We live in a culture where bigger is often equated with better. It’s baked into the way we talk: a bigger bank account, bigger influence, bigger audience. For a writer—especially an emerging one—building a bigger audience feels like the obvious aim. But does bigger always mean better when you’re deciding how to choose the right writers conference for your goals?
There are merits to both large and small events, and going small isn’t the same as thinking small. Here’s why.
My Small-Town Perspective
I live in Oregon City, Oregon, a historic town just south of Portland. After years in bigger cities, my family and I eventually chose to settle back into a smaller community.
That decision mirrors how I’ve learned to choose the right writers conference for my own goals.
My Early Conference Dreams
When I was starting out, I pictured the classic big-city scene: crowded hotels, vast conference floors lined with publisher tables, and world-famous authors rubbing elbows with newcomers.
I found those rooms—in New York, Atlanta, Portland, and Los Angeles—and met some fantastic people. So why, on a cool September morning, did I drive two hours north to a small-town conference in Centralia, Washington?
Because when it comes to choosing the right writers conference for your goals, bigger can be many things—but it isn’t always better.
The Pull of Small Towns
As a kid, my dad and I often drove from Oregon to Seattle to see the Yankees play the Mariners. We always stopped in Centralia, Washington, for a meal at The Country Cousin, a quirky restaurant that served lemonade in Mason jars.
For my dad, those trips connected his New York past with his Northwest present. For me, Centralia became a familiar halfway point between two worlds. Years later, that same little town would host the Southwest Washington Writers Conference, where I discovered the real value of a smaller scale event.
Southwest Washington Writers Conference
I found the Southwest Washington Writers Conference when I began looking for opportunities to teach. After nearly twenty years of attending conferences, I was ready to share what I’d learned—and to keep learning myself.
In 2024, I joined the SWWC faculty. On a crisp September morning, I packed my bag and headed two hours north. Centralia College’s grassy quad and bell tower welcomed me with a classic campus feel. Inside the Walton Science Center, I was greeted with hugs before I even found the coffee.
Writers chatted with writers. Faculty shared notes. That immediate sense of belonging reminded me why choosing the right writers conference for your goals isn’t always about size.
Community in Action
During setup, a volunteer noticed me juggling my laptop and power cord. In minutes, the IT staffer—who’d helped me last year—appeared with the right adapter in his pocket.
Soon I was in front of twenty writers, talking about monsters in literature and film. We swapped favorites, laughed about a typo in my slides, and turned a simple craft session into an animated conversation.
At lunch, I sat with first-time conference-goers and seasoned faculty. We joked about everything from the romance market (here’s a hint, it’s HOT) to Gen Alpha slang. This is what a small conference can offer: true community and direct connection, something that’s easy to lose in a ballroom packed with hundreds.
Key Takeaways for How to Choose the Right Writers Conference for Your Goals
A lot goes into choosing the right writers conference for your goals:
- Location. Can you get there without breaking your budget or your schedule?
- Cost of attendance. Will the experience justify the investment?
- Specialty or focus. Does the conference cover your genre or the skills you want to develop?
- Career fit. Are you seeking craft improvement, networking with agents, or teaching opportunities?
These questions matter more than the size of the event. Bigger isn’t automatically better; bigger is just… bigger. Choose the right writers conference for your goals using a more personal criteria.
An Environment Worth Returning To
After a full day of teaching, I left Centralia both exhausted and energized. That combination is the mark of a great conference for me.
I stopped at the Olympic Club for a beer and ran into another attendee—a prolific romance novelist—who invited me to join her table. Encounters like that remind me why the Southwest Washington Writers Conference will stay on my calendar.
I get more from a day there than I would in a room twice its size with twice the big-name writers. When you’re figuring out how to choose the right writers conference for your goals, focus less on the size and more on the fit.
Final Thoughts On How To Choose The Right Writers Conference For Your Goals
Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned writer, the key is not to chase the biggest conference but to choose the writers conference that aligns with your personal goals. That’s where you’ll find the most growth, the best connections, and the kind of community that keeps you coming back.
Ready To Take The Next Step?
Once you’ve decided which event is right for you, check out my earlier posts on writers conference survival, where I share practical tips for making the most of your time once you’re there.
Blog #1: How To Thrive At A Writers Conference
Blog #2: How To Present At A Writers Conference
Blog #3: How To Network At A Writers Conference
