I attended the Chicago Spring Fling conference last weekend with Supers author Amy Knupp, and I can heartily recommend the con to any author, whether you’re published, on the cusp, or a newbie. The hotel was great–I would love to have that bed in my house! The conference coordinators put on a fabulous event, with a good range of workshops, a multi-author event, a bookfair, raffle for literacy, chocolate reception, pizza party, and a gala to top it off.
Think mini-RWA con, and you’ve got a good picture of the Spring Fling. The workshops were good and the two I attended were worth the price of the con.
But I felt the biggest bonus was meeting new people. First there was getting to talk with friends I don’t see often–like Cindy Kirk from Nebraska who attended the con and sat between me and Amy Knupp at the signing. She’ll tell you she’s the rose between two thorns, but don’t believe it. 
Then Liz Kreger and Edie Ramer drove over on Sunday to lunch with me and Amy. That was an especially nice roundup to the con.
But I must also include the fabulous Barbara Vey from Publishers Weekly, who did the mini videos of us in the hallway. And meeting Dani–a voracrious reader who I’ve met via the net. She made my signing a huge success, and made me feel great to boot. There’s a pix of us on my website.
Through Amy, I met Tasha Hacaga, an unpublished author who will surely be published very soon. She was really great to hang with and helped us close down the bar. And, I had the chance to visit with Harlequin Supers editor Victorian Curran, who is really a fun person to hang out with. I have nothing on her desk, and nothing in the works for, but it was simply great fun to meet her.
And that’s basically the mindset I have going to a conference. Take the vital workshops now. Open your mind to new experiences, like on the spot videos. Embrace meeting new people. And don’t forget the industry professionals are people too, who enjoy simply talking to writers about stuff other than writing for a change.
Anything you’d like to add to the way you make a conference work for you?
It was my first Spring Fling and I agree that it was a great conference. BTW, there’s more videos coming. I’ve sent them in to PW and they should post them soon. Great meeting you!
Have fun. I have a blast when I go to conferences, some more so than others depending upon the mindset of the people who are there. I feel for the vibe in everyone around me and go with it. More important, I go with the attitude that I’m here to support my fellow writers and to have a good time with them. I swear it’s like I’m fangirl instead of published author and I love it!
Oh, and speaking of Chicago and conferences, guess where I am?
Jan, I’ve only been to one, and you were there too,
. I had such a great time, and really took it as a chance to network. I caught a few workshops but the interaction with other writers was the biggest plus for me, as well as meeting some agents and editors face to face.
Jan, I love the smaller conferences too, although I haven’t made it to one in a couple of years. I make National, but the smaller ones have such a great vibe too. Spring fling sounds fun. I want to go to Edie and Liz’s Chapter one in Wisconsin next year. Now, that would be fun.
I was at the Spring Fling 2 years ago, and I agree they throw a fabulous conference. Wish I could have gone this year, but it’s too close to WisRWA’s. LaDonna, it will be terrific to see you there next year!
When I’m at a conference, I feel energized. I’m with Michelle that interaction with other writers is the biggest plus.
Hi Jan!
I found my way here via your website – I’ll definitely add it to my favorites list! It was so great to meet you this weekend too – I think we had the best time of anyone else there. It was really hard to come back to a regular life after having so much fun. Getting out of bed Sunday morning was a challenge – I can’t believe you and Amy looked so put together after our late night. I was tempted to schlep through the hotel in my jammy pants.
I love your comments on keeping an open mind when going to a conference. Very, very good advice. I’d add remembering you only need to keep a few gems. Trying to hold on to more than that can make you crazy.
Have a super fantastic day!
Tasha
Spring Fling sounds fantastic, Janette. If I wasn’t going to San Fran this year….
I think you summed up a very healthy approach to conferences. The open mind is KEY.
The trick to the last day of conference/day you leave: get a nice pair of pajamas that look like lounge pants/yoga pants, so you can TRAVEL in them.
I loved going to the Spring Fling in the past. I’m just bummed that I couldn’t swing it this year. Maybe next time.
It was terrific seeing you and Amy, Jan. And I agree … conferences are what you make of them. Sometimes smaller ones are better because they’re so much more relaxed and intimate.
Oh, thanks for the update, Barbara. It was wonderful to meet and visit with you.
Marcia, I agree about the fangirl part. I go as an author, period. Meeting the “big names” is often a treat, and it certainly was this time. It’s good to see that some remember how to smile at strangers they pass.
Yep, it’s the same for me, Michelle. I only regret we didn’t have more time to spent together. So we’ll make sure to include that next time.
LaDonna, this was my first small conference, so any others I attend will be judged by this one–a tall order to fill, I’m thinking. I was torn between this one and the WisRWA con, but the next job pretty much decided it for me.
I wish you could’ve swung this one too, Edie, but at least I got to see you and Liz again for lunch. I don’t know as I felt energized, or more assured I was heading down the right bunny trail.
Hey Tasha!
Glad you found me here. It was great to hang out with you–seriously. You have a “voice” that’s going to take you far, and I loved doing the video with you. Impromptus are a blast. And thanks for thinking we looked together, because we stayed up yakking until 3 am. I’m glad my head stayed on my shoulders, lol. We’ll all have to hook up again someday.
Oh, it was, Amy. If you can swing it, put the Spring Fling on your con schedule. I’m a blue jeans girl, and was mighty glad I could slap them on for the luncheon with Liz and Edie, and Amy, and the flight home.
Liz, that’s exactly right–some smaller cons are better because they are more relaxed and give authors of all stages of their career a chance to get acquainted. I wished you could’ve made it, but was so glad we could arrange a meet afterward anyway.