Why attend a writing conference?

Two weeks ago, I attended the Catholic Writers Guild conference near Chicago. I’d gone in 2024, enabling me to meet people I had only interacted with online through the Guild, particularly within my critique group.

Allison and I each with our Book Ones! Allison flew in from Washington state to attend for the first time!

Since I had gone just the year before, and it was located farther from the airport this year (meaning I would have to take an Uber), I had told myself I probably wouldn’t go this t...