Less than a month after I returned from GRL, and I’m missing the warm San Diego weather (even though it was cloudy and gray much of the time I was there). Or maybe I’m just missing that amazing beach where Venona Keyes and I ran in the mornings. Or maybe it’s just getting back to reality after such a fun conference is just, well, ugh.

So what better thing to do on this cold and rainy autumn morning here in North Carolina than reminisce a bit about GRL? But I know there have been a ton of wrap up posts since the conference ended, so I thought maybe I’d talk about why authors attend conferences like GRL and what both readers and authors can get out of those conferences.

I recently recorded a blog post for the WROTE Podcast with the lovely Amber Kell where we talked about GRL. You can find the podcast here. I won’t touch on all the things we discussed about the conference, but I’ll hit on a few from both the reader and writer perspective.

First, let me say that, hands down, the best part of GRL is the readers! For writers like me who spend days hunched over our computers in our offices writing, getting out and meeting the people who read our books is like Christmas, Hanukah, Thanksgiving, and Labor Day all rolled into one. For me, it’s a complete battery recharge. The fact that someone wants to meet me because I wrote a book they liked? It still blows me away. Meeting my readers gives me a chance to thank them for their support, but it also makes me remember that there are people out there who get what I write. That’s priceless.

As a reader (yes, I’m one of those too!), GRL gives you an opportunity to meet your favorite authors and get to know new ones. I love to call the publishers’ room my “candy shop of doom,” because when I stand in front of all those amazing covers, I pretty much lose my mind and buy everything in sight. Even better? I can have them signed by the authors. And the swag? Candy penises, merman pens, Amber’s dragons, tote bags, cups, even books for free? Hell, I’m there! Add to that the Q&A sessions, readings, dinner with an author, the wonderful parties, nights out on the town, and I’m in seventh heaven.

I’ve had authors ask me if GRL and conferences like it are “worth the money.” My answer is yes, but not for the reasons you might guess. As an author, you will not make the cost of the conference back in book sales. Just not possible, especially if you factor in the cost of the hotel, airfare, food, and the swag. No, the return on your investment is a long-term one.

I’ve already explained that in terms of motivation to write, conferences are terrific. The next best thing about conferences is the networking opportunities. Back when I published my first book more than 5 years ago, I knew nothing about the publishing business. But I took a chance and went to Yaoicon in San Francisco. There I met a bunch of Dreamspinner Press authors. And I asked lots of questions. I learned more about submissions, and I met some of the staff at Dreamspinner Press. That trip probably set me back $700. At least. But what I learned while I was there was priceless, and I still rely upon the connections I made there as a struggling newbie author.

Scared of going? Yeah, I was too. And I still get a little nervous about conferences. But most authors are really good people and are willing to share what they know. Think you’re too shy to get something out of it? All it takes is a little to reach out: just introduce yourself. You’ll find people will take it from there. And if you’re considering GRL in particular, there’s a program that matches seasoned con goers with newbies that is excellent.

Questions? Feel free to email me at shiraanthony@hotmail.com and I’d be happy to answer those I can or find someone who can answer if I can’t. I hope to see you soon at a conference! –Shira

Shira has a brand new book out! A Solitary Man was co-written with Aisling Mancy (aka Cody Kennedy), and is now available at Dreamspinner Press, ARe, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble