As I was preparing to go the SCBWI Golden Gate writers conference this weekend in Monterey, CA (Asilomar, yes!), it reminded me that conference season is kicking into gear early this year and it’s never too soon to start your own preparations. Here are some tips:
1. Writers conferences, the best ones, allow ample time to network with your fellow attendees and the faculty. Don’t be intimidated by a best-selling author or super agent. Go introduce yourself. Or sit at their table during lunch. And don’t forget that when you’re standing in line at the bar, the person ahead of or behind you might one day become a critique partner, an Amazon reviewer, or even a best-seller who could offer you a cover blurb. Leave your shell at home and put yourself out there to notice and be noticed.
2. Bring business cards, but leave the manuscript and query letters on your laptop. Most agents and other publishing professionals do not have room in their luggage to bring home manuscripts. And most of us want them in digital form anyway. I don’t even want a business card since I do all of my business via email or online. Time not preparing and packing these things could be better spent practicing your pitch so you don’t have to read it off a cue card once you do get to talk to an agent or editor.
3. Develop an elevator pitch. This is such an important part of your author “brand”. It’s the answer to the question you’ll get asked a dozen times at a conference: “What do YOU write?” Really think about it before you arrive at the event. Why do you write? What do you write? From that develop a quick phrase (eg. I write police procedurals with incredible villains) that can be expanded upon when someone expresses interest in learning more specifics. It’s called an elevator pitch because you should be able to describe your book in the time it takes to ascend or descend in a hotel elevator.
4. Relax and Enjoy. Sure, it’s stressful. If you let it be. If you flip it around, it can be the highlight of your year. You are in a group of writers, like-minded souls who love the written word. What better, safer place is there in the world? No one is begging you to stop talking about your character insights or how you strengthened that sagging chapter 14. They want to learn from you as much as you want to learn from them. Shared experience. It’s great. If you become withdrawn because you don’t know anyone and don’t know what to say, you’ll miss out on the fun, the opportunities, and the inspiration. Just let it go and take a deep breath. Observe and interact. It’s all good.
5. And finally, write, write, write. Write every day. Read, read, read. Read every day. Even when you’re at a conference find 15 minutes before you leave your hotel room or before you go to sleep to write something. Anything. A blog post or a bit more on your Work in Progress. And read at least a chapter of a new book you picked up from the onsite bookseller. Then remember to do that every single day when you return home. Keep that conference energy going and you have no idea how far it will take you.
Good luck. And happy conferencing!
