Author shares benefits of writers’ conferences with NPC independent authors group

Austin S. Camacho, a mystery and thriller author, spoke at the Independent Authors Jan. 9 meeting at the National Press Club about the professional benefits authors gain by attending writers’ conferences.

Camacho, author of the Hannibal Jones mystery series, is organizer of the annual Creatures, Crimes & Creativity (C3) Writers’ Conference in Maryland, to be held this year Aug. 28-30. He said there are two main benefits for authors and aspiring authors considering attending writers’ conferences -- improving their writing craft by learning from experienced, successful authors; and networking with other same-genre authors who are in various stages of story development and publishing experience.

Camacho said attending writers’ conferences inspires him to write new novels or to improve upon existing projects. “By the time I leave these conferences, I can’t wait to get back to my keyboard,” he said.

He advises conference attendees to review the list of presenters and sessions before going to a conference to determine which sessions would best match their writing and publishing goals. He also recommends that aspiring book authors have their “elevator pitch” rehearsed to share with other conference participants, including other attendees, agents and publishers.

“It’s never been easier to publish a book. It’s never been harder to sell a book,” Camacho said.

Independent authors manage their own publishing businesses rather than relying on agents and traditional publishing houses. For more information on the group, contact Ed Barks at [email protected]. The group’s next meeting will be Thursday, Feb. 13, 9:30-11 a.m., in the McClendon Room.