I am blessed to live near a variety of writers’ conferences that happen in my area — The well attended Surrey Writers’ Conference, the Burnaby Writers’ Conference, the Maple Ridge Writers’ Conference.

I’ve attended all three at various times and the Surrey Writers’ Conference is the most widely attended because writers, editors and publishers from all over North America offer workshops, blue pencil sessions and a chance to pitch your book with an editor or publisher. This is a great conference, but it’s pricey, so if your aim is to pitch yourbook, be prepared with your elevator pitch and a polished synopsis. 

The Burnaby Writers’ Conference has lesser know presenters, but I’ve still come away with valuable tips at a tenth of the cost of the Surrey event.

The Maple Ridge event put on by Golden Ears Writers, uses a similar format to the other conferences. There are workshops as well as blue pencil opportunities. The conference is well presented and organized. As an added bonus, it was free the last time I attended.

Choose wisely however, as the majority of authors don’t earn much, so we need to invest our money where it will benefit us most.

Top photo — Debra Purdy Kong with her many mystery novels

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