It's Almost Conference Time! (Five Reasons to Attend SCWC)

What happened to January?
Seriously, I blinked, I marched, and it was over... Great experience, and it was heartening to see how many young (and older) people really care what is happening to our country. You know I don't normally post about politics here, but nothing about the current state of affairs in this country of ours is NORMAL anymore.
So, let me just say that whatever you are moved to do in support of your country—whatever country you live in—get up and do it! Call, write, be prepared to vote. And maybe try to help someone else get ready to vote. Here in the U.S., it's less than two years until mid-term elections, and there will be a lot at stake (again).

Now, it's February and time to get ready to teach at the Southern California Writers Conference here in San Diego. As always, I look forward to the long President's Day weekend with anticipatory glee (as RR would say).
I've written a few posts with reasons why I advise writers to attend this conference, but it is such an important decision, so I'll remind you of a few:
1. To meet your tribe! This is perhaps the most important reason of all; we all need people in our life that "get" us and "get" our writing; you can find them at SCWC!
2. To hobnob with industry professionals. Where else can you belly up to the bar—or share morning coffee—with agents and editors and successful authors? (Too many conferences are mass affairs with an unspoken caste system where the pros all hang out together and you never actually meet anyone except first-timers who are as lost and overwhelmed as you are.) SCWC is kept to a manageable number of attendees so you'll actually meet and connect with people who you can learn from or share with.
3. To get expert eyes on your work. All too often, authors publish when their first or second draft is done, not knowing the book isn't ready to be published. Whether you submit your writing in advance or take some pages to read and critique meetings or rogue sessions, you'll learn what is working—and what isn't.
4. To learn what is happening right NOW in this fast-changing industry. With workshops on getting published & self-publishing, plus marketing & promotion for your published book, and speakers and an agents panel, there's something for everyone. I'll be bringing a client who has a fine novel just out that we're working on promoting, so I'll learn a lot, too. (There are also plenty of workshops on craft, don't worry.)
5. It's so darn fun! We writers all need to get out from behind our desks and socialize once in a while. And who doesn't want to hang out with a talented, inspiring, upbeat group of creative souls right now?
Hope to see you there—it isn't too late to get the "Early Bard" discount, by the way.
hasta pronto!