The COVID pandemic has changed everything, and the world of writer’s conferences are no exception. With that being said, many conferences have pivoted to doing things online, and they can still be a terrific resource for authors at all stages of their writing and publishing journeys. (Poets & Writers Magazine has a great database of conferences and residencies – check them out.)
Here are some of my best tips for making the most of your writer’s conference experience – full disclaimer, a lot of my suggestions may seem more applicable to in-person events, but they also apply to events done virtually:
Before
Pick the right conference. While anything can be a learning experience, nonfiction authors might think twice about attending a romance writing conference, and a romance author might think twice about attending a fantasy/science fiction conference.)
Understand the pricing. What all is included? A conference might be cheap (or free) but might not have all that much to offer, while a pricier conference might give you access to agents and editors through pitch sessions, including meals, and so on. Pricier isn’t always better; just be an informed consumer!!
Take a good look at the selection of workshops. Do they fit your goals/interests?
Will you have access to industry professionals? Will literary agents and editors be attending? Will you be able to network with successful, published authors?
Will pitch sessions be available? If so, definitely take advantage of the opportunity to practice your pitching and to get feedback on your project from someone(s) in the know. Research each editor/agent beforehand to make sure they are interested in projects like yours, however.
Be an early bird. It usually pays to buy your tickets and make your reservations in advance. Plus, if you've already made a commitment, it's less likely that you will back out!
During
Be an early bird again. Arrive early to snag the best seat, for additional opportunities to network, and to be able to just relax and fully immerse yourself in the experience.
Bring business cards. It’s so much easier to hand someone something with your contact information on it than to dictate it to them or to write it down in a rush. These don’t have to be super flashy, just something with your name, contact information, and potentially some information about your book.
Have a plan, but remain flexible. Print the schedule out and have your itinerary in place, but let yourself remain open to new opportunities.
Be brave. NETWORK. I'm an introvert myself, so small talk and networking doesn't always feel like a walk in the park for me, but it is worth it! Also, if you are hoping to get anything out of your interactions with agents, editors, or instructors, you can't afford to be a wallflower. Take this opportunity to shine and celebrate your book.
Participate. Yes, this is another example of being brave, but it’s so important to ask questions if you have them. Conferences can be such a great opportunity to learn and grow, and you should take full advantage of that.
Be prepared. Always have an extra charger or battery pack, snacks, a bottle of water, etc. Some sessions run long, or opportunities arise, and it's better to be ready instead of scrambling.
Have extras. Of your query letter, your book proposal, your first 30 pages, etc. Yes, you can always email people, but you never know who is going to want a hard copy of something.
Be professional. If you have pitch sessions, arrive on time and be prepared. Be polite and don’t hassle anybody if they’re not as into your book project as you think they should be. On the flip side, don’t ingratiate yourself, either. Just be calm, cool, collected, and genuine.
Be open-minded. While you might not land the book deal you dreamed of, realize that you may have gained quite a bit. You might have new friends/connections, new ideas for your manuscript, and so on.
After
Send any requested manuscripts/proposals in a timely fashion. This should be a no-brainer – if someone wants to read your writing, send it as soon as you can. Agents and editors dozens to hundreds of submissions a week; you don’t want to get lost in the shuffle.
Send your thank you notes. If anyone has given you a business card, you should absolutely drop them an email – a short and sweet one – to say thank you for meeting with you.
Reach out to new writer friends. If you’ve made a connection, it’s worth keeping that going. Send an email, a friend request with a note, etc.
Set goals for yourself. Attending the writers conference should have given you some good inspiration and motivation – now is the time to make your writing and publishing dreams into realities!
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