You’ve Gone to Conference. You’re Home. Now What?

by Rachel Hauck

In my early days of conference going, I came home jazzed with ideas, energized
from time spent with friends and fellow authors. I had notes from the workshops and
was always inspired by the keynote speaker.

In those way-back-days, the publishing world was fairly static. For an author to
publish, he or she worked with an agent and/or editor. Conference workshops were
almost exclusively craft oriented. Books were published by publishers with a sales force
pitching to distributors and bookstores.

Then came the digital age. Little by little the book landscape changed. Publishers merged or went away completely. In the Christian world, some stopped publishing fiction altogether.

The big kid on the block, Amazon, made a way for authors to publisher on their
own. Apple and Barnes & Noble joined the digital publishing race. Distribution sites like Draft2Digital opened for books to reach multiple venues.

Next, audio joined the publishing economy, along with subscription services for
thousands of stories.

Conferences popped up focused on marketing and navigating the world of
Amazon or Facebook ads. Dozens of coaches and teachers, editors, and marketers
offered their services for a fee. Newsletter sites sprang up, promising to deliver our
stories to thousands of readers. Goodreads and BookBub became review behemoths
along with Amazon.

For the author struggling to find their way into traditional publishing, this progress
was a huge boon. Authors like Amanda Hocking, Colleen Hoover, and Hugh Howey came
on the scene. John Locke became one of the first millionaires—“millies”—of self-
publishing.

Social media changed. Politics and culture changed. Authors not only needed to
learn how to write a good story, but how to design memes or marketing material. We
had to become marketers as well as authors. (In my Journalism school coursework,
not one marketing class was ever suggested.)

“Okay, Rachel, where are you going with this? Is this your idea of an after-
conference peptalk?”

Well, yes. Be comfortable with the changing world. Once we think we have
algorithms figured out, they change. But I believe over time, things will even out, and
every author will find their footing in the wild west of publishing.

So here’s some takeaways for you: ACFW offered a variety of workshops
designed for the modern storyteller. Consider buying the recordings of classes you
couldn’t attend.

Journal what inspired you about the conference. What were things that stood out
to you? Set goals for the rest of the year.

Did you get a proposal request from an editor or agent? Polish it up. Send it in as
soon as possible Don’t wait.

Did you make connections? Send a follow-up email or note. Don’t be afraid to
ask questions or for advice.

Avoid the comparison trap. “I’ll never be as good as …” You be you!

Avoid the temptation toward despair. “How will I ever do this?” I’ll tell you: one
day at a time.

Avoid procrastination. Of all the inspiration you collected at conference, choose
one or two ideas that really resonated and get going. Do you need a writing schedule?
Set one and do it. Do you need to practice your Canva techniques? Start making
memes. Did you write down a craft book to read? Do it.

Above all, have hope in this—readers want a great story. Deliver that and there’s
a good chance they’ll become your fans. Trust God with the gift and talent He’s given
you.

Go write something brilliant.

Rachel

Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall
Street Journal bestselling author and a graduate of the Ohio State University (Go
Bucks!) with a degree in Journalism. She and her husband live in sunny east coast
Florida. Find Rachel at www.rachelhauck.com.