and attending writing or publishing events.

Summary

So are writing events worth it? The answer is yes, absolutely they are. Events are invaluable places for both aspiring and published self-publishers: there is so much to learn, so many incredible people to meet, and they are a great way to stay on top of the constantly evolving publishing world. The opportunities to meet and learn from the people who have been there and done that is absolutely invaluable, and the connections you make is often worth the price of the ticket alone. 

Preparing for an event helps ensure that you are getting the absolute most out of the day. Just make sure that, when you get there, you are fearless about introducing yourself and your work. 

Happy Networking!