Blog

A Dollar Wisely Spent
Tuesday, December 28, 2021 by Cindy Sproles

Writers live on pennies. If we’re lucky – dimes. So when conferences roll around, it’s our eyes that roll at the pennies we spend. No one will argue that attending a conference is expensive. It is also the one place you will latch on, not only to your dream but also to the necessary learning needed to excel as a writer.

The more you dive into the writing industry, the more you see dollar signs raise, and at times, it’s hard to know when or where we should spend our money. The expenses of being a writer are like a scene in the Mary Poppins movie. The one where the older woman sits on a bench feeding the birds. She sings, “Feed the birds. Tuppences a bag.” (Two pennies). If only tuppences were what we were looking at, right?

It’s important to address some of these expenses and help you decide if this is something you need now or later. As a conference director, I get the importance of this question. Since we are launching into a new year, let’s look at the expenses writers can incur.

Conferences – A conference costs from $100 - $1200. There are tons of variables included in this cost: the venue, time of year, conference length, and faculty number. Writers have to look at the options available and see what is right for them. A conference should be the number one thing you invest in your career. At conferences, you learn the craft of writing, network with other writers, meet editors, agents, and publishers. You’ll learn about the business of writing, and attending a conference will bring you a refined look at your writing career by helping you find your calling, set your goals, and receive encouragement. Individuals have to look at their finances and decide how much they want to invest in their careers. It’s a personal decision, but I have yet to regret spending any money to attend a conference. The payback is immediate.  **** 4 stars

Conference CDs or MP3s – This is the purchase of extended learning and keeps on giving. If you attend a conference, make every effort to come home with the recordings of the classes. You will have this learning forever. Conference recording costs will vary from $1.99 per class to $200 for the entire conference and everywhere in between. I have recordings from every conference that I continually listen to in my car, at my desk, on my phone. My skills continue to grow because I purchased and use these recordings over and over through the years. ****4 stars

Paid Critiques – Those 15-minute appointments are great for you to meet and network with editors, agents, and publishers. If you are on a tight budget, it’s not something you have to have unless you have work ready to be pitched. If you have a solid piece of work that is completed or near completion, then a paid critique is great. You can choose the person you may want to pitch the work to, let them look over your work, spend some in-depth time with it, and then with you. This is when a paid critique pays off. You have a prime opportunity to allow a professional to take a look at your work. Not only do you learn from it but you might catch a break on publication or at least submission. ***3 stars.

Mentoring – Mentoring is valuable for those who have a strong work in progress and need some guidance. Mentorspixabay.com & leoncpaulo are generally well-seasoned authors or editors whose ability and information is well worth your time and money. If you have a work in progress with some chops and a teachable spirit, a mentor can be the icing on the cake in helping you cut through to a publisher or agent. Their years of experience will help you with tricks of the trade you will only find in this one-on-one situation. Mentoring costs from $50 -$600 ***3 stars.

Editing – Before I send anything to my agent or publisher, I invest in a content editor to go through my manuscript and be sure it is as clean as it can be. The less work the editors and publishers have on a project translates as money saved for them and a great reputation for you. Editing falls under your work ethic and how much you are willing to do to make your work as “publishable” as it can be. Be responsible and do your homework. Editors are a dime a dozen, but reputable editors are found through Christian Pen resources or conference faculty, agents, or editors. Spend your money wisely by choosing an editor with a solid background. Do your homework. ****4 stars

Self-publishing – This is a luxury not a necessity. Spend your money learning the craft then publish. Who knows, you may land a traditional contract. *1 star

Contests – Unless they are national book contests, they translate into a nice pat on the back. Good encouragement. They rarely, if ever, bring an unpublished writer a contract. A published author will get name recognition and that is worth the sales generated from a contest.  Choose a couple, enter, and learn to present your work. ***2 stars

There is an old saying, “If a person wants something, they’ll find a way to get it. And it’s true. Begin by saving $5 a week. Just take it out of your wallet and drop it in a jar. $5 a week. Oh, and drop that loose change in there too. We once saved all our loose change and paid for a week at the beach. Those dimes and quarters add up quickly. Give up Starbucks two days a week and save $10. The point is, save. Plan. Take a small portion of your income tax return (if you get one) rather than wasting it. Invest in yourself. It’s a good habit that will pay in the future.

 

Photos courtesy of Pixabay.com, leoncpaulo, & PublicDomainPhotos

Share This Blog:


Comments

Edwina E Cowgill From Newnan GA At 12/29/2021 8:57:34 AM

Excellent suggestions! Thanks for the information.

Mountain Breeze Writer


Previous Posts

Allergic to Exercise
Cindy Sproles

10/18/2024

Rose By Any Other Name...
Cindy Sproles

10/15/2024

Never Look Back
Cindy Sproles

8/2/2024

Words Have Power
Cindy Sproles

7/12/2024

Those Hallmark Holidays
Cindy Sproles

5/12/2024

Deep and Wide or Sick and Tired?
Cindy Sproles

12/18/2023

What Would Jesus Do?
Cindy Sproles

11/10/2023

Chick, Chick, Chick
Cindy K. Sproles

9/30/2023

In My Inperfections
Cindy K. Sproles

8/27/2023

By the Hair of my Chinny, Chin, Chin
Cindy Sproles

7/21/2023

What Dumb Cluck!
Cindy K. Sproles

6/29/2023

Where to Draw the Line?
Cindy Sproles

4/27/2023

Submit! ME?
Cindy Sproles

4/14/2023

Why Are People So Mean?
Cindy Sproles

3/30/2023

I'm Getting Old
Cindy K. Sproles

3/3/2023

To Hear or Not to Hear
Cindy Sproles

1/28/2023

Happy New Year, Happy New Year News
Cindy Sproles

1/9/2023

Happy Neuter Year
Cindy Sproles

12/31/2022

Facing Reality - Aging Parents, Aging Children
Cindy Sproles

12/30/2022

Word of the Year for 2023
Cindy Sproles

12/24/2022

My Grown Up Christmas List - Three Things to Adulting the Right Way
Cindy Sproles

12/13/2022

Weebles Wobble but They Don't Fall Down
Cindy Sproles

12/6/2022

The Man In the Middle
Cindy Sproles

11/24/2022

Diversity is More Than Color
Cindy K. Sproles

11/14/2022

Love in Motion
Cindy Sproles

11/7/2022

Deadbeat or Deadline
Cindy Sproles

10/31/2022

Backstory - The Reader Doesn't Care!
Cindy Sproles

10/18/2022

The Color of Scared - The Final in Seeking Spiritual Renewal
Cindy Sproles

10/14/2022

The Color of Scared - Second of Three in Seeking Spiritual Freedom from Fear
Cindy Sproles

10/9/2022

The Color of Scared - First of Three in Seeking Spiritual Freedom from Fear
Cindy Sproles

10/3/2022

Fog, Mist, Morning
Cindy Sproles

9/29/2022

From a Rooster to a Hen
Cindy Sproles

9/24/2022

Writing from the Hip
Cindy Sproles

9/19/2022

Soggy Scrubby and the Long Goodbye
Cindy Sproles

9/13/2022

Wramping Up for ACWC
Cindy Sproles

9/10/2022

Rest Not, Want MORE!
Cindy Sproles

9/3/2022

Reality for Me
Cindy Sproles

8/17/2022

The Truth in Publishing
Cindy Sproles

8/11/2022

Beyond
Cindy Sproles

8/4/2022

Working with an Editor
Cindy Sproles

7/7/2022

Two on the Way
Cindy Sproles

2/26/2022

The Party's Overrrrr!
Cindy Sproles

2/22/2022

2022 Encouragement for the Writer
Cindy Sproles

1/4/2022

Every Day is New
Cindy Sproles

1/1/2022

Beginning Anew (An Eldercare Note)
Cindy Sproles

12/31/2021

Five Ways to Kill Your Publishing Opportunity
Cindy Sproles

12/30/2021

A Dollar Wisely Spent
Cindy Sproles

12/28/2021

Silent Night
Cindy Sproles

12/25/2021

Back Pocket Projects
Cindy Sproles

12/21/2021

Things are Back on Track - I think!
Cindy Sproles

12/18/2021

Wonky is Hard
Cindy Sproles

4/25/2021

Present Yourself Approved and Professional
Cindy Sproles

1/28/2021

Integrity - An Authors Valued Trait
Cindy Sproles

1/8/2021

Homonyms – Did You Sea/See Them Their/There?
Cindy Sproles

1/8/2021

Writer Self-Care - Welcome 2021
Cindy Sproles

1/4/2021

Hope in a New Year
Cindy Sproles

1/1/2021

One More Christmas Thought - Taken from ChristianDevotions.US blog
Cindy Sproles

12/25/2020

A Christmas Saga - Joy in the Season
Cindy Sproles

12/24/2020

When Writing Grows Hard
Cindy Sproles

12/22/2020

Permission to Quit - No Way
Cindy Sproles

12/18/2020

The Power of the Pen
Cindy Sproles

12/15/2020

The Good, The Bad, and the Memoir
Cindy Sproles

12/11/2020

The Immeasurable Power in You
Cindy Sproles

12/8/2020

Scratch It Till It Bleeds
Cindy Sproles

12/5/2020

Closing Up Shop - Renting or Selling Our Parent's Home
Cindy Sproles

9/5/2020

Humility in Writing
Cindy Sproles

7/7/2020

Let it Percolate
Cindy Sproles

7/3/2020

Mentoring - A Wise Choice
Cindy Sproles

6/29/2020

Divorce My Words?
Cindy Sproles

6/23/2020

Icy Self-Talk Will Freeze Your Writing
Cindy Sproles

6/19/2020

The Power in You
Cindy Sproles

6/16/2020

Waiting
Cindy Sproles

6/12/2020

Who Really Sells Your Books
Cindy Sproles

6/9/2020

Social Media When You Aren't Social Media Minded
Cindy Sproles

4/20/2020

What Really Is Important
Cindy Sproles

4/12/2020

In the Midst of Chaos
Cindy Sproles

3/17/2020

The Heart of God
Cindy Sproles

2/14/2020

Writing in a Pickle
Cindy Sproles

1/30/2020

The Adult Day Care Alternative
Cindy Sproles

1/23/2020

Social Media Blitz
Cindy Sproles

1/19/2020

The Joys of Aging
Cindy Sproles

12/30/2019

The Reality of Who We Are?
Cindy Sproles

12/22/2019

Publishing Trends
Cindy Sproles

11/30/2019

Be Thankful ANYWAY
Cindy Sproles

11/28/2019

Writing Your Mission Statement
Cindy Sproles

11/19/2019

Perseverance to Write
Cindy

11/16/2019

Common Sense Tips for When You Write
Cindy Sproles

11/9/2019

The Battle is Fought
Cindy

10/15/2019

Twelve Tidbits of Wisdom from Top Christian Writers
Cindy Sproles

10/5/2019

Pray with Fire
Cindy Sproles

10/3/2019

The Easy In
Cindy Sproles

9/24/2019

The Art of Self-Editing
Cindy Sproles

9/10/2019

Questions, Questions
Cindy Sproles

9/6/2019

15-Minute Appointments - Important Networking
Cindy Sproles

9/3/2019

Don't Close Your Eyes - Bob Hostetler
Cindy Sproles

2/5/2019

Love Your Faculty
Cindy Sproles

10/17/2018

Forging Ahead after Rejection
Cindy Sproles

7/17/2018

cindysproles.com Privacy Policy
Cindy Sproles

6/4/2018

Closing Up Shop - Guiding Seniors to Letting Go
Cindy Sproles

4/9/2018

Publishing Naysayers
Cindy Sproles

3/16/2018

In Prayer - I Write
Cindy Sproles

3/3/2018

Keep Them Reading
Cindy Sproles

1/12/2018

Encouraged - Even When . . .
Cindy Sproles

1/2/2018

Christmas Tears
Cindy Sproles

12/18/2017

Holiday Elder Care - Be an Elder Elf
Cindy Sproles

11/12/2017

Grateful for a Dream I Didn't Know I Had
Cindy Sproles

11/9/2017

Keep Them Reading
Cindy Sproles

11/1/2017

Chicken Soup for the Soul - Writer Call Out
Cindy Sproles

10/27/2017

Five Ways to Assure Your Work will Find the Slush Pile
Cindy Sproles

10/24/2017

23rd Psalm Revisited
Cindy Sproles

10/21/2017

Contentment in Writing
Cindy Sproles

10/19/2017

5 Common Sense Tips to Better Writing
Cindy Sproles

10/10/2017

Overshadowed
Cindy Sproles

8/21/2017

Chicken Soup for the Soul Callout - Stories about Love
Cindy Sproles

8/21/2017

Five Keys to Overcoming Rejection
Cindy Sproles

8/12/2017

Writing Call Out - Chicken Soup for the Soul
Cindy Sproles

8/10/2017

When Words of Encouragement Wane
Cindy Sproles

6/28/2017

Writing Truth with Love
Cindy Sproles

1/13/2017

Oh To Be A Writer
Cindy Sproles

1/4/2017

Why Write?
Cindy Sproles

1/1/2017

Scammed
Cindy Sproles

6/21/2016

The Pain of Unsolicited
Cindy Sproles

3/9/2016

Not Alone: A Literary and Spiritual Companion for Those Confronted with Infertility and Miscarriage
Cindy Sproles

11/21/2015

Thankful Despite . . .
Cindy Sproles

11/20/2015

Stepping Up to Na-No-Wri-Mo
Cindy Sproles

11/16/2015

The Gift of No Gifts
Cindy Sproles

11/2/2015

Writers Be Encouraged
Cindy Sproles

10/15/2015

Keep ‘Em Reading – It’s the Writer’s Responsibility
Cindy Sproles

8/13/2015

Saying Goodbye
Cindy Sproles

7/17/2015

Overcoming the Fear of Writing Failure
Cindy Sproles

7/8/2015

Making the Move – Home to Assisted Living
Cindy Sproles

6/17/2015

I Kid You Not
Cindy Sproles

6/6/2015

Hearing the Call to Foster – Renee McCausey
Cindy Sproles

1/13/2015

Throw Out the Crutches
Cindy Sproles

1/10/2015

So You Were Asked to Be A Beta Reader?
Cindy Sproles

1/10/2015

REJECTIONS – Aaughhh!
Cindy Sproles

1/5/2015

The Bachelor – Stephanie Reed
Cindy Sproles

12/14/2014

The Making of a Servant
Cindy Sproles

11/30/2014

Miracle in a Dry Season Review – Yvonne Lehman
Cindy Sproles

8/27/2014

Write Anyway
Cindy Sproles

8/26/2014

World Blog Tour – Catching Up with Cindy Sproles
Cindy Sproles

7/22/2014

The Progression of Life
Cindy Sproles

7/17/2014

Instrumental Writing Helps – Aaron Gansky
Cindy Sproles

7/4/2014

The Question Saga
Cindy Sproles

6/29/2014

Defy the Night – REVIEW
Cindy Sproles

4/28/2014

When the Work is Hard to Do
Cindy Sproles

4/1/2014

My Heart Belongs to Him
Cindy Sproles

2/14/2014

Review of The Vicar’s Wife
Cindy Sproles

2/2/2014

The In on Self Publishing – Part 2
Cindy Sproles

12/29/2013

The In on Self Publishing – Part 1
Cindy Sproles

12/26/2013

In a Pickle
Cindy Sproles

10/1/2013

Bigger and Better
Cindy Sproles

9/27/2013

Putting SOCIAL back in Media
Cindy Sproles

8/10/2013

After the Conference Ends…
Cindy Sproles

8/8/2013

Here a Tweak, There a Tweak, Everywhere a Tweak, Tweak
Cindy Sproles

8/2/2013

Can You Hear Me Now?
Cindy Sproles

7/23/2013

Golden Years, Cherished Moments
Cindy Sproles

3/20/2013

Broken Heart Syndrome
Cindy Sproles

9/26/2012

What About Our Elders
Cindy Sproles

8/24/2012

A Minute – A Lifetime
Cindy Sproles

8/10/2012

Water, Water – Who’s Got the Water
Cindy Sproles

7/31/2012