Writer’s Conference Know How 

It’s conference time!  Like getting the spring garden catalogs in winter, spring is the time most writers are wishing to attend a writers’ conference. 

As a conference director that lasted 9 years, I’ve seen it all in behavior, skills, grumpiness, better than thou, and a host of many other hidden traits that pop out at these events.  I can honestly say that with the conference I was associated with was a bit different than the weekend conference.  I ran a week long, live at conference.  However, you bring your attitude with you no matter how long the conference.

First, we have the naïve writer who is hoping to glean as much from “professionals” as possible.  I like this type of conference goer.  They are honest.  And they honestly want to learn.

The second type is, I’ve written a novel, or non-fiction book, or whatever genre and I’ve received 65 rejections, some of those editors are here and I’m going to find out why I was rejected.  Well…the answer will be pretty obvious to everyone but the author, learn to write.

The third type is seasoned with rejections, they’ve got the rhino hide perfected, but they’ve learned from those rejections and have prepared their material to be presented.

There are many reasons writers want to attend a conference.  Perhaps it’s the keynote speaker, or the panelists or the workshops offered by authors you admire.  Whatever the reason here are some tips for selecting the conference right for you.

Start with conferences in your area.  What kind of conference are you looking for?  This is very important.  If you are a mystery writer, select a mystery writers’ conference.  If you are a romance writer, select a romance writers’ conference.  If you are a Christian writer select a Christian writers’ conference.  If you write mainstream in any category select a conference that best fits what you want to write. 

Cost is another issue.  If you start with a conference in your area you can go home at night, but may want to dine with other conference goers.  If you choose a conference out of your area then you have to add lodging, food and travel costs, plus the cost of the conference.  But, this might be worth it to you.

Don’t be afraid to talk to people.  Introduce yourself and ask what ‘they’ are working on before you start talking about your project.  Sound silly?  Not at all, most writers want you to ask about their latest project.  

We all know that editors, agents and publishers will be in attendance at these conferences…but do you know what they look like?  You may know them by name, and are attending the event because you’ve read they will be there.  You may think you’ll even have the chance to meet with them.  Warning:  Be prepared for this meeting.

Have your perfect query letter ready to read aloud, this is your time to pitch! Be prepared to pitch in one sentence if necessary…hook ‘em.  Be prepared to answer any question these short on time people may have.  Don’t bully, don’t ask them to explain their actions, don’t take up their valuable time by going on and on about your latest project and you are the best writer they’ll ever read.  This is a turn off to editors! 

An example of this is that last year we had a client attending a very large and well-represented conference in San Francisco.  The attendees paid for 5-minutes for each representative they wanted to meet.  Speed pitching.  Out of the hundreds of conference goers our first time writer presenter went with his query letter in hand.  He ended up not needing the full 5-minutes, but each agent/editor gave him the valuable time to talk about his project.  He ended up with 7 go-aheads and thanked by each person for being prepared.

Don’t talk with your friends about a book of any editor that might be in attendance.  An example of this is at another conference, or perhaps the same one, someone was complaining about an editor who, in her terms, did a lousy job when she published so and so’s book, the author couldn’t write therefore the editor must be stupid or blind.  Big mistake!  The editor in question was standing in a group behind the woman with the big mouth.  She then went on to find out who this author was and learned that the mouth’s project was on her desk.  She informed her editor friends of the event and this author was automatically rejected, project sent back with notice that said, not right for our line.

You don’t know what any of these presenters and editors look like unless you’ve been to every conference they’ve been to.  So, be polite, don’t back stab and by all means, be prepared and professional.  Write a to the point query letter that tells exactly what your project is about, what genre you are writing and who are your readers.  These are the things editor want to hear.

By all means enjoy yourself at the conferences, you’ll make new friends, glean all types of writing information and perhaps even gain a book contract in the process.  Good luck.

Keep writing and I’ll see you in print.

Karen N.