I love conference season. It’s a chance to escape my writing cave, meet
other writers, learn my craft, pitch my books and just have fun. But more important, as an unpublished writer,
a conference is a professional opportunity.
Here are my suggestions to make your next
conference—work for you. A lot of these
suggestions are geared for RWA, but can apply to the regional conferences.
Set
conference goals: Are
you trying to learn about a specific part of the craft of writing? Conflict has always been my nemesis; so I try
and attend as many workshops on conflict as available. Do you have a specific publisher you want to
write for? Attend the spotlights. They give advice on what they’re looking for
in submissions. Check out workshops that
give you critique opportunities like the opening pages or query letter reviews.
Meet
new people: Don’t
forget your business cards. I’ve made so many wonderful friends at
conferences. This is my third time to
the Golden Heart dance. This year I’ll meet
a new set of Golden Heart sisters and see my Unsinkable and Starcatcher friends. Follow your new friends on Facebook or Twitter
and support their successes.
Prepare
your Pitch:
If you’ve completed and polished your manuscript, prepare an elevator
pitch. Just because you have an
appointment with an agent or an editor doesn’t mean that will be your only
contact with someone who is in the position to request your manuscript. An elevator pitch is your story setup in one
of two sentences. Be able to deliver
your pitch in a breath or two – no notes.
If that’s a problem, print it on your business card.
Pick
your targets: Research
the editors and agents attending the conference and determine if your
manuscript meets their submission requirements.
Don’t forget, you can query before
the conference. Your objective is to be
published. That means finding the right
fit for your manuscript and making sure you contact all possible outlets. Look at their pictures and be able to
recognize the agent or editor in a crowd.
Remember, this is a symbiotic relationship. They are there to find new authors; you are
there to get an agent or publisher.
Make
contact: If
your previous queries have resulted in a request, notify the agent or editor
that you will be at the conference and suggest a meeting. They may not have the time, but your email
might net you a quick meeting or coffee, or even wonderful advice.
Put
yourself out there: I’m
an extrovert and even I have trouble pitching my work. But last year at RWA I came home with eight
requests. I pitched in the bar, at a
party, in a publishing house spotlight and of course the normal
appointments. Don’t forget, you can camp
in the appointment room and pick up extra appointments with your desired editor
or agent. You are there to get your work
requested.
Appointments: Make sure you’re
prepared and have practiced. I plan for
a three-minute pitch in a ten-minute appointment. It’s the elevator pitch with my hero and
heroine’s GMC. Then they either have
time for questions, or if they have requested your manuscript, you can ask
questions. If the agent or editor
doesn’t like the first manuscript and if you have others, pitch them. At one conference, I gave an agent an option
of two different genre manuscripts. She wanted
me to pitch both. I did—in six minutes. To my delight, she requested both.
Be
Professional: Conferences
are fun, but you’re working. A lot
happens in the bar, but don’t get too loud, too drunk, or too … anything. And this means looking professional. Torn jeans and a dirty sweatshirt may not be the
image you want to portray. Sure I write
in my bathrobe, but that’s not my public persona. Carry yourself with confidence and people
will respect you more. And maybe they’ll
request a manuscript.
Because that’s what it’s about, someone requesting
your work. Your perfect story will never
sell, if it languishes in the bowels of your computer. (Or under the bed!)
There’s lots of competition for few publishing
slots. Do everything you can to make
sure that one of those slots is yours.
Now it’s your turn.
What’s additional advice do you have?
Previously presented at the Ruby Slippered-Sisterhood Blog and MFW eMuse
