Confessions of a Writers Conference Junkie

We are coming upon the time of the year I call “conference season,” when most writers conferences are held. I have been attending these events for nearly 20 years now, and I have a confession to make.

My name is Carlton Hughes, and I am a conference junkie.

That was hard to admit, but confession is the first step to healing. Here are some “symptoms” to see if you, too, are addicted to writers conferences:

–You save money for months prior to the event—not for tuition or books but for treats and drinks at the coffee shop.

–With each new clothing purchase, you think, “could this be worn to the conference?”

–You separate your conference clothes in the closet, so you don’t wear them too much or stain them prior to the conference.

–You keep checking (and checking and checking) the conference website day after to day to see if faculty and classes have been posted.

–Once faculty and classes are posted, you religiously study the lists to make your choices, keeping in mind that coffee shop/hang out time trumps everything.

–You keep in touch with your writer friends during the regular part of the year, talk about the conference, and make sure they’re going to attend.

–You make plans with these friends to spend as much time together in the coffee shop (or the lobby of the hotel) during the event.

–You pack your Ziploc bags early so you can stash your extra macaroons to bring home (Specifically for the Blue Ridge Conference).

I’ll let you figure out which of these things are “tongue-in-cheek” and which ones are serious. I have said it many times before and will say it again: RELATIONSHIPS=the most important thing at a writers conference. Contracts and assignments are fine, but people will stick by you through thick and thin.

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb.