Some of us, who live in a galaxy far away as I do, cannot often afford the expensive airline ticket, the sky-high hotel room, the exorbitant registration fee of such highly-regarded writer’s conferences as those held in Maui or Santa Barbara. Or maybe we just can’t get the time off. Fortunately, there’s another way.
Some of the most prestigious conferences make many of their sessions available on audio CD’s, downloadable podcasts, even streaming video.
Dont’ get me wrong: if you CAN afford the time and expense, do choose a conference and go. Last summer, I went to the Santa Barbara Writer’s Conference, which was worth every penny [LOTs of them actually]. I learned a lot from the workshops and keynote speakers. I had my publishing hopes crushed and encouraged in several agent interviews. I bought a big stack of how-to books to lug home. I met people whom, to my delight, are beginning to form a personal writer’s network. And I still walk around town with the conference book bag slung over my shoulder keeping my AlphaSmart NEO word processor, a notebook and a digital voice recorder immediately at hand.
On the other hand, there are a number of writer’s conferences that make some of their sessions available after the fact. For example, the 2007 BookExpo America/Writer’s Digest Books Writer’s Conference offers four of its sessions on streaming video, with others soon to be available as free downloadable audio podcasts. Novelist Judy Picoult’s humorous, informative and inspiring keynote address is available for free viewing on streaming video — and breaking all rules, I suggest you leave this blog and click on over right now to the BEA/WD site and enjoy this remarkable presentation. Another three sessions can be viewed for a minimal charge of $20. Once you’ve paid, you can return to review the video as often as you like.
The Maui Writers Conference sits on a vast backlist of video and audio from previous conferences. Recently, MWC began making this material available on a subscription basis at Maui Writers Online. Registration and a fee of $19.95 lets you in the door for a month; $99 will buy a six-month subscription. MWC Online will offer a number of new selections each month, including videos, audio podcasts, printed transcripts and blogs, a real continuing education for those who sign up.
When you first visit the website, you’ll see a video window. Allow your computer to rest for a minute or two to pull the sample video into its buffer, then click on the Play arrow. Mostly you’ll only see and hear writer’s inside jokes and humor from many presentors, but at least you will be exposed to the method of presentation. However, I can personally attest that the content of the full presentations is provocative and helpful — one of the presentations even revolutionized my approach to note-taking. You can also click the sidebar links to preview a sample podcast, download several transcripts or read the site’s blog.
The American Society of Journalists and Authors takes a different approach to making its past sessions available. Its Conference Recordings page provides links to sites maintained by its subcontractor, who recorded the sessions. There you can purchase CD’s [$19] or pay for downloadable mp3 files [$15] for individual sessions from 2007. ASJA makes available presentations dating back to 2002, covering altogether a wide array of topics.
Another source is VWtapes Conference and Seminar Recordings. Here you will find presentations from several of the top writers conferences, including Maui Writers, San Francisco Writers, Writing For Change, Yosemite Writers, San Diego Writers, Whidbey Writers, Desert Dreams Romance Writers and even the American Screenwriters Association.
Now that the school year has begun and the kids have been packed away to class, perhaps it’s time for YOU to click down some presentations and attend a writers conference in the comfort of your home. Your choice of topics is comprehensive, from business considerations to writing technique to genre writing.
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