I’ve long wished that there were a “Dummy’s Guide to Writing
Conferences.” Over most of my writing
career, I’ve attended these conferences—both national and regional—and found
that they can be both an amazing networking opportunity and a confusing maze of
information.
Let’s talk the “big”
ones first.
The national conferences can be overwhelming. Lots of editors and agents. Tons of published authors. Hordes of attendees. So, here’s what I do: the day that I arrive, I always go through
the schedule and pick out the “latest news” editor and agent panels and, then,
the published author workshops. The good
news: I have found the agents and
editors are VERY approachable and interested in talking with authors. The bad news:
Their publishing houses may not be adding new authors. Nevertheless, it’s worth scheduling a “pitch”
session, both with an editor and an agent
whose house publishes the type of book that you write. It’s good practice to craft a five-minute
speed pitch for your work. And, most of
the time, they will request to see a partial or full manuscript. Talk to everyone. Make friends.
Go to the cocktail parties—always fun.
But don’t overlook
the regional conferences.
There are fewer people.
You can meet the editors and agents at breakfast, chat with published
authors at lunch, and make friends at dinner.
The workshops are also more closely-knit, giving you opportunities to
pick the brains of authors who’ve “been there; done that.” I’ve made life-long friends and met my agent
at regional conferences (and they’re less expensive!).
Here are a few tips to
keep in mind:
- Be friendly and
professional.
- Attend lots and lots of
workshops.
- Hang out in the “common
spaces” like the bar (tough job).
- Don’t be afraid to talk to
editors and agents in the elevator—I’ve had some of best conversations
here.
- Take notes for your own
Dummy’s Guide.
- Enjoy!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Marty Ambrose has been a writer most her life, consumed with the world of literature from the time she first read Agatha Christie mysteries and British Romantic poetry. Marty pursued her undergraduate and graduate degrees in English, both in the U.S. and the U.K. so she could teach students at Florida Southwestern State College about the writers that she so admired. Three decades later, she is still teaching and has enjoyed a writing career that has spanned almost fifteen years, with eight published novels for Avalon Books, Kensington Books, and Thomas & Mercer. Marty Ambrose lives in Florida with her husband, ex- news anchor Jim McLaughlin. She plans to travel to Italy in the Fall to research A Shadowed Fate, the next book in the trilogy.
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