by Kerrie Flanagan
When I was new to writing 17 years ago, I wanted to soak in all I could about the publishing industry and the craft of writing. What transported me into this world at light speed was my first writing conference.
I felt like Captain Kirk landing the Spaceship Enterprise on some alien planet. I was uncomfortable, I didn’t speak the language and at times I wanted Scotty to beam me up. But, once I completed my mission, I realized all my doubts and apprehensions about whether or not I belonged were self-inflicted. No one cared that I hadn’t published anything yet. It was clear we were all there for the same reasons; because we were passionate about writing and because we wanted to continue to hone our craft.
Over the years, I have attended many conferences, presented at some and even hosted one for 10 years. During this time it has become quite clear that regardless of where you are in your writing journey, conferences are the perfect way to connect with industry professions, and continue to learn more about the craft, the business and what is happening in the publishing world.
There are many great ones across the country. They vary in size, specialty and cost. It is important to find the ones that fit your needs and your budget. Some are very genre specific like a mystery or romance writer’s conference and others are more general, providing sessions on a variety of writing related topics like writing dialogue and character development as well as the business of writing.
The Shaw Guides (writing.shawguides.com) is a great online resource. You can search based on location or specific month. It provides all the basic information you require about each event and a link to that conference’s website. Writing magazines and resource books, like the Guide to Literary Agents are also great sources.
When looking for a conference, don’t let the first price you see influence your decision. Delve deeper to see what is included at that price. Are meals included? Do agent/editor pitch session come with the registration fee? How about critiques or special workshops? Sometimes the price looks almost too good to be true and when you look closer, it is.
For instance, Conference A is only $150 for two days, but then each of the four meals is an extra $20, there is a $15 fee to get a pitch session with an agent, and the 2-hour workshop with your favorite author is another $35. So if you take advantage of the full conference your total cost is $280. Sure, you can bring your own lunch or go somewhere else (which will cost you as well), but you will miss out on some great opportunities to talk with other writers, the presenters, agents and editors. On the flip side, Conference B is also a two-day conference with the same amount of workshops and pitch sessions and it is $290, but everything is included.
By researching further, you find they are both comparable in price. Now, examine the offerings of each and decide which best meets your needs.
Workshops make up the bulk of any writers’ conference, so you want to make sure there are a wide variety of choices for you to pick from. Think about what you want to get out of it. Do you want to focus on the craft of writing, the business side of it or explore new genres? Look at the topics to see if they fit with your plan. Then be sure to research the presenters to learn more about their writing and their level of expertise. Finding workshops in your genre is important, but it is good to expand your writing horizons and consider attending some in different genres.
Having a chance to talk with professionals in the industry and ask them questions is a definite perk. Find out what opportunities are available like cocktail hours or ask if presenters are assigned to tables at meal times. These are ideal times to start up casual conversations with the agents, editors or presenters and make a connection (this is not a time to pitch your book idea though, unless asked).
Many offer opportunities to pitch your book idea to an agent or editor face to face. This can be a definite plus if you have a completed manuscript or book proposal and are seeking representation. Research each editor or agent to make sure there is at least one who represents your genre before deciding if this is the right conference for you.
A big-name author can be a huge draw, but I caution you not to base your decision on this factor alone. Many times, the keynote speaker comes in, does her talk and then leaves after a book signing. This is only about one hour out of the whole event, so make sure the rest of the it lives up to the hype of the one speaker.
A conference is an investment in yourself and your writing. Once you have found one you are interested in, you want to be prepared so you can get the most out of your experience.
Many writers hear this word and want to find the nearest wormhole to hide in. After all, our writing time is spent by ourselves with only our characters to keep us company. Mingling with strangers can be downright intimidating. With a little preparation it doesn’t have to be scary. Make time for a little cyber research. Google the presenters. Visit their websites and find out more about who they are and their writing. Follow them on social media and if you are on those platforms, begin by interacting with them that way. Then when you have the chance to visit with them during a cocktail hour or meal, you will have some topics you can talk about. Another tip for easing the discomfort of networking is to have a few standard questions ready to go. People generally like to talk about themselves, so ask about their family, their job, and what they like to do for fun when they are not writing. One great phrase to use is, “Tell me about...” This way you don’t have to ask questions that seem intrusive like, “Are you married?” Instead you can say, “Tell me about your family.”
Whether we like it or not, publishing is a business and needs to be treated like one. First and foremost, dress the part. When you are at home writing you may love your big comfy sweat pants and warm flannel shirt, but home is where they should stay. For the conference, plan to dress professionally. It isn’t necessary to wear a business suit, but you should wear something nice and something you will be comfortable in all day. Also, maintain your poise when you are interacting with agents and editors. There are always designated times when you can discuss your manuscript with them. Don’t corner them and pitch your book during a cocktail hour and don’t slide your manuscript under a bathroom stall door. You will be remembered, but not for the right reasons.
Once you are there, you need to, “give her all she’s got, Captain.” Take advantage of everything that is being offered and participate in as much as you can. After all, you paid for it so you might as well get your money’s worth. If you are in a session that is not meeting your expectations, it is okay to quietly slip out and find another one. Toward the end of the event, you are going to be tired and your brain will be full, but I encourage you to turn on the thrusters and stay until the very end.
It’s easy to stay the course and focus only on your genre. But why not challenge yourself and go boldly where you have not gone before? Explore different worlds and expand your writing horizons. If you write children’s books, attend a short story workshop or attend a screenwriting session. By keeping an open mind, you can always learn something new that you can apply to your own writing.
Once the conference is over and you are back at home base, there is still some work to be done. It is easy to skip this part, but you will make a lasting impression if you put effort into making one final connection.
Take an afternoon to write handwritten thank you notes to the agents, editors, presenters and the conference organizers you met. Thank them for their time and if there was something they said during a presentation or during a conversation that resonated with you or something they did, mention that as well. They all put a lot of time into the event and a short note from you can go a long way.
If after a pitch session, an agent or editor requested a partial or full manuscript, then be sure to send it within a couple of weeks. If it needs some extra polishing before sending, then make time to work on the edits so you can get it out quickly. The longer you wait, the longer you risk them not remembering you and the easier it is for you to not do it.
Now it is time to think about what you want to accomplish with your newfound knowledge and your regenerated energy. Do you want to finish the first draft of a novel? Find an agent? Publish short stories or articles? Pick a couple and write those down. Give yourself a deadline as to when you want them completed. Then write the action steps needed to achieve those goals. For instance, if you want to have your novel completed in six months, then one action step may be to set aside four hours a week to write. Now, decide how you will reward yourself once you complete your task; go shopping, go to a movie, have a spa day. By creating big goals and the steps needed to complete them, you provide yourself with a path that, if followed, will lead to success.
Writing conferences are a worthwhile investment in you and your writing. Take the voyage to explore different genres, to seek out new information and new connections, and to boldly go where others have gone before.
KERRIE FLANAGAN is an accomplished freelance writer, author and publisher from Colorado. Her books include: Write Away; A Year of Musings and Motivations for Writers, and Planes, Trains and Chuck & Eddie. Her publishing company, Hot Chocolate Press, creates books to warm your heart, nourish your soul and spark your sense of adventure. http://HotChocolatePress.com