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Tag: writing conferences

  • The Ultimate Guide to Rocking Your Next Writing Convention

    The Ultimate Guide to Rocking Your Next Writing Convention

    Not only is summer a great time for lemonade, indulging in the fine art of hammocking and working outdoors, but it’s also prime time for writing conventions and conferences.

    How do you turn a conference into a career-boosting event?

    Follow these tips to prepare, fully utilize a conference, and then follow up afterwards for the most success.

    Before the conference

    Spend some time preparing before you go to the conference. Take some time to figure out the lay of the land, what’s going on, who you’ll want to meet, and what you’ll need to have with you in order to maximize your conference time.

    • Be prepared. Before you go, spend some time going through the schedule and program materials, which are often available online ahead of time. Figure out which sessions you are most interested in attending, sign up for a critique session or two if you can and see which speakers you’d like to listen to.
    • See who is attending. Many conferences will tell you which agents and editors are attending ahead of time. Some may even provide a list of fellow attendees. It might be worth your time to do a bit of Googling and find out a little bit about the people who will be there. See if there is anyone you would really like to meet, whether they’re an author you admire or someone working on a similar project. Then, make a point to find them and say hello during the conference.
    • Make sure you have what you need with you. Whether you’re traveling out of town or attending a hometown conference, go prepared each day. Wear comfortable shoes since you’ll likely be walking a bit between sessions and meals. Bring a light jacket or sweater, a water bottle, snacks, notebook, pens, a sturdy bag to carry all the materials you’ll acquire — including the program guide and materials, session handouts, and any books you purchase — as well as a thick stack of your business cards.

    During the conference

    While you’re at the conference, make the most of the opportunity and maximize your time there. Use your pre-conference prep to make the most of your experience, but always leave room for serendipity.

    • Experiment. When you’re at the conference, try and check out a little of everything. Even if you think a poetry reading or young adult author talk isn’t really your thing, give it a try. Spend most of your time focused on your prime interests, but make a point to branch out and try something new as well. It’s a great opportunity to dip a toe into a new field and learn a little more without having to make a commitment.
    • Be flexible. While it’s useful to have a plan for your schedule, stay flexible to allow for new opportunities. If you wanted to attend an agent panel but instead find yourself invited out to lunch with a crew of fascinating authors, it’s okay change your plans. Be open to the serendipity that happens at conferences.
    • Bring your business cards. When you’re out meeting people, be sure to exchange cards. When you receive a business card, take a couple minutes as soon as you can to make a few notes on it. Write down who the person is, where you know them from, and any “topics of interest” like if they’re also working on a historical novel from the same era you are or they’re going to be visiting your hometown in the fall. You might think you’ll commit it all to memory, but the flurry of faces and facts  you’ll encounter during the conference are very easy to mix up, especially once you’re back home.
    • Keep your receipts. When you’re out and about meeting new people, be sure to keep your receipts. Ask your tax preparer whether you can deduct conference fees, travel expenses, materials, and even meals as a business expense.

    After you get home

    The great part about writer’s conferences is that they don’t end when you get home. You’ll leave with knowledge, ideas, inspiration and hopefully some new contacts.

    What should you do when you return from a writer’s conference?

    • Don’t procrastinate. Resist the temptation to shove your notebook and stack of newly acquired business cards in a closet and get back to it when you “have time.” Sure, your work has been piling up while you’ve been conferencing. But if you let the conference learning end the second you get home, you’re not taking full advantage of this great opportunity.
    • Take action. Take some time soon after you return home to go through your notes, contacts, and conference material. See what you’ve highlighted or made a note about. Turn these into action items. Make a list of conference “to dos”, put them on your calendar, and bribe yourself with ice cream (or whatever it takes) for checking at least a few of them off your list.
    • Use your business cards as a tool. And what do you do with that pocket full of business cards? First, scan the cards or take a photo and back them up to the cloud. It’s easy to lose cards, but if you have the information saved somewhere, you’ll be able to refer to it when needed.
    • Stay in touch. Then reach out. And do it soon before it slips your mind or before you forget who they are (or vice versa). Send a short and friendly email saying you enjoyed meeting them at the conference, and maybe offer to connect them with the editor friend you mentioned over tuna salad. Then, connect on social media to stay up-to-date with each other.
    • Don’t overdo it. That doesn’t mean liking or commenting on everything they post — that can be creepy. But every writer appreciates when you re-Tweet an occasional post or share one of their stories with your followers once in a while. If you have some like-minded conference peers, you could even see if they’re interested in starting an online writer’s group.
    • Reach out to editors and agents ASAP. Conferences also make it possible to connect with editors and agents. If you’ve made a connection, reach out quickly before they forget about you and your manuscript. Follow up with them and if they’ve requested your novel or proposal, be sure to send it right away.
    • Reflect. After the conference, take some time to reflect on what worked well and what you’d like to do differently next time. You can use this reflection to make your next conference even better.

    All ready to head to a writing conference?

    Check out this list of writing conferences or, if you’re looking for a conference with international flair, check out these international conferences.

  • 10 Handy Conversation Starters for Introverted Writers

    10 Handy Conversation Starters for Introverted Writers

    Anyone who thrives in the solitary act of writing probably has some difficulty networking.

    Once you finally come out of your focus tunnel for air, it can be hard to articulate what you’re working on and what it means for your overall career.

    It’s even worse if you’re a full-time something-elser and a freelance writer on the side.

    Not only are you hustling nearly nonstop; you also probably lack the time to get to writing-related events in your community. When you finally do make it to a reading or a happy hour, the pressure makes you clam up — and maybe use your phone as a crutch to avoid conversation altogether.

    Networking is hard, especially when you have multiple roles

    When I attended my first major conference after settling into life as a full-timer with a tiny desk and an ever-growing list of projects, I had a terrible case of impostor syndrome.

    I could talk about my day job just fine, but I knew the conference — the American Society of Journalists and Authors — would be primarily attended by full-time freelancers.

    The temptation was great to sit in the back row and scroll through Twitter as I waited for every session to begin.

    But as the conference kicked off, I found more and more business cards in my pocket. As I crisscrossed the exhibition hall to get to different talks, I found myself smiling and nodding to people I had met earlier in the day.

    No, I was not doing cartwheels in the hall or waiting next to the women’s room to pounce on attendees when they were least expecting it. (Remember, this guide is for introverts, and I am one of them. I might be president of the Introvert Writer Club.)

    Let me share with you a few of my favorite networking tricks. And by tricks, I mean, regular tips and conversation starters people use all the time, but you might forget about when you’re nervous.

    You have an elevator pitch, right?

    You cannot go to any event, conference, convention, happy hour, reading or grocery run without knowing how to describe your work if someone asks.

    Since your workload and mission can change frequently, it’s important to practice your short career spiel before you’re standing in front of a curious stranger.

    Practice in front of your partner, the cat or the bathroom mirror. Doesn’t matter. Just practice.

    Here’s mine, as proof your pitch doesn’t have to be the most exciting thing in the world:

    “I’m a personal finance writer at my day job, but I only recently took that full-time position after five years as a freelancer. I still do some freelancing on the side, like some content marketing work for nonprofits and a few personal essays here and there.”

    Like I said, not exciting. But it gives you an idea of how I spend my writing time — and provides plenty of opportunity to take the conversation further.

    Conversation starters for introverted writers

    Rarely will you be asked to give your career summary on demand. Most of the time, it’s up to you to approach someone new to make a professional connection.

    Some good openers if you’re standing in line at a conference reception bar, choosing a table for a lunch keynote or milling about aimlessly in the registration area:

    • “Have you been to this conference before?”
    • “How long have you been a member of this organization?”
    • “What have you found to be the biggest benefit of your membership/participation?”
    • “Are you local, or did you travel for the event?”
    • “Have you decided which sessions you’re going to go to this afternoon?”

    If you’re new to a writing organization and you’re especially lucky, you’ll be given a name tag that indicates your newbie status. Not only did other new members approach me in solidarity; more experienced members of the association often spoke up simply to welcome me.

    Name tags can be the worst, but they can also be the best conversation starters.

    What if you’re feeling a little more subdued? Turning to the people to the right or left of you as you’re waiting for an event to start can be just as productive as actively networking with gusto.

    If you’ve ever gone to a networking event with the goal of “I just have to meet one new person and then I can go home,” these conversation starters are for you:

    • Simply smile. You do not have to show all your teeth. A small grin is often enough to invite another introvert to sit next to you.
    • “Have you heard this speaker before?”
    • “What made you choose this session/event?”
    • “I’m thinking of reading XYZ (whatever’s highlighted in the program you’re probably clutching). Have you read it?”
    • “Have you ever been to this venue before?”

    If you hit it off, you can throw in any of the questions above. If not, I give you full permission to scroll through Twitter until the event begins.

    Just be ready to try again next time.

    Writers, share your favorite conversation starters in the comments below. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, share your elevator pitch!

  • Want to Speak at Writing Conventions? How to Write a Great Pitch

    Want to Speak at Writing Conventions? How to Write a Great Pitch

    As publisher-backed press tours dwindle in an uncertain publishing age, authors are asked to do more to sell their books.

    But whether you’ve penned the latest undiscovered bestseller or dabble in more academic fare, writers and book professionals of all stripes can find new audiences for their work through an often-overlooked venue.

    Literary festivals and conferences are a wonderful way to target market your writing while networking with other writers, publishers, and agents — especially for authors promoting a first book, freelance journalists looking for exposure or academics searching for exposure outside the classroom. Plus, most festivals and conferences are tremendous fun, with author parties and free access to other events.

    “As an editor and writing mentor, I’m grateful for literary festivals as places I’ve connected with brave writers in need of support, which means the opportunity to do more of the work I love,” says author, developmental editor and writing coach Jen Violi.

    As Violi points out, literary events are a wonderful way to find your tribe and garner more business.

    So how do aspiring presenters get started?

    Many festivals and conferences are open to unsolicited proposals, and writers of every genre and type can find a way to get on the dais as part of a panel if they know what steps to take.

    Some conferences, like The Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP), have a strictly structured submission process that even has its own handbook. But there are dozens of literary festivals in the North America alone, many of which are programmed by understaffed nonprofits who welcome a well-crafted proposal.

    As the former Associate Director of the The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival and an executive director of an arts center, I’ve seen firsthand how unknown-to-me authors who understand the process of programming a festival can persuade me to give them a chance.

    The problem is that many writers don’t know how to present themselves in a way that makes it easy for festival or conference staff to say yes. Below are a few tips for those who want to make the most of their marketing opportunities at literary events.

    1. Do your research

    Of course, it’s best if you can attend a festival first to get an idea of the atmosphere and make in-person connections with the organizers — but doing so isn’t always possible.

    If you haven’t attended before, make sure to research the event guidelines. Many organizations offer an FAQ or author page that provides guidelines for submitting ideas for their upcoming events.

    Be certain to look for these before you craft a proposal. If you don’t see anything, you can email program staff to see if they have a preferred method and format.

    Browse past years’ offerings to get a sense of the focus of the the festival or conference. If you’d like to talk about your latest memoir but see that the previous year offered a similar panel, develop another angle. If all the events are aimed at an edgy, younger crowd, don’t spin yourself as a boring fuddy-duddy.

    Some festivals are genre specific, like Travel Classics, which only deals with travel writers who have an established reputation. Knowing the event and its audience assures not only that you might get a green light to take part, but also that your appearance will be well-received by attendees.

    That success leads to sales and other opportunities.

    2. Plan ahead

    Many literary festivals and conferences set their schedules up to a year in advance. If you’ve got a session topic that you think might be perfect, you can always try to submit in the hopes of a last-minute cancellation; but you’ll have far more success if you start early.

    Some organizations have specific proposal submission periods, so again, research and tailoring are key. Timely submissions are another way of showing programming staff that you respect the hard work it takes to pull off events like these.

    3. Craft a pitch that persuades

    Don’t say, “I’m a great writer with a new book coming out and I’d like to come to your event.”

    Instead, provide a brief bio (really, one paragraph should suffice) and then suggest a panel you think fits well with the organization’s programs.

    Think like a journalist: Create a succinct pitch that compels organizers to see how your topic might work at their event. The more complete your proposal, the more likely you are to advance in the process.

    Many literary festivals look for a wide variety of content, so if you don’t write mainstream fiction, don’t be dissuaded from pitching a great idea.

    Some of The Tennessee Williams Festival’s most fascinating panels have come from academics exploring leprosy or literary theory. Remember, festival staff want smart, new ideas that come fully formed.

    Cookbook author? Propose a session where you tell the stories behind a few choice recipes, offer tastes to the audience, and share tips on getting a cookbook published. Such an event appeals to foodies and aspiring Ina Gartens alike.

    Think about what you would like to see at a literary event or conference and move beyond the staid and well-worn topics to offer fresh insight.

    4. Be specific, but flexible

    Sometimes, even if you have a terrific idea, the staff simply has no more room on the schedule grid.

    Most festivals and conferences take place at venues with strictly limited space and time. As part of your pitch, let staff know what other topics you can speak to. They may not have room for your particular idea, but have an extra seat on a panel that’s already committed.

    Alternately, you may become more attractive if staff can place you in several events. So if you’re an academic that wrote a book about feminist theory, but you also edit a literary magazine, let them know about your versatility.

    5. Be upfront about your financial needs

    Many nonprofit literary festivals operate on tremendously tight budgets with top honoraria reserved for big-name draws. If you need airfare and hotel in order to come and expect an honorarium of a certain dollar level, then be upfront about it.

    If organizers pay $100 for a panel appearance but you want $2,000, it’s not worth it for anyone to proceed. But if you’re flexible, mention that — and keep in mind that many festivals and conferences pay nothing or offer only small travel reimbursements.

    “The key is to estimate ROI,” says Matt Peters, writer and founder of Beating Windward Press. “Will you make more from the exposure than it will cost you to get to and participate in the [event]?”

    Peters says that even some unpaid conference appearances have ended up as wins and have helped him make contact with new authors, publishers and agents.

    Some writers can look outside the festival or conference for funding. Many universities offer travel grants or stipends for academics to attend events. Perhaps you have another partnership in mind that would share in the costs.

    Writing is a business, so think like a businessperson and present yourself as a smart buy.

    6. Build your portfolio

    All writers need to be comfortable with rejection, and you may not get into to every festival to which you apply.

    Don’t take it personally.

    While many organizations have some wiggle room in the number of new voices they can feature, it may not be your year. However, you can still gain exposure by going local. Before jumping into the bigger waters of major literary events, get comfortable on smaller stages.

    Reach out to your local library to ask if they’d like you to do a talk or a discussion. Inquire at your area arts center to see if they offer workshops or events from writers, and pitch a program there.

    Doing smaller-scale events will help you be more at ease once you get to the most prestigious stages, and if you have a friend film them, you can offer a quick clip to the bigger festivals when you pitch (just make sure you have participants sign a waiver so you can use the footage).

    So get going, writers. By taking the time to create a well-tailored idea, you may just get the chance to go interesting places, meet fascinating people and sell more of your own work.

    To get you started, here are some links to a few great literary festivals:

    And some international biggies:

    Have you spoken at a literary event? What tips would you add for aspiring conference speakers?