Writer Conferences Tips
There are a number of different and well-attended
conferences sponsored by RWA and its chapters as well as the Romantic
Times' annual conference. There are a lot of writers who aren't sure what
to expect from conferences. They've got dozens of questions on the
who, what, where and how. You name it, there's
probably someone out there asking a question about it. So to help
you out, here are some tips for you to consider when you go to a
writer conference (also most if not all of these tips will usually
apply to any business conference.) Both conferences have their
advantages depending on where a writer is in their career. RWA's
conference is business with a little fun mixed in, while RT's
conference is lots of fun and parties with a little business mixed
in, but the tips below are good to follow no matter which conference
you attend.
Tip 1 - You're Always On
I consider this the most important
tip of all. No matter where you are in the hotel, the bar, a
restaurant, a quiet hallway (outside someone else's room), any
where except you're own room, you're always on. The only time
you can truly relax to the point that you say and do what you
want is in your hotel room. Why? Because you never know who's
hanging around where.
Maybe the gal in the elevator who looks quiet
and shy is an editor. Maybe the gal is friends with an editor.
Maybe the lady passing you in the hall who hears you trashing an
author is that author's agent. Guard your words and your
behavior carefully. Lots of people hang out in the bars and some
get polluted. Getting polluted is ok, but do it in your room
with friends where you can make a fool of yourself without any
career repercussions. Editors and agents are ALWAYS aware of who
can act professional and be a good representative for them in
terms of readers. Bad impressions are easier to remember than
good ones. It might not completely affect a sale (Hemmingway got
published - *grin*), but don't give anyone a reason to reject
you until you're at Nora's level.
Tip 2 - Arrive Early If
Possible
If you're going to the RWA
conference, and you can afford it, it's always easier on the
body to arrive a day or two ahead of the Wednesday start date.
When you have up to 2000 attendees, you're apt to have long
waits at hotel and RWA registration (although its an excellent
networking opportunity). It also makes for a more relaxing
conference because you're not feeling so rushed about
everything. On top of that getting there earlier ensures you're
able to get to the Literary Signing on Wednesday evening without
feeling pushed for time.
Tip 3 - Business Attire
Dress as if you were going to
work. Business/business casual dress is the order of the day.
Wearing the latest shoe styles are fun, but in most instances,
you're going to be on your feet a lot so be prepared to either
wear those fun styles BROKEN IN or save them for the times when
you're not expecting to be on your feet all the time. When
shopping for new shoes, go in the evening to shop. Your feet
swell during the day, and you want to make sure that the shoes
you buy won't make you absolutely miserable.
Wearing open toed sandals? Get some of those
great non-slip pads for the area just behind the toes. They'll
hold your foot in place in most instances and keep your toes
from running off the edge of the shoe. Saturday night at RWA is
a fairly dress affair. You see the dress code runs the range of
formal evening gowns (usually nominees) to cocktail dresses to
business suits. This event is not one where you want to come
dressed casual. Not because you can't, but because most people
would feel insecure and uncomfortable doing so. If you're a
rebel, then go for it and make a statement. *grin*
Tip 4 - Contingency Planning
Most hotels provide you with hair dryers and some personal
products, but I always bring my own hair dryer and TWO curling
irons in case something dies. Murphy's Law applies here. Be a
good Boy/Girl Scout and be prepared. Since I'm AR by choice, I
always type out my needs for each day. I generally just list all the things
I know I'll need everyday, then I list each daily outfit(s) and what's
needed for them. Check out the What to Pack
page.
Generally I plan out what I'm going to wear for
the entire week and then compose my list based on that. Makes it
easier when I get there to know that I didn't forget to bring my
lucky string of pearls for that important meeting. *grin* Now
this might seem extreme, but it works for me. Organization means
I'm feeling good about how I look, and I'm not upset when I
forget the earrings that match my outfit.
Tip 5 - Emergency Kit
ALWAYS have an emergency kit that you bring along. The emergency
kit should be about the size of a medium makeup bag. Use it to
carry items like a needle, thread, safety pins, hair pins,
Band-Aids, burn cream (for those curling iron burns), etc.
General items that you're always going, "damn, I wish I had
brought XXX."
Tip 6 - Workshops
Schedule you're time wisely. Before you even set foot in the
hotel, you should have already reviewed the workshop booklet if
available. Figure out which classes are the most important to
you and put them in your PDA (Palm Pilot, etc.) If you don't
have a PDA, then create a table in Word and make your own paper
calendar with dates and times on it. Fill it in based on the
classes you want. If you're caught between wanting to do two
different things, remember that at RWA National you can buy the workshops on CD.
Unless you want to ask questions of a particular agent, editor
or author, you could probably pass up Workshop A to go to lunch
with a chapter mate.Bring a note book
to record your notes. RWA now offers members the option to have the
handbook on CD. If you opt for the CD, you'll need something to
write on if you're in a workshop and hear something you want to
remember. As you're listening, you also can write down any
questions you have so that when you get up or raise your hand to
ask the question you can do so without stuttering. If you do get
up to ask a question, speak clearly and loud enough for the
presenter to hear you. If you're in the back of the room, you'll
need to speak louder than in the front. Additionally, if you're
not sure whether the workshop is going to be your cup of tea and/or it conflicts with
another one you'd like to attend also, simply sit in the back or
close to the door so that you can quietly leave if the workshop
isn't giving you what you want. People leave all the time for
appointments and meetings, so you're not being rude, it's
accepted practice.
Tip 7 - Business Cards
Business cards. Even if you're not published you should have a
small supply on hand. Business cards are great for handing out
to other people, not just editors or agents. You meet someone
you really connect with, talk about critiquing together or doing
some other venture. Having that business card available makes it
easier than hunting for paper and pen in a hallway. Some
people say that you have to have them professionally printed. I
disagree. You can get the really nice fine edge Inkjet cards from HP
that are close to the same weight as professionally made ones.
Be sure to include your name/pen name, email and website. If
you're published, you might want to list your book titles and
ISBN's on the back of the card.
Tip 8 - Editor/Agent
Appointments
Editor/Agent Appointments. You
have only 10 minutes to sell yourself and your story to the
editor. I heard someone say recently that you have to sell
yourself to the editor/agent and sell what your story can do for
their bottom line. I think this is true to a certain extent. The
editor/agent have no way of knowing how well you write based on
the appointment, so you have to intrigue them with your pitch. I
have cards done up that I used for my successful pitches in
Dallas in 2004 and New Jersey 2004. (Click
here to visit the pitch page.)
These cards allowed me to memorize and learn how
to present my story in the best light possible without stumbling
over my words. When I pitched in Dallas, I got a full request,
along with a three chapter partial request and a 75 page partial
request. I'm convinced my cards, which I memorized, allowed me
to be coherent and prepared for any questions the editor/agent
asked me about the books I was pitching, and I pitched two
different ones with a third as backup.
When it comes to editors and agents, here are
some don'ts. Take these seriously.
Don't
hand them your full manuscript in the bathroom, in
the hallway, over dinner or anywhere. Don't do it period. One
they're traveling too and can't carry a whole slew of
manuscripts back to the office. Two, it's unprofessional.
Don't
take any part of your manuscript to your editor/agent
appointment. Take
ONLY your
index cards
Don't
trash another author or publisher. It's
unprofessional and the editor/agent might have friends who
overhear you, remember your name and pass on your comments.
Don't screw with your career.
Don't
accuse the agent/editor that they didn't respond to another
query you sent them. You can remind them that you submitted in
the past, but in most cases they're not going to remember you,
unless they asked to see more, and even then they might not
remember it well.
Tip 9 - Promotional
Items
This is tricky tip, primarily because each conference is
different. My promo strategy for the Romantic Times conference
is completely different from RWA. For RWA 2006 in Atlanta, I
have excerpts of my newest release, bookmarks from several of my
books (only about 500 or so of each) and a nice coolie giveaway
for the Promo room. At most conferences, the promo room is not
manned, so you don't want to take anything that might walk away.
I'm using some plastic signs with a holder for brochures and/or
bookmarks. I've marked the back with permanent ink and labels.
Hopefully that will deter anyone from walking off with them, but
they're not that expensive, and they do make nice presentations
vs. just dropping some bookmarks and brochures on the table.
Another possibility is to donate a nice gift
basket to RWA's literary book signing. I donated items to the
Passionate Ink chapter's basket giveaway at their luncheon, and
my personal basket is filled with a couple of my books and
sensual items. Excerpts seem to be a good way to catch a
potential reader. Whether it's a tri-fold brochure or a
three-chapter booklet, they both seem to do well. It also gives
readers a taste for your work.
Tip 10 - Networking
Although most writing conferences are about business, they're
about a business you love, so have fun. Enjoy yourself and take
pleasure in talking to other writers whose eyes don't glaze over
when you're talking about your books or angsting over your
current manuscript.Not sure what to say? Not
a problem. The key to networking is listening. People love to
talk about their work, themselves, etc. if they have a willing
audience. Be a good listener. Practice active listening. Listen,
really listen to what the speaker is saying. Don't be jumping
ahead in your mind as to how you can point out how a similar
thing happened to you. Don't be thinking about a question you
want to ask. Don't be thinking about your upcoming agent/editor
appointment. Focus on the speaker. This is a win win situation
for you. One - you're apt to learn something new, Two - the
tendency to say something you might regret down the road is
greatly reduced, and Three - you win admirers for being such a
good listener. *grin*
