Tonight the registration form goes live for The Write Stuff Writers Conference the end of March. I will be printing it, filling it out and mailing it first thing tomorrow...hoping to guarantee that I get my 10 minutes with the agent I want, Kim Lionetti at Bookends.
So, I need everyone's best conference advice!!! Please please please share!!!!
I'll be taking my laptop, of course. But what else should I bring??? Do people bring tape recorders to record workshops/lectures?
Is it standard to go up to agents during social functions at the conference?? There is a Welcome reception the first night. I so do not want to aggravate anyone or perform a conference faux pas. I already know not to follow people into bathrooms or do other annoying things! LOL!
How on Earth do I stay calm while pitching to the agent during my session??? I already get butterflies just thinking about it!! I don't want to say the wrong thing or sound completely moronic.
I am very excited about this! I have wanted to attend a conference for a while now...but the big ones were way out of my price range. This one is very reasonable. Luckily I have a writer friend to split accommodations with, so all in all- fees, gas money, food money, hotel, the total cost will be less than some of the entrance fees to the bigger conferences.
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Congrats!!!! I would offer my advice but I have no idea what to do since I have never been to one. Either way grats! and I hope you will update us after.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Emma
Thanks for stopping by!!! I will definitely update everyone...I will have my laptop, so there may be some play by play posts that weekend!
ReplyDeleteI went to the writer's conference here in Dallas last year and it was so much fun and so worth the money. I didn't pitch because I didn't have a fully polished book yet, but I talked to a few people who did pitch. All said the agents were very nice.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't stalk the agents during social functions and such, but it is appropriate (i think) after they do a workshop or sit on a panel to go up and ask questions and such (but don't talk about ur work unless they ask).
Hope you have fun! And good luck with ur pitch!
Oh my gosh, I LOVE conferences. They always leave you so inspired. I usually just take a notebook and pen. Some workshops have handouts.
ReplyDeleteAs for pitching, I have yet to do that. I've had manuscripts critiqued and it was extremely helpful (and they were kind). Don't be afraid. Pretend the agent is one of your blogging friends who you haven't met but who already loves you. ;)
Winged Writer
Oh, I wish I had the right advice. I haven't had the opportunity to attend a writer's conference, yet. Hopefully one day! Have tons of fun, take good notes so you can fill us all in!! :)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all... Conferences are awesome! Be open minded and friendly. Also... I did my first pitch last year and was nervous as heck, but it actually went really well! I pitched to two agents and both of them asked for pages! I did a post about 6 months ago. Check it out for my advice on pitching: http://valeriegeary.blogspot.com/2009/08/in-which-i-wax-eloquently-part-3-pitch.html
ReplyDeleteAnd above all... Be yourself and HAVE FUN!!! :)
Thanks everyone!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't have much advice since I went to my one and only writer's conference as a young teen.. thirteen or fourteen. My overwhelming impression was of being uncomfortable with the adoration unpublished authors showered on the big-name speakers who were there. Maybe that was just my teenage angst, though.
ReplyDeleteI really want to go to another -- I'd actually consider this one if I didn't have a wedding to be at the same weekend!
I'm so excited for you! You'll have a blast at the conference!
ReplyDeleteI've pitched, and it's kind of fun and nerve-wracking at the same time! I look forward to hearing what you think of it! My advice would be to go someplace quiet beforehand to get calm and look over your pitch so it's fresh in your mind--without making yourself sound canned. And show up a couple minutes early so you're not flustered when you get there--and so you're on time. Try and have fun with it; it's a learning experience. Also, all the agents I've met have been kind. They understand that it's kind of scary. :)
P.S. - Realize it's totally normal to feel nervous. Be proud of yourself for going for it!
ReplyDeleteWould it be proper to down a few glasses of wine before my pitch??? That might calm the nerves!! LOL!!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, you are too funny! Uh, I wouldn't recommend the wine until AFTER the pitch. ;) Keep in mind that my advice is what I've learned--I have in no way mastered pitching, though I've improved. (Bless those first couple of agents...) My friends and I individually used our shared hotel room as our quiet place.
ReplyDelete