Has Anyone Ever Been To...

[J.C. Christian]

The last discussion I posted got a huge response which was awesome. So here's another question:

Has anyone ever attended a writer's conference? What was it like? What kinds of things does one do there?

My ediotor wants to take me to the annual writer's conference for my state in March. She says "Its an excellent opportunity to show case your talent" She said publishers attend these events and love to find new, talented writers. Im not typically shy but the thought of this scares me to death.

Would love to hear about others experiences.

JC

[Richard Lee Byers]

I've never done a "writer's conference," but I've done about a million science fiction conventions, which offer some of the same kinds of experiences and opportunities.

Here are a couple tips for whatever they're worth:

1. When attempting to network, remember that editors and agents are like the rest of us. (Well, in some respects.) They don't like people giving them high-pressure hard sells all the time. That means that when you meet them, you should make it a friendly social interaction first. Let the conversation drift naturally toward your writing. It probably will. A moment may well come when the other person will ask you about it. If not, well, there will be other conversations with other people. (The exception to this is when you are walking into something that both of you understand beforehand to be a pitch session. Even there, you should not be devoid of any trace of the social graces, but you can get down to business more quickly.)

2. Practice your pitches. You should have your "elevator pitches," very concise descriptions of what you are writing or have written, and your we-are-sitting-down-having-a-meeting pitches, which should still be pithy but can go into somewhat more detail.

3. When an editor or agent agrees to look at something, you don't hand them a manuscript or a proposal on the spot and expect them to carry it home from the conference with them. You mail (or these days, very possibly email) the material to them after you go home.

4. If you speak on panels, remember that the audience isn't there to hear a commercial for your stuff. You will make a much better impression if you focus on saying interesting, worthwhile things about the topic of the panel rather than seizing on any excuse to allude to your work through the course of the discussion.

Good luck!

[J.C. Christian]

Wow! Thanks so much Richard! I really appreciate your input on this. Thanks for taking the time to write.

JC

[Pearson Oldmitz]

JC

First: learn to spell editor. Or is your "ediotor" {sic} something else? Editors work for publishers. If you already have an "editor" you must have a publisher, so have no need to go pitch your work at a writer's conference.

[J.C. Christian]

Pearson,

Please forgive me for annoying you with my simple typo and I, in turn, will forgive the demeaning attitude of your reply.

JC

[Richard Lee Byers]

Just because you've sold one project, that doesn't mean there's no reason to pitch. There's always the next project.

[J.C. Christian]

Well said Richard. Thank you for this. I appreciate your encouragement. This book has been a dream of mine for many years. Its important work and Im hoping it finds its intended audience. That said, I think for my next book I will choose a happier topic.

JC

[Darryl Erentzen]

Maybe "ediotor" was a Freudian slip ... as in

"ediot" - "idiot".

ediotor

[C. M. Albrecht]

Easy!  When a person is writing on these sites, said person is busy thinking about content, not proof reading  his/her magnum opus. 

We (people who dash off these little comments) are in a hurry to say our say and go watch TV or busy ourselves with other equally enlightening activities. Only later, looking back do we notice these little boo-boos.

Every time I notice a slip in some comment, Facebook or wherever, somebody, at least one person, has to call the author on it. 

Just write typos etc. off as poetic license. 

[Roxanne Bland]

JC, I have only one thing to add to what Richard said: Relax and enjoy yourself. Writer's conferences are fun, and you learn a lot about the craft. There is much you will take away with you, so make sure you have a pen and pad available for notes. Don't forget to introduce yourself to your fellow authors!

[John Brantingham]

I run a small conference at the college where I teach, and I've been to too many conferences to count. Each one is different. At mine, students are encouraged to ask any question and engage in any kind of business that they like. Other conferences try to discourage business discussion. I'd spend a day talking to people and getting to understand the culture of the conference. And then, when it comes time to pitch and discuss, remember that you're looking for a publisher, but they're looking for you too. No need for nervousness. Your love for and belief in your work will sell it.

[Beverly Toney]

John, when are you hosting another conference?

[J.C. Christian]

John,

I have great fondness for that name. Thank you very much for this. This very helpful and useful information and I apreciate your input.

JC