What's on Your Conference Calendar?

 
Recently I've been planning my travels for next year- specifically the conferences I'd like to attend.
I didn't go to anything this past year. It was definitely a help to the budget but I felt a bit like the girl in the shabby dress with the cinder smudge on her nose. And I don't even have a fairy godmother who could show up and "poof" me to New York!

Conferences are wonderful things. And not only for writer's. I've been in other professions and I've always loved seeing a new city, meeting other people who share an interest, learning stuff, networking and laughing over a meal together. One that I didn't have to cook! Bonus! I've been to the Annual SCBWI conference in New York on two occasions, and both times had a great, rewarding experience. The regional- New England SCBWI conference has also been amazing.

This year though, with Warped coming out, I feel like I want to branch out some. So I've signed up to attend the New England Romance Writer's of America conference in Salem, MA in April. I don't really consider myself a romance writer- but there are definitely kissing tendencies in my books- so close enough I say! RWA has a reputation of being fantastically supportive of new authors and a great resource for learning the craft.

And then- I really got daring and signed myself up for the World Fantasy Con in San Diego in October!! It will be my first time ever in California, my first time ever to a conference that calls itself a "Con" and is therefore cool, and what else? Well, that's enough I guess.

So what about you?
Are you planning, dreaming scheming about a conference next year? Let me know in the comments- It doesn't even have to be writing oriented- I'd love to hear about other types of conferences.
Yay for fun, networking getaways!