Words Per Mile

A week ago today I had the pleasure of attending the Philadelphia Writer’s Day Workshop, essentially a one-day writing conference. It was a great event, and much less of a financial and logistical headache than other multi-day conferences I’ve attended in the past. There are similar event all around the United States, so if you’re just dipping your toe into writing conferences, this could be a great place to start.

While I was there, I was thinking about the tips I wish someone had given me beforehand. When you sign up for a conference, you’ll be given some general bullet points about a dress code and what to bring, and you can find all kinds of articles online telling you about how to pitch an agent, conference etiquette, etc. But here are a few things I haven’t seen mentioned elsewhere:

• Pack Light: Obviously bring your essentials, but leave room in your bag. Not only will you be given papers and cards and more, but as a writer, you’re probably going to be tempted by the indie bookseller that’s set up a table in the corner and stays there all. Day. Every. Day.
• Bring Business Cards: Lots of writers at these conferences have business cards, and they’re a fun, inexpensive way to show off your brand and connect with others. I designed mine on VistaPrint and got 100 cards for around $20, and I’m still handing them out a year later. Plus, my mom loves having one.
• Network!: This is implied by the above and said everywhere, but seriously. Talk to EVERYONE. Talk to the person next to you, the guy at the registration table, etc. Everyone is there because they’re weird and love books, and you never know who you’re going to meet.

• If You Want to Ask Questions, Get There Early: Some of the panels will get a LOT of questions. If you’re attending a panel because you have a particular burning question on the topic, get there a little early and sit where the presenter will definitely see your hand when it’s time for Q&A.
• If You Want to Ask Questions, Google Them First: I’ve seen presenters get visibly frustrated when people ask basic questions or yes/no questions that have hard and fast and Googleable answers. It’s harsh but it’s true. People spend a lot of money on these conferences to increase their slim odds of getting published, and both presenters and attendees want all parts of the panel to be worth their time.

• Don’t Be Scared of Presenters!: No one is presenting at a writing conference as part of their parole agreement–everyone there signed up and wants to be there. Sometimes (usually right after a session) presenters are bombarded with conference-goers asking questions, and it may not be the right moment to say hello. But if you run into them later on, or if they provide their personal email and invite contact, don’t be afraid! The worst they can do is not respond. I had a lovely time talking with one of the panelists at a conference I attended last year–we exchanged book recommendations and email addresses at the end of it, too.

• Consider Whether Pitching is Worth it: Obviously if you have a complete manuscript and there’s an agent there that fits what you need, go for it! But don’t pitch just to pitch. Not only does pitching almost always involve an extra fee, but schedules are usually randomly assigned throughout the day(s), so if you’re pitching you can count on missing at least one session. Do it if it’s write (ha!) for you, but don’t feel like you need to pitch just because you’re attending.

• Wear Comfy Shoes: Saving my most important tip for last! No one is looking at your feet at a writer’s conference. No one. Your most important conversations are almost guaranteed to happen across a table with everyone sitting down. Dress nice and in a way that makes you feel good, but make sure your feet feel good, too.

That’s everything I have for now–I’m hoping to attend more conferences in the future! Is there anything I missed that you think is critical for a good writing conference? Drop a comment or send me an email!