JC Davis: May 2015

Today the Romantic Times 2015 conference officially kicks off. Thousands of writers, industry hopefuls and book fans will be coming together to celebrate reading and meet and learn new things. Not going to RT? No worries, there are a ton of writing conferences offered each year. See my previous blog post on why you should attend one and how to find one that is right for you. But let's say you've made the leap, your found the writing conference of your dreams, you've bought your registration and you're ready to go. What now? Below are a few tips to help you make the most of your conference experience.

1. Bring business cards with your name (or pen name), website, Twitter & Facebook URLs
You probably don't need a ton, but having a few on hand is always a good idea. Moo.com has some utterly adorable mini cards that are perfect for this purpose. You're going to meet a lot of other writers and exchanging cards can help you keep in touch after the conference is over. You're probably not going to be passing these out to agents and editors, but keep your design professional just in case.

2. Print out a schedule ahead of time or download the conference app if one is available
There can be a LOT going on at a conference. Planning your day ahead of time makes sure you don't miss out on programming you're really interested in. In addition, if the conference has an app, download it. This will let you know when programming rooms are moved, special announcements, etc. The app may offer a map or let you create your schedule on your phone - all great features you're sure to use.

3. Make time to chill out
Don't over schedule. Yes you want to take it all in but you don't want to be a mental zombie halfway through the conference. Plan a bit of downtime if you can and grab a snack or a tasty beverage with new writing friends.

4. Take Advantage of Pre-Conference Workshops & Agent/Editor Pitch Sessions
If your conference offers agent and/or editor pitch sessions and you have a finished manuscript, consider signing up for one. This is a good opportunity to meet with an agent face-to-face and make a good impression. Your writing conference may offer workshops prior to the conference start or during - normally you have to sign up separately for these and there may be an additional cost. If one of the workshops looks appealing make sure you sign up early enough to get a spot. This last tip is more iffy, but it's worth considering, print out a copy of your query and first three pages, that way you'll have it on hand in case an agent or editor asks (and ONLY if they ask). If you attend some query workshops, you'll also have your query on hand to mark up or share if that opportunity is presented.

5. Meet up with writing friends
Do you have friends or acquaintances also attending this conference? If so, get together for a coffee or cocktail and enjoy some time with a friendly face. Networking and meeting other writers is one of the best parts of a writing conference. That and geeking out over books.

6. Bring a small notebook & pen
You may or may not want to take notes during some of the programming you attend, but it's better to be prepared than not. Some conferences provide small notepads and pens, but don't count on it unless you are 100% sure they'll be available. I am a note-taker. I always think I'll remember the fabulous tips I'm picking up but inevitably some of it gets lost as I cram new tips and tricks into my head during successive panels. Notes make sure I remember all the little tidbits I really want.

7. Bring a small tote bag for books & promo materials you pick up
Some conferences give attendees a tote bag when they check in. Others don't. Tote bags are awesome. Bring one. Fill it with new books you'll pick up and cool promo materials like bookmarks and such. Or just use it to schlep around that bag of chips you didn't finish at lunch. Either way, you'll probably find a use for your fancy, schmancy tote bag. Bonus points if it's nerdy or book-related!

8. Bring books to get signed (if that's offered) or some extra cash to pick up new books
Many conferences have author signings. Assuming you like the authors attending, bring a copy of their books or buy some on site, get autographs, meet other authors and fangirl. They'll appreciate it :D Don't pester authors for a signature at panels, however. Unless you're friends with them and they've said it's okay.

9. Bring a spare charger for your phone, just in case
Inevitably, at some point during the conference, you are going to reach for your phone to enter a new friend's contact info, check the conference app or just have a quick look at email, and then you'll see it. The red bars of terror - you're battery is low and now you get to choose between going phone less (the horror!) or being chained to a wall with your phone charger if you have one handy. But wait! You are smart and planned ahead, you whip out your handy dandy little power brick, plug it into your phone and suddenly you've got enough juice to make it through the rest of the day. Yay! You win at life. Seriously, these things aren't expensive and they're super useful.

10. Have fun
It's easy to get caught up in nerves fretting about that editor or agent you want to pitch or trying to cram in just one more panel or worrying that you're too much of an introvert and everyone thinks you're acting stuck up and ignoring them. Pause. Take a deep breath. Look around, you see all those people around you? Most of them are in the same place you are writing/career wise. Or they have been or will be soon. THESE are your people. Chill out, mingle, talk books, talk writing, but whatever you do, relax and have fun. This is the most important tip. Yeah you may have paid a lot of money to be here, but if you're not enjoying the conference because you're too wound up - was it really worth it?

One last bonus tip - if you have a tiny laptop, consider bringing it. I use mine to take notes and, if I have downtime between panels and hanging out with friends, I can work on my current WIP. My laptop is a Macbook Air and weighs next to nothing; if it was a huge beast of a thing I'd be leaving it at home. You don't really need your laptop, and it is one more thing to haul around and keep track of, but if you think you might want to use it, it's handy to have right there.

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There are a wide range of writing conferences every year. Some are super specialized, such as World Fantasy, and some are very broad such as the Writers Digest annual conference. There are merits for each but there are also some broad things most conferences will have in common. Writing conferences can be quite pricey, so the question is, are they worth the time and cost? That's a question each writer needs to figure out for themselves, but here are a handful of reasons I think conferences are worth the time and monetary investment:

1. Networking
Writing can be a solitary, lonely endeavor. But there are thousands and thousands of aspiring and established writers out there. Conferences give you chance to meet some of them in person. You can find new critique partners, friends, chat buddies or social media acquaintances at conferences. These are your peers and though your writing journey will inevitably twist and turn in its own unique way, I guarantee you can find some people who are on the same general leg of the journey as you are. These people can offer support, advice, insights into how they handle the ups and downs of writing. Yes writers are often introverts, but if you give other writers a chance, you'll find a fantastic group of people just waiting for you.

2. Workshops & programming
Most writing conferences offer a variety of programming and workshop options. From small critique groups that meet at the beginning to a conference to huge auditoriums filled with audience members hanging on the every word of a famous published author, there's a lot to enjoy. In the past I've sat in on panels about how to polish your query, writing effective log lines, what makes a good first page, an in-depth look at creating compelling character arcs. All of them had valuable information that I was glad to take in. Even the best author can learn a little something new and we should always be working on improving our craft.

3. Getting a handle on the industry and recent releases
Most conferences will have a bookstore or book booth where you can peruse offerings from guest speakers and other recent releases. Sometimes an editor will talk about industry trends and such. Conferences can help you see which books are popular at present, which may be over-done and perhaps help anticipate the next big thing. Should you be writing just toward trends? Probably not, but knowing those trends is always a good idea.

4. Geeking out over published authors
I hope that you're not only a writer but a big reader as well. If so, there must be some authors your really love. Assuming you're not a pure classicist, in which case, my apologies, you'll need a spirit medium to commune with your favorite authors, writing conferences can give you a chance to see authors you like in person. I love getting books signed and letting other authors know how much I've enjoyed their books. I also love hearing other authors talk about their process and their personal publishing journey. It's fascinating stuff. I freely admit that I tend to fangirl authors rather than anyone conventional like movie actors so the special guests at a conference are always a special treat.

5. Meeting agents & editors in person
If you are still looking for an agent, or would like to submit your manuscript directly to editors that accept slush submissions, conferences are a great resource. You get the chance to meet agents and editors in person, hear them present at various panels and may even have the opportunity to sign up for a pitch session. Some conferences, such as DFWCon, offer a free pitch session with your full registration, others may charge an additional fee for pitch sessions. If you have a completed manuscript that's ready for the query trenches, and there are agents or editors you are interested in at the conference, this is a great opportunity to meet face-to-face and make a good impression.

Cost can be a barrier for a lot of potential conference attendees as some conferences cost several hundred dollars for a basic registration. If you're not ready or able to shell out that kind of money, you have a couple options. Most conferences offer day passes which are much more affordable. You can pick a day that has programming you're interested in and just pay for that single day pass. Regional and organization associated conferences, like the many SCBWI conferences offered every year, can be quite affordable and are a great place to dip your toe into the writing conference waters. If you write YA or MG the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators is a fantastic group. You don't need to be a member to attend one of their conferences, though the registration cost is lower if you are a member. Also, check your local library for writing workshops that may be offered. These are normally free or have a modest fee and are a great way to meet other local authors while improving your craft.

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