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Writers’ Conferences Put Authors on the Road to Success

by | Blog, Book Awards, Book Events, Book Fairs, Book Festivals, Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Marketing a Book, Writers Conferences

Writers’ Conferences Put Authors on the Road to Success

By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Communications

Writers Love to Help Fellow Writers – What Better Way to Meet Them Than Writers’ Conferences?

There are several good reasons why writers should invest the time and effort required to attend writers’ conferences.

Attending a writers’ conference only takes a few hours or days at the most, a few bucks, and a little effort to register and arrange travel and lodging, but the payoff can be big.

If the book you are working on is almost finished, attending a writers’ conference gives you a great chance to network with other authors, pitch your book, learn about the major publishing houses, meet book editors and book marketing specialists. If your book is six months or a year from being finished, you can meet people who will give you ideas on shaping your book and give other advice to help you wrap up when you return home.

Or maybe you have been working on your book for a few months and are feeling unsure about whether you really can be a published author. Attending a conference is a good way to get a reality check from book editors or literary agents who can give you a professional opinion on your plot and characters and help you determine whether you are on the right track.

Most important, attending a writers’ conference provides you with a great opportunity to learn about the publishing business by purposeful interaction with insiders. Some conferences offer an opportunity to get honest and helpful professional assessments from book editors that will be more than worth the cost and effort of attending the conference.

Of course, you will want to prepare for any writers’ conference you attend by having a plan of what you want to find out and what you will do while there. You will want to develop an elevator speech pitch of your book that you can deliver in one minute. Have handouts available such as promotional bookmarks or book covers, or a one-page written pitch with website URL, email, and one paragraph book summary.

Now that you are ready, here are some writers’ conferences in the coming weeks and months you should consider attending:

Here are some upcoming writers’ conferences in 2025 for your consideration:

February 6–9, 2025: San Francisco Writers Conference. (Hyatt Regency San Francisco, Embarcadero Waterfront – Immerse yourself in over 20 years of rich literary culture. We’re dedicated to empowering writers by creating opportunities for meaningful connections with publishers, editors, agents, and more.) https://www.sfwriters.org/

February 7–8, 2025: The 2025 Online San Diego Writing Workshop. (Online. A two-day online “How to Get Published” writing event. Writers are welcome to attend virtually from everywhere and anywhere.) https://sandiegowritingworkshop.com/

February 22, 2025: The 2025 Las Vegas Writing Workshop. (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, February 22, 2025: Hampton Inn Tropicana and Event Center, 4975 Dean Martin Drive | Las Vegas, NV 89118.) https://lasvegaswritingworkshop.com/

March 1, 2025: The 2025 South Carolina Writing Workshop. (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, March 1, 2025: DoubleTree by Hilton Charleston Mount Pleasant, 1330 Stuart Engals Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464.) https://southcarolinawritingworkshop.wordpress.com/

March 7–8, 2025: The Online 2025 Texas Writing Workshop. (This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on March 7-8, 2025. In other words, it’s two days full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published.) https://texaswritingworkshop.com/

March 7–8, 2025: North Carolina Writers Workshop. (FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2025: Charlotte Marriott SouthPark, 2200 Rexford Road, Charlotte, NC, 28211 & SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2025: The McKimmon Conference and Training Center at NC State, 1101 Gorman St, Raleigh, NC 27606.) https://carolinawritingworkshops.com/

March 14, 2025: The Alabama Writers Conference (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday, March 14, 2025: Embassy Suites Birmingham, 2300 Woodcrest Place, Birmingham, AL 35206.) https://alabamawritingworkshop.com/

March 15, 2025: The 2025 Writing Workshop of South Florida. (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, March 15, 2025: Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port, 400 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, FL 33004.) https://writingworkshopsouthflorida.com/

March 15, 2025: Atlanta Writing Workshop (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, March 15, 2025 — at the Le Meridien Atlanta Perimeter by Marriott (north central suburbs), 111 Perimeter Center W, Atlanta, GA 30346.) https://atlantawritingworkshop.com/

March 22, 2025: The 2025 Oklahoma Writing Workshop. (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, March 22, 2025: Residence Inn Oklahoma City Airport, 804 S Meridian Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73108.) https://oklahomawritingworkshop.com/

March 22, 2025: The 2025 Chesapeake Writing Workshop. (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, March 22, 2025 — at the Hilton Arlington, 950 North Stafford Street, Arlington, VA 22203.) https://chesapeakewritingworkshops.com/

March 26–29, 2025: The AWP Conference & Bookfair. (Los Angeles Convention Center – The AWP Conference & Bookfair is the essential gathering for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Join thousands of attendees, explore hundreds of events and exhibitors, and immerse in four days of vital literary community and celebration in Los Angeles!) https://s2.goeshow.com/awp/annual/2025/index.cfm

March 28, 2025: The 2025 Connecticut Writing Workshop. (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday, March 28, 2025: Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, 155 Temple St, New Haven, CT 06510.) https://connecticutwritingworkshop.com/

March 29, 2025: The 2025 Boston Writing Workshop. (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, March 29, 2025 — at the Hilton Boston Logan Airport, One Hotel Dr, Boston, MA 02128.) https://thebostonwritingworkshop.wordpress.com/

April 4-5, 2025: The 2025 Ohio Writing Workshop. (ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2025 OWW is an Online Conference, on April 4-5.) https://ohiowritingworkshop.com/

April 5, 2025: Writers Conference of Minnesota (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, April 5, 2025 — at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront, an IHG Hotel, 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55101. (651)292-1900.) https://minnesotawritingworkshop.com/

April 11, 2025: The 2025 Sacramento Writing Workshop. (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday, April 11, 2025: Sacramento Convention Center (SAFE Credit Union Convention Center), 1401 K St, Sacramento, CA 95814.) https://sacramentowritingworkshop.com/

April 11 (Orlando) and April 12 (Tampa): 2025 Florida Writing Workshops. (FRIDAY. APRIL 11, 2025: Crowne Plaza Orlando-Downtown, an IHG Hotel, 304 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32801. SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2025: Hyatt House Tampa Airport / Westshore. 5308 Avion Park Dr, Tampa, FL 33607. (813) 207-9500.) https://floridawritingworkshops.com/

April 25, 2025: Get Published in Kentucky Conference (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday, April 25, 2025 — at the Kentucky International Convention Center, 221 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202.) https://kentuckywritingworkshop.com/

April 26, 2025: Tennessee Writers Workshop (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, April 26, 2025 — at Music City Center, 201 Rep. John Lewis Way South, Nashville, TN 37203.) https://tennesseewritingworkshop.com/

April 26, 2025: Philadelphia Writing Workshop (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, April 26, 2025 — at Drexel University (inside the LeBow College of Business), 3220 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104.) https://philadelphiawritingworkshop.com/

April 26, 2025: Bluegrass Writers Coalition – Conference of Writers (April 26, 2025, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Kentucky State University’s Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm in Frankfort KY.) https://bluegrasswriterscoalition.com/conference/

May 2, 2025: The 2025 Arizona Writing Workshop. (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday, May 2, 2025: Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport North, 3838 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008.) https://arizonawritingworkshop.com/

May 2–3, 2025: The 2025 Washington Writers Conference (May 2-3, 2025, Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville, MD) https://www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/page/the-2025-washington-writers-conference

May 3, 2025: Michigan Writing Workshop (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, May 3, 2025 — at the Embassy Suites Detroit – Livonia/Novi, 19525 Victor Parkway, Livonia, MI 48152.) https://michiganwritingworkshop.com/

May 3, 2025: The 2025 Writing Conference of Los Angeles. (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, May 3, 2025 — at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport, 5711 W. Century Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90045.) https://writingconferenceoflosangeles.com/

May 9–10, 2025: The 2025 Pittsburgh Writing Workshop. (ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2025 PWW is an Online Conference, May 9-10, 2025.) https://pittsburghwritingworkshop.com/

May 10, 2025: Seattle Writers Conference (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, May 10, 2025 — at the Seattle Marriott Bellevue, 200 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004.) https://theseattlewritingworkshop.com/

May 17, 2025: The 2025 Cincinnati Writing Workshop. (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, May 17, 2025: DoubleTree by Hilton Cincinnati-Blue Ash, 6300 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45241.) https://cincinnatiwritingworkshop.com/

May 9, 2025: The 2025 Portland Writing Workshop. (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday, May 9, 2025: Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, 8235 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97220.) https://portlandwritingworkshop.com/

May 15–18, 2025: 38th Annual Pennwriters Conference (Thursday, May 15, 2025, 8:00 AM until Sunday, May 18, 2025, 12:00 PM – Pittsburgh Airport Marriott, Coraopolis, PA 15108) https://pennwriters.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=522048&module_id=378066

June 13-14, 2025: The 2025 California Writing Workshop. (ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2025 CWW is an Online Conference, on June 13-14.) https://californiawritingworkshop.com/

June 21, 2025: The Writing Workshop of Chicago (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, June 21, 2025 — at the Congress Plaza Hotel.) https://chicagowritingworkshop.com/

July 20–25, 2025: Napa Valley Writers Conference (Sunday, July 20 to Friday, July 25, 2025, Napa Valley College, Napa, CA) http://www.napawritersconference.org/

July 25–26, 2025: The 2025 New England Writing Workshop. (ONLINE: Writing Day Workshops plans both in-person and virtual/online conferences. The 2025 NEWW is an Online Conference, on July 25-26.) https://thenewenglandwritingworkshop.com/

July 31 – August 2, 2025: Mendocino Coast Writers Conference (Daytime events will take place at the K8 School – 44261 Little Lake Road. Evening events will take place at Crown Hall – 45285 Ukiah Street, Mendocino, CA) https://mcwc.org/

August 21–24, 2025: Killer Nashville Writers Conference (c/o American Blackguard, Inc., 314 Watercress Drive, Franklin, TN 37064-3234). https://www.killernashville.com/

Select a writers’ conference of interest to you and be prepared to enjoy the benefits of meeting other writers, acquiring knowledge you can use immediately, learn about different genres, find a new market for your book, elevate your professional effectiveness, meet editors, agents and publishers, become inspired and return home energized.

The Bottom Line: Make a commitment to attend at least one writers’ conference this year. You’ll be glad you did!

Make a commitment to attend at least one writers’ #conference this year. You’ll be glad you did! #writersconference #authors #writingcommunity #writerscommunity Click to tweet this article to your friends and followers! 𝕏

About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz

Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it’s their first book or their 15th book. He’s handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few.

Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at https://WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at [email protected] or 734-667-2090 or fill out the form below. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz’s new award winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net.

Would you like help promoting your book?

If so, tell us a little about your book. What is the title? Do you have a publisher? What is the publish date? How many pages is your book? What is the cost? Do you have web site? What is your specific goal I.E., to make money, raise awareness, get the attention of an agent or publisher, sell the story to a movie or TV studio or something else?

Submit the form below with this information and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!


15 Tips for Great Book Cover Design

by | Author Advice, Blog, Book Cover Designers, Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publishing

Tips for Great Book Cover Design

By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Book Marketing

After their book is written and editors sign off on the final rewrite, authors often turn their attention to what will become one of their most agonizing tasks in the entire process – deciding on a book cover design.

One reason the task becomes so daunting and painful is that authors too often wait until the end of the process, instead of nearer the beginning, to think through book cover design.

As a book publicist and book marketer I cannot caution authors enough – do not underestimate the importance of a book cover’s design. Not only do potential book buyers judge a book by its cover but so do members of the media.

I have personally seen a major book reviewer for a large magazine hold a client’s book, run her fingers over the cover and say, “I’ve not heard of this author or publisher, but this book looks very nicely done, tell me more about.” Conversely, I’ve heard a reviewer quickly respond, “We don’t review self-published books,” because the cover screamed cheap!

While we often hear “You can’t judge a book by its cover,” everybody – book buyers, reviewers, media and consumers alike – most certainly do judge a book by its cover.

Here are some important items to consider when making decisions on book cover design:

1. Use a subhead to create more description. If you have a 10-word title, you have not properly named the book in the first place.

2. Check with Google on the words that are most searched on your topic. To do this, type in the word that best describes your book in the search box and then see what the next most important or popular words are in that list. That ranking is very relevant marketing- wise so try to use those words in your title or subtitle.

3. Visit bookstores and look at the covers of all types of books. What catches your eye? Look at the book face and look at the spines. Which ones are readable and why?

4. Will it play on Amazon? Go to Amazon.com, BN.com and search on competitive books in your space. Notice the book covers that catch your eye and the ones that do not. If your cover does not show up well in an Amazon thumbnail, then you are going to lose sales.

5. Contrast. Don’t let your graphic designer get started without keeping contrast in mind. The reason black ink works so well on white paper is because it produces the best contrast possible. Yellow ink on green paper in a small font simply does not work.

6. How does your book look in black and white? Not every publication will be printing it in color.

7. Font size. Many designers are young with great eyesight. But your buyer may not be able to read the tiny font some designers insist upon using. Be practical.

8. The spine. Can you read it from five feet away? If not, neither can browsers in a bookstore.

9. Blurbs. Keep them relevant and short. The best highway billboards are 5-11 words because motorists are driving by at 70 m.p.h. Guess what? Consumers are driving by your book sitting on a table at the same relevant speed. The human mind cannot comprehend too many words at a glance. So, give them short, sweet blurbs. If you are in love with your blurbs, then print them all in full on the last inside pages of the book.

10. Consider including a mention on the cover of a forward written by a famous person. “Forward by Barack Obama” or “Forward by Oprah Winfrey” or “Forward by Best Selling Author John Grisham.”

11. Do not overlook creating content on the back inside flaps because consumers pick up a book after looking at the spine, front cover and back and then open the book to find the price or more information.

12. Print your cover out on a laser printer. Don’t just review your cover on a computer screen which will make it look considerably better. Print it out actual size and make a determination using that printed version.

13. Pictures are worth 1000 words. Use photos and illustrations to describe what would take too long to explain.

14. When choosing a book design ask yourself how the cover will look on your website home page. Consistency and redundancy are important, so you’ll want to use the same design elements on your website that you do on your book cover. For this reason, I suggest using the same designer for your book cover and for your website if possible.

15. Show your cover designs to as many people in your target group of potential readers. Get their reactions and opinions. It costs you nothing and you’ll likely find out something you did not realize before.

The Bottom line: Get involved early in the entire book publishing design process and get at least three creative concepts for the front cover, back cover, and spine. Don’t let it be the ‘last thing’ you do.

And finally, the most important rule in book publishing and marketing – Know Your Reader! All books have a target reader, and, in all genres, there are varying degrees of readers. Targeting the reader who is most likely to purchase your book is critical. Authors who know the demographics of their readers are equipped to assemble the fonts and graphics best able to grab the reader’s eye and instantly convey the message that “this book is for you.”

When you work with your graphic designer on the book covers and spine, your chances of success are greatly increased. If your designer does not welcome your participation, hire another designer.

While we often hear “You can’t judge a book by its #cover,” everybody – #book buyers, reviewers, media and consumers alike – most certainly do judge a book by its cover. Click to tweet this article to your friends and followers! 𝕏

About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz

Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it’s their first book or their 15th book. He’s handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few.

Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at https://WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at [email protected] or 734-667-2090 or fill out the form below. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz’s new award winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net.

Would you like help promoting your book?

If so, tell us a little about your book. What is the title? Do you have a publisher? What is the publish date? How many pages is your book? What is the cost? Do you have web site? What is your specific goal I.E., to make money, raise awareness, get the attention of an agent or publisher, sell the story to a movie or TV studio or something else?

Submit the form below with this information and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!