Writers’ conferences are an essential learning and networking tool for aspiring authors. It’s an opportunity to learn from the pros, garner new writing techniques, meet agents and editors, and pitch a novel.
As scary as that all may sound, good manners at a conference are basically the same as they are at any professional writers’ gathering or other business function. Keeping a few tips in mind will help a writer to get the most out of the experience.
Plan Before the Conference to do Research
When choosing a writers conference, one needs to keep in mind the goal or purpose for attending. Perhaps one goal is to meet literary agents and editors. If so, find out who is attending in advance. Do some research about the presenters.
Most conference schedules include links to the presenters’ blogs, websites, or agency home pages. If a meeting with an agent is planned, find out what type of fiction the agent is looking for. Don’t try to pitch something to an agent that he or she doesn’t represent.
Remember that agents and editors are regular people, just like everyone else. They have feelings and they expect to be treated politely. This would mean that if they are in the restroom or on the way to give a presentation, they probably don’t want to talk. Agent stalking is a bad thing.
Respect the fact that they are busy, and look for an opening when they aren’t in a rush or a crush of people. Since that can be hard to do, agents often schedule one-on-one meetings with writers in advance of the conference.
Also, if there are big name authors on the schedule, plan to attend their seminars. One can learn as much or more from a presentation by one of these authors as in a writer’s class. Keeping cell phones and other electronic equipment set on silent will allow others to enjoy the presentation as well.
Checklist of Things to Bring to a Writers' Conference
Coming prepared means several things. One is doing research ahead of time, as mentioned in the section above. In addition, writers should bring these things to a conference:
- Business cards with contact information. Remembering the aphorism “a picture tells a thousand words,” having a photo headshot on a business card can help jog an agent’s memory after the conference.
- A prepared one or two line pitch. If getting a pitch ready is daunting, this article about querying may help, as will the book, Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder.
- A one page synopsis of one’s novel. Don’t foist it on the agent or editor unless asked for it.
- The first 50 pages of one’s novel. Again, don’t foist it on the agent unless asked for it.
- The complete manuscript of the novel or the ability to send it immediately by email while still at the conference. Kristen Nelson, owner of Nelson Literary Agency, once mentioned that she loves it when a client can send the file to her right away while they are still at the conference. Finally, and once again, don’t send it unless asked for it.
How to Dress at a Writers' Conference
Writers’ retreats tend to be days of long hours with plenty of sitting and standing. Therefore, choose comfortable clothing. However, torn jeans and comfy t-shirts are a bit too casual. Dress professionally, but in clothes that wont’ be too wrinkled or crumpled after a long day.
In summary, to get the most out of a conference, practice politeness and common sense. Dress appropriately for the venue and time of year. Do research ahead of time. Give agents and editors their space to do their jobs of presenting, and schedule appointments with them. If an impromptu meeting should occur, be ready with a pitch and a business card. Use the conference as a way to network, relax, and get to know other writers.
For more information, see this article on How to Choose the Best Writers' Conferences.
Suzanne Pitner - Suzanne Pitner is a teacher and published writer. A member of RWA and YARWA, she writes fiction as Suzanne Lilly.
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