by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Although it’s tough for me to get away, I really enjoy going to writer’s conferences. I love the chance to see other writers in person, since most of my interaction is online.
Saturday, I went to the Book ‘Em conference in Lumberton, NC. It was a great event–well-organized and well-attended.
Benefits of conferences:
Meeting readers and meeting other writers.
Meeting formerly-virtual friends. I loved meeting L. Diane Wolfe, who I’ve known for years online…it was wonderful to finally meet her in person. (And she’s just as fun, vibrant, energetic, genuine, and nice as she seems online. Thanks to Diane’s husband for taking this picture of us.)
Informative panels: I hear interesting perspectives on the publishing industry and the writing craft when I go to conferences.
Connecting with industry professionals: Some writing conferences can be good places for unpublished writers to find agents and publishers. (Usually the larger ones…and you’ll need to make a reservation in advance for a formal pitch session.)
Remember:
Bring business cards. Because you’ll need them. (I forgot mine. Sigh.)
If you’re published, know in advance how the book sales will be handled. Should you bring your own books? Will the venue be ordering books? Will you be handling the sales, yourself (in which case you need to bring change) or will there be a bookstore handling them?
Keep your receipts for tax write-offs.
Bring water with you if you’re on a panel.
Pick your conferences carefully. Getting to conferences can be expensive, so I’d recommend finding conferences that are a good fit for what you write and aren’t too far away, geographically.
Pace yourself. And wear comfortable shoes.
Have you been to any conferences? What tips can you add?
Good points, I LOVE attending conferences.
Wagging Tales
Wow! Two living legends together in one place at one time. Great pic! My wife just the other day asked why I don;t go to writers conferences. I told her there aren;t any in my area but I am willing to travel to the Bay area for an upcoming conference. So I might do that and take the fam too.
Elizabeth – Conferences really can be great experiences, and you’ve provided some really helpful tips. May I add this one? No matter how shy you are, practice an easy, pleasant way of meeting people. the more comfortable you feel in your own skin, the more comfortable others are around you. If you’re good at mingling, that’s great. But if you’re not, it can be very helpful to practice an easy smile, an appropriate way to walk up to complete strangers, and so on.
Lovely pic of two lovely ladies – would love to meet you both some day. I haven’t attended a writer’s conference in years. I guess until I have something to pitch, it doesn’t make sense.
Karen
Yes to the comfortable shoes! I attended my first conference in October and loved every moment of it.
It was so wonderful to finally meet you! Took way too long to do it, too.
I learned a few things this weekend, too. Now to start implementing them.
I love thinking of you two together! What a bonus. I was just saying (commenting) to Pat over at Patricia Stoltey’s blog – that I would love to go to the Colorado conference – mainly to meet her!
The only thing I would add is that if you have something to pitch – even if it is on the fly, get your short short short pitch ready. Practice it on your kids, husband and dog!
ooo, thanks so much for this Liz! I’ll be attending my very first conference in May, and I feel like I have no idea what to do. There’s crit sessions w/editors, and I signed up for a few. Now I’m trying to decide what to show them. So many questions–thanks for answering some! :o) <3
Glad you two got to meet. I know, I know – I was supposed to be there as well! I really was sick though…
I’m going to Left Coast Crime in March, and it’s a reader’s conference, as is RomCon in June. These are totally different from writers conferences, such as Pikes Peak Writers or SleuthFest. And then there’s the totally “learning” kind of conference like the Writers Police Academy.
I love them all, and have posted my tips (from bring your own name badge holder and tote bag to making sure you have comfortable shoes) on my blog a couple of times.
And is it just me, or did Blogger play around with the comments format…again.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
Stephen–That’s too bad that there aren’t any that are close to you! Hope you’ll make a trip out of it and go to the Bay area for one.
Charmaine–Wish I could go to more than I do!
Diane–Me too! It was a great day.
Jan–Practicing the pitches is a great tip! And I’d love to meet Patricia, too. :)
Margot–That’s a very good tip! Most of us writers aren’t the best in social situations (know that I’m not.)
Karen–I think they can be pretty inspiring, too–just to sit in the panels and listen in. :)
LTM–I think you’ll have fun! Good luck with your crit sessions.
Elspeth–Sounds like you had a great time!
Alex–I was so disappointed that you couldn’t make it! Hope you’re better soon.
I recommend comfortable shoes, yes, but not flip-flops. The last conference I attended – I could not believe the ultra-casual and messy dress of so many attendants. I wore a blazer, polished shoes, and a name tag. Get involved and participate, but no gossiping (also a lot of that at my last conference). Have a couple of intros/schpeels for yourself and practice them out loud pre-conference. Ask friends or family to listen, maybe ask you a few questions. Before the conference, find out presenter and panelist names and study their bios so you know what they look like and so you can engage them when given a chance. Tote bag is a great idea (in case they are not being handed out).
For newbies conferences are scary things. I haven’t been to one yet. Waiting for one I can attend closer to home. The tips you offered are so helpful to those of us in the dark.
Hi Elizabeth .. sounds a great time – and there’s some good advice here .. and such fun meeting up with Diane – love the photo ..
Cheers Hilary
Thanks so much for posting this–I just signed up for my first conference (working on my first novel) and I’m appreciating the hints posted in the comments as well.
Since this is my first “rodeo”, I am not trying to hook up with any agent–I’m simply going to become a sponge and soak up as much info as I can ;-)
Terry–Good tips! You make it to a lot more conferences than I do.
Blogger changed comments again. Yep. :)
Karen–Excellent tips! Yes, I try to be a little on the dressier side…but I wear flats. For one thing, because I’m really tall (see photo. :) )
Marcia–Local is not only cheaper, but it’s less-intimidating!
Hilary–It was a fun day!
Linda–That sounds like a good plan. Finding agents can make a conference a little stressful…for your first one it might be nice to just learn the ropes. :)