Being a pro writer doesn’t have to mean emptying out your entire savings account. 

As a writer who loves to learn but is also on a tight budget, I’m always on the lookout for free or cheap resources. I know I’m not the only one out there who doesn’t have a spare $5k sitting around to spend on writing, so that’s why I share these resources with you—and it’s why my blog will always be free!

If you’ve been around the writing world long enough, you’ve probably stopped even glancing at writing conferences because you know they’ll come with a hefty price tag. I get it—I’ve been there.

But did you know that free conferences are one of the best hidden secrets of the writing world?

The Marvel of Online Writing Conferences

If we can thank lockdown for one thing, it’s making online meetings and conferences more visible and accessible. Since 2020, free online writing conferences have been popping up all over the place. Some existed before, but the amount of these events has exploded over the past few years. All you have to do is register for one, follow a link that’s sent to you, and you’re there learning from the pros!

Now, are online conferences exactly like in-person ones? No, of course not, but many do include networking events and workshops that make them comparable. For those who can’t afford to spend hundreds of dollars (plus travel and food expenses) on an in-person conference, this is a great alternative. Another perk is that when conferences are free, you can attend as many as you want! Getting varying perspectives and opinions from multiple sources is so valuable for learning. One person might present character creation a certain way and it won’t make sense to you, but someone else might have a different method that clicks instantly.

Let me be clear: Not every online writing conference is free, but many have a free option. You can usually buy an upgraded pass which might give you additional content or resources and allow you to access the panel replays for a while longer, but to be completely honest, I always feel like I’ve gotten everything I need with the free option. Remember that conferences aren’t about going to every single panel or workshop, but going to the ones you think will be valuable to you. At an in-person conference, you don’t get to attend every panel—so you don’t need to with an online one either, which means the free pass will probably work just fine for you.

Also remember that when workshops are free, there’s always a new one to attend right around the corner. Personally, I remember things better when I take in a little bit of information at once and then do the same again a few weeks later (for example, attending just a few panels from one conference and a few from the next rather than attending every panel at every conference). I’ve tried to attend all the available panels at a conference before, and it’s simply way too much info at once. It’s one of the reasons that in-person conferences are built with overlapping panels: you have to choose which few are most important to you so you remember the most valuable and applicable information.

Why Should I Bother with Writing Conferences?

It’s a valid question. You have to take time out of your schedule, use brainpower to learn, pay attention, take notes, etc. If you’re an advanced writer, you may think there’s no point. But the great thing about conferences is that they’re new every time! You’re not reading a static article but watching someone speak directly to you and others like you. With how many panels these conferences have, there will almost always be at least one thing to learn.

Lifelong Learning

Keep in mind that you will never know everything there is to know about writing. Neither will I; there’s always room for improvement. As Anakin Skywalker once said, “One is never too old to learn.” (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) Writing conferences are one of the best ways to learn because you hear directly from pros in the field, interact with other writers, and choose only the topics that really interest you. Often, I find I learn something I didn’t even know I needed to learn!

Networking

Something unique to conferences is the networking aspect. As writers, we shouldn’t go it alone. We need people to keep us accountable and cheer us on. We need people who write similar content to help us along the way—and conferences are where you can find those people through networking and workshop events.

Fun!

I don’t know about you, but I so enjoy learning about one of my favourite things alongside people who love it just as much as I do! It’s a unique atmosphere where you feel truly “at home” as a writer. Nowhere else will you be surrounded by so many like-minded writers. Simply put, it’s a wonderful experience.

Where Can I Find Free Writing Conferences?

Just last week, the yearly Science Fiction Writers’ Week took place. I unfortunately couldn’t attend live because of an unexpected family situation that kept me busy all week, but I do have the replays to look forward to! And guess what? I didn’t spend a cent.

Finding these writing conferences isn’t always easy; as far as I can tell, no one has created a huge running compilation of all the free writing conferences coming up. But simply googling “free writing conferences” is a good way to start, and so is subscribing to websites about writing. I get emails from all sorts of different writing websites, and 99% of the time, that’s how I discover free conferences, classes, talks, and workshops. You can always find some of the sites I subscribe to on the Resources page, but here are the ones that often host free writing conferences, workshops, etc.:

• Daniel David Wallace
• The Write Practice
• DIYMFA
• Savannah Gilbo
• ProWritingAid—they host Science Fiction Writers’ Week
• AutoCrit—often only for pro members, but they do have some free things to attend

I hope to see you at the next writing conference! If you have any questions, be sure to comment or contact me.

Happy writing!
—E.J.

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