Are you worried about the decline in the Catholic literary culture? Would you like to be part of the solution, but don’t know how to get past “aspiring writer” status?

Christmas 2012 I received the most amazing, wonderful, fantabulous gift from Liguori Publications: A copy of the book cover for my first book.  And I can say with absolute certainty that if it weren’t for the Catholic Writers Guild, and specifically the CWG’s annual online conference, that book would never have seen light of day.

I can also say with confidence that I’m not the only writer who’s had this experience.  Today I’d like to tell you my story, and I’d encourage you to pass it on to aspiring writers, and let them know about our completely free, open-to-the-public online conference coming up March 10-21, 2014.

My Story

In 2008, I was one of a zillion anonymous amateur bloggers, writing for the pure fun of it.  I’d done some in-house writing work professionally, but I didn’t consider myself a “real writer”.  In my internet reading one day, I stumbled on an announcement for this online conference thing by this Catholic writing group.  Well, it was free, and I could do it from home while my kids watched TV or something, so why not check it out?  I registered under an internet handle, and jumped in.

Wow.  What a world.  Classes on the business of writing, including a stern rebuke from one pro: “Quit using internet handles and let people know your real name — the one that will be on the spine of your book!”  I came to my first online conference with all the mistakes and misconceptions of someone who knew nothing about the publishing industry.  Class after class set me straight.  I left with a to-do list of next steps on my still to-be-determined writing career — and the confidence that I could indeed have such a thing, if that was what I really wanted to do.

I kept coming back to the online conference each year. I registered under my real name, and trained my husband that for one week each spring, he’d be eating frozen pizza and discovering the weird things the kids did in the backyard while I was busy at my conference.  (One year the kids dug a four-foot pit while I was busy moderating a chat session.  We finally filled it last year.  Writing success tip #387: Marry someone who is very, very patient with your eccentric lifestyle.) At first I was just another conference participant; after a few years,  I joined the CWG and helped out as a volunteer as well.

When I finally had a book to sell, it was my friends from the Catholic Writers Guild who critiqued my work, introduced me to could-be publishers, and kept me on track during the long, discouraging slog from first-draft to finished-work. It was the writing and marketing skills I learned at the online conference that allowed me to make the move from “just for fun” to serious writing.  I’m pleased to say that when I turned in my final manuscript to my editor at Liguori, she had very few changes to make. That’s only the case because the CWG put me through an intensive program of rigorous training at the online workshops, including the importance of listening to your editor early in the writing process.

Let me also point out, because people ask about this: My CWG friendships weren’t built up overnight.  There isn’t some “inner circle” in the writing world you magically step into one day — there are a zillion little writing circles. For CWG members, through time and participation, each member can meet the other authors who just seem to “click” personality-wise, and form a personal support group.  I got to know other writers by attending the online conference year after year, participating in workshops, volunteering, and eventually getting involved in the other CWG projects.  Even with all the work I do here on the blog,  I made more brand new CWG friends at the live conferences these past two summers — people I never would have known only via the forums and blog.

Is the online writers conference worth it?  I recommend it if you:

  • Want to improve your writing.
  • Want to learn how publishing works, and what it takes to get your book or article in print.
  • Need ideas on how to market your blog or book, or how to jump-start a stalled writing career.
  • Want to meet fun people who share your passion for writing.

And if you’re Catholic, the CWG’s conference is a chance to do all that in a environment that not only supports your faith, but helps you make your work — religious or secular — better serve Christ.

Your turn: Has the Online Catholic Writers Conference helped you?  Speak up and share your story!  And if you’ve never attended a conference and have questions, ask away.

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Jennifer Fitz is the author of The How-to Book of Evangelization: Everything You Need to Know But No One Ever Taught You from Our Sunday Visitor and Classroom Management for Catechists from Liguori Publications. She writes about all things evangelization and discipleship at jenniferfitz.substack.com. For updates on where else to find her, visit JenniferFitz.com.

4 Replies to “From Amateur to Author: True Stories from the Online Writers Conference”

  1. A four foot pit?

    I’d watch out for those kids. They didn’t bury anybody, I trust.

    Tell me about the on-line pitches to publishers. Is that a one on one or does the whole world look on as I fumble through a presentation? I’ve done live pitches. Is this very different.

    Glad to hear your piece of history. Hope the snow is all gone.

    God Bless,

    Don

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