75 – Writers Conferences: The Best Investment an Author Can Make, with Sharon Elliott and Sarah Sundin
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“A writers conference is the place I can find out how to get my book published, because my book is perfect, and everyone needs to read it.”
That’s the mistaken assumption three newbie writers – Sarah Sundin, Sharon Elliott, and I – made before we attended our first writers conference.
Oh, were we in for a surprise!
In today’s episode, the three of us chat about our first-ever writers conference experiences, and how attending conferences has shaped our writing careers:
- We learned and fine-tuned the craft of writing for publication
- We learned about the publication industry
- We connected with other writers, literary agents, and publishing house editors
Sharon, Sarah, and I share a passion for teaching.
We also have individual superpowers (aka, giftings, skill sets) of creating spreadsheets, dreaming up big ideas that work, implementing marketing plans, etc. After our early conference experiences, we tapped into those superpowers and began teaching and keynoting at writers conferences. Eventually, we began directing writers conferences.
In fact, Sarah and Sharon are co-directing the 2022 West Coast Christian Writers Conference. During the episode, they share details about the upcoming WCCW Conference. If you’ve never been to a writers conference and are feeling curious (or anxious) about what to expect, this episode will assuage your fears.
If you have attended a writers conference, and want to hear some of our favorite and weird conference stories, listen in!
About Sarah Sundin
Sarah is a bestselling author of World War II novels, including When Twilight Breaks and Until Leaves Fall in Paris (coming February 2022).
When Twilight Breaks was a 2021 Christy Award finalist, The Land Beneath Us was a 2020 Christy Award finalist, and The Sky Above Us received the 2020 Carol Award.
A mother of three adult children, Sarah lives in California and teaches Sunday school and Bible studies. She serves as co-director of the West Coast Christian Writers Conference and enjoys speaking for church, community, and writers’ groups.
Visit Sarah: sarahsundin.com
About Sharon Elliott
“Live significantly!” That’s the inspiring message of Sharon Norris Elliott, award-winning author, editor, literary agent, speaker, and minister.
She has 13 published books, which span genres from parenting, to women’s, to teens’, to children’s, and to general Christian interest. Her latest book is 366 Glimpses of God: Getting to Know the God Who Knows You.
She’s the founder/CEO of AuthorizeMe® Consulting, Coaching, & Editing Firm, and Literary Agency, through which she assists writers toward their publishing goals via private coaching or fun, hands-on seminars.
Sharon hosts two TV shows, Life That Matters, and A View from the Upper Room. And she works as publishing director with HSBN Publishing.
She speaks at various types of conferences, retreats, and services; Sharon is also dedicated to instructing Christian authors and encouraging them toward excellence in the publishing business. She serves as co-director of the West Coast Christian Writers Conference, along with Sarah Sundin.
Visit Sharon: LifeThatMatters.net