I’d actually planned on putting some great photos on this particular blog post—but then realized as I’m here at the Malice Domestic conference in Washington, DC, that apparently I didn’t pack the cord that connects my camera to the laptop. But I’ll definitely be posting some pictures later from the conference.
Writers’ conferences can be great for everyone—aspiring writers looking for industry info, an agent, or a publisher; readers who enjoy hearing favorite authors on panels; and published writers, who connect with readers, find new readers, and network with other writers.
Here’s what I’ve gotten out of it so far:
Readers: Core readers who love the genre come to Malice Domestic. These are folks who read as many cozy mysteries as they can get their hands on…and I was very glad to be able to visit with them.
Writing friends: I’ve had a great time sharing meals and visiting with writers that I’d only known online. It’s fun to see how they are in person…and amazingly easy to fall into conversation since we’ve already know each other, even though it was a virtual friendship.
Malice-Go-Round—Billed as ‘speed dating for writers’, this part of the program featured 40 authors making snappy pitches to a table of readers before time was up and they moved to the next table of readers. Useful for developing pithy pitches and finding new readers. I sat in as a reader, not a writer and was introduced that way to all the writers that I knew online that I’d yet to meet in person.
Panels—sitting in the audience. I’ve picked up all kinds of information on what other people are working on and the way they handled different topics in their books.
Panels—sitting at the podium. A nice way to reach new readers and promote upcoming books.
Meet people you don’t ordinarily get to see—I’m having coffee with my agent tomorrow. Although we’ve been working together, I haven’t been able to meet her in person.
One of my publishers, Berkley Prime Crime, took its authors to dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. I had an opportunity to meet editors, my publicist, and the actual president and VP of that Penguin imprint. I also had a chance to visit with other Berkley authors and find out what they’ve been working on and maybe the direction that Berkley is going in for its upcoming series.
Promotional ideas. I’ll admit that I’m not the most creative person when it comes to marketing. At the conference I’ve seen some wonderful promotional ideas in action. Several authors came up with baskets for the silent auction–filling the basket with their books and small things that tie in with their book or setting. The conference helped the authors out by having author bingo–the readers walked around looking for authors that fit certain criteria…published by a particular publisher, from a certain region of the country, etc. A group I’m involved with had a button contest: we each had a button made from our book cover and readers could approach us and get our button. Whoever had the most buttons from our group of authors first won a gift certificate to the conference bookstore.
Of course, there were also bookmarks and postcards and business cards galore. At the signing after my panel, I did sign my books, but I also signed anything that anyone put in front of me, whether they bought my book or not. In addition, there were authors giving small things away (with their promotional information tied onto the materials) at their signings….like my barbeque potholders. Again, I didn’t mind if the reader bought my book or not–it was an opportunity for me to meet a potential reader (and readers at these conferences are avid readers) and tell them about my upcoming release.
Getting to conferences can be expensive, so I’d recommend finding conferences that are a good fit for what you write and are maybe, geographically, not too far away. I’ve really enjoyed the connections I’ve made, the industry information I’ve gotten, and the friends I’ve been able to visit.
Have you gone to any conferences, either as an aspiring or published writer? What have you gotten out of it?
I’ll say it again: I’m jealous!
Maybe I’ll get to go next year. I’m trying to get more mystery conferences into my budget, but it takes a little planning.
In the meantime, I demand that you to give us reports and pictures when you can.
Sounds great. I love the idea of the Malice-go-round. That is really interesting. I don’t actually enjoy being “pitched” to, but it would be fun to have an out if you don’t like the book. :) And to see what everyone has to say, get ideas for when it is your turn.
Sounds like you’re really making the most of your time there. The dinner and coffee with your agent sound great. Have fun and a safe flight home!
Michele
SouthernCityMysteries
Me tooooo- jealous. I love your information – what you have been doing and what you have learned.
I have never been to writer’s conference. I would have to travel to St. Louis or KC to do so. It’s on my list to do!!!
Have fun. Learn lots to share with your followers.
Elizabeth – It sounds as though you’ve been having a wonderful time, and I’m happy for you. I think the most important thing I get out of conferences is the chance to interact with others who are facing exactly the kinds of things I face. I get so many, many good ideas from others, and sometimes, those ideas come out of casual conversations that you just can’t have online.
And I’m adding my name to the list of those who are drumming their fingers impatiently to see your pictures!
Love conferences. Being surrounded by readers and writers and professionals in the industry makes all that ‘alone in front of the computer’ time worthwhile, and proves there’s a world beyond the keyboard.
I love SleuthFest. I’ve been to Pikes Peak Writers Conference, NOLA’s Written in the Stars, and am looking forward to RomCon, the Writer’s Police Academy and Emerald City this year.
I’ve never been to a conference, but you’ve perked my interest.
Elizabeth, your section on promotion was cut-off and I’m dying to know what new ideas you discovered.
Also, I’m VERY jealous that you got to go to the convention. Maybe I’ll get to hit the Philly Writers Conference soon.
Well shoot! It sure was cut off. Can you tell it was after midnight when I wrote this post? :) Thanks for the heads-up…I’ll fix it up.
I’ve been… and I’d sure like to go to another…
you are inspiring me… as you always do!
enjoy
As you say, conferences can be expensive (and in my case, health-consuming) so I have decided not to go to the Danish crime conference until I have published a book in Danish. (Well, at least that is what I think today, but if I haven´t had any success in five years time I am entitled to change my mind, aren´t I?)
I’ve never been to Malice, but I love writers’ conferences and mystery conventions. I always learn something new, and I always meets dozens of wonderful people (and I always bring home lots of new books to stack around my living room).
I’ve never been to a conference, but I definitely will make plans to go in another couple of years (impossible at this time). I’d love the opportunity to meet some of the people I’ve met online!
I hope to go to a conference sometime in the near future. They sound like a great time. I’m glad everything went well for you, Elizabeth!
I just went to my first conference and really enjoyed it. I think meeting people and making connections was key. I also enjoyed the workshops.
I’d love to go to a writing conference someday. I know science conferences are extremely helpful (but expensive). Maybe I can organize going to one of each next time I’m in the U.S. That way I stimulate both sides of my brain!
This is a great peek, Elizabeth! I’m so glad you had a great experience and it sounds like a ton of good stuff. I would argue though, that you ARE creative, and that what you may lack in wacko ideas, you make up for in diligence–you are certainly easier to find than any other cozy author I have found!
I can attest to that! I’ve been so busy promoting for SO long, I’ve not written anything new in almost a year. Time to get busy.