Yesterday I blogged about how writers should be paid for speaking at conferences, and not treated as a free resource; and as a result I've just been sent a link to Crimefest, a UK-based festival of crimewriting now in its third year.
It all looked quite interesting until I read this part:
On the registration page I find that full registration costs £110.
So in order to be even considered for a place on a panel you have to buy full registration at £110, and even then you're not guaranteed a spot.
Surely this isn't how places on panels are usually allocated? I'd be grateful if someone with more experience of conferences would comment.
It all looked quite interesting until I read this part:
AUTHOR INFO
To qualify for a panel slot authors are required to register for a full CRIMEFEST pass.
All authors published commercially in the UK in the English language are eligible for a panel. This includes translated authors. Authors not published in the UK should contact the organisers at [email protected] regarding panel eligibility.
Authors with recent publications (2010/2011) receive priority, but the aim is to give everyone at least one panel. Where possible, authors with two panels will be scheduled on consecutive days. (Specific dates may be requested but can not be guaranteed.)
Prospective panellists are asked to send a brief bio (up to 75 words) and a photo (jpg/tiff file at 300 dpi) by either email to [email protected] or by regular mail. Photos will not be returned.
On the registration page I find that full registration costs £110.
So in order to be even considered for a place on a panel you have to buy full registration at £110, and even then you're not guaranteed a spot.
Surely this isn't how places on panels are usually allocated? I'd be grateful if someone with more experience of conferences would comment.