I have been on the faculty of nearly 200 writers conferences over the years. Some might say that is the definition of insanity… !?! But I would not be where I am today if it were not for the fine people I have met over the years at those events. I am a firm believer in the purpose behind a writers conference and what can be accomplished.
After a while it became clear which writers were going to have a successful conference and those who weren’t. Let’s look at some tips to achieve conference success.
1. Set Appropriate Expectations. More often than not, first-timers have visions of grandeur, thinking they are going to be “discovered” and in short order would be flying in a private jet paid for by their publisher.
It has happened (not the jet part), but it is so rare they can be counted on one hand. It is wise to set expectations very low. Likely you will meet a couple of editors. You will get to practice your pitch a few times. But you will learn a lot of new things from the classes and from listening to others talk about the writing profession.
2. Be Prepared. You never know when you will suddenly be confronted with that agent or editor you’ve always wanted to meet but couldn’t get an appointment with. I have experienced it firsthand, watching recognition flow across the writer’s face … accompanied by their sudden inability to talk coherently.
Remember, we agents and editors want to meet and talk with new writers. Otherwise, we would not be at the conference! We want to talk to you! Don’t worry that you’ve been caught off guard; but if we do ask, “What are you working on?” be prepared to answer. You can even say, “You want to hear my sound-bite pitch?” Of course, we do. Take a deep breath and let ’er rip.
Understand that a writers conference is a safe place to fail. Your pitch may be poorly framed. Your idea may need to be reworked. Your pet project may be an echo of one that we just sold to a publisher. That is okay. See #1 above. If you set your expectations to zero, hitting a 1 on a scale of 1-10 (where 1 is the bottom) is a victory, no matter how small.
3. Keep a Positive Attitude. Don’t let your anxiety, lack of sleep, jet lag, or information overload ruin your experience.
I once stood behind two women who were arguing about which one would get the last appointment left on the schedule–with me. I had come to the table to see what the appointment schedule was like and came upon this potentially ugly scene. They were starting to do a little hip-checking at each other and angrily saying things like “I drove six hours to get here to see him and I got here first.” The conference had not even started yet, and two people were already on edge.
I leaned in, lightly touched their shoulders, and said, “Maybe I can help.” One of them turned pale and wide-eyed. The other turned beet red. We all laughed nervously and figured out a way where they both could have an appointment.
Remember that while you are in public, there are eyes that may see you in action. Eyes that see how you treat conference staff or hotel staff or restaurant employees.
You have invested a lot of time and a lot of money to attend the conference. But while that is true, keeping a light heart and a willing smile will make the experience so much more enjoyable.
4. Ours Is a Small Industry. If you are going to regale those around your lunch table about how awful your editor is at So&So Publishers, be aware that there are others within earshot of your tale.
Awful rumors can start at conferences. I once had an editor call to find out why I was shutting down the agency; he thought we were successful. ??? After stammering for a moment, I had to ask, “Whatever gave you that impression?” It seems he had overheard someone at a conference saying something to that effect. I was quick to correct his error. I’m grateful he called to verify the veracity of the story and had not spread the rumor.
Remember that we agents and editors know one another, some with relationships that go back many decades. And we do talk to one another on occasion. So, be careful with your words and your complaints. Often what you say is not heard with precision, and the new version becomes the story that is retold.
Your Turn
Any secrets of success you want to add?
I found conference success
when I happened on a useful tool,
to wit, the art of being blessed
by looking oh, so very cool
with my sideburns and my shades,
black Guess? Jeans, so very tight,
jaw that saw no razor blades
since the previous Monday night.
I talked the talk and walked the walk,
and people became acolytes
and hung on ’till the ticking clock
reminded them this night of nights
had a deadline they must keep
for even Elvis needs his sleep.
***
It was another life and another profession, and the fact that I had a following had to be pointed out to me. I was just being myself, and was, frankly, shocked…and a bit horrified.
You were an Elvis impersonator, Andrew? haha! I. Love. It.
Even if you weren’t, it’s fun to imagine!
Pam, it was a while back, and Elvis has left the building…
…but he’s here 24/7 to ‘inspire’ Barb.
I did wear blue suede shoes for our Vegas wedding. In a helicopter, over the Strip. At night.
Interesting fingerprint of God here…Barb made up her mind to marry me only if I could get a Catholic priest. I didn’t know that condition, but guess who was flying the bird? Priests don’t make much money, so some moonlight, and this dude had flown Snakes in The Southeast Asian Games before going to the seminary.
An Elvis-impersonator poet…
this sounds like a character idea XP
Allie, go for it! I would be SO HONOURED.
I do need a host of side characters for this latest book… *wanders off to make some notes*
I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE I AM GOING TO FIT THIS.
But I’m gonna fit it somewhere
***
“That’s Melvis.”
Peter eyed the strange Elvis-impersator standing in front of them. “What’s his ability?”
“No one is really sure. Mimicry? Illusionist?” Curt shrugged. “Whatever it is, he can change what his face looks like at will. He never wears his real one.”
He blinked. “So he just… chooses to impersonate Elvis all the time?”
“Pretty much. Oh and he speaks in rhyme all the time so do not strike up a conversation with him unless you want to get caught in a poetry war.” Curt shoveled in a mouthful of mashed potatoes.
“What’s his call sign?”
His friend nearly choked. “You’re kidding me, right? What do you think?”
Peter glanced back at Melvis, who was trying to rhyme with “orange” in a spot-on Elvis voice. “Ah. “
This overview of conference success tips is helpful.
When I finished seminary and finished writing my first book, I immediately thought to promote it at a conference. My goal was to find a traditional publisher. Being between jobs, I anguished particularly over securing business cards. What would they read, absent a school or employer to cite?
The conference went well. I hung out in the book displays, introducing myself to each of the publishers. I had my elevator speech and business cards handy. It was harder attending sessions because I was anxious and quickly bored with the academic presentations.
Before the conference was over, I found several publishers prepared to follow up with me. A contract soon followed.
The contract proved to be a deal breaker. Reading through, I did not know what what to look for. I ran it by an attorney and she focused my attention quickly. The contract specified what I would do (edit and promote), but was silent on what the publisher would do. When I asked the publisher about the lack of detail on what they would do, the contract was withdrawn.
Frustrated with my experience, I launched my own small publishing company. I still run my projects by agents, but at this point I remain self-published. Needless to say, my conference attendance has focused on local conferences that help keep my travel expenses to a minimum.
I am curious–At what point I should re-evaluate my conference strategy?
So far I’ve only been to three in person conferences. One of them I got to practice pitch to an acquisitions editor, and unfortunately something must have happened in the instructions getting crosswired. I spent hours perfecting a synopsis and two chapters (which I was told we were supposed to bring) and she never even looked at them. I didn’t really want to traditionally publish that project in the end, but I was so nervous that I couldn’t even look the editor in the eye and was so frazzled from everything that it took everything I had not to burst into tears on the spot (I was also still catching up on sleep because of pulling an overnighter to GET to the conference– note to self, do not schedule important appointments when you are low on sleep and your Asperger’s is at the brink of flaying your nerves to pieces. It doesn’t help that there was no one in the hall and being completely alone with a stranger, even for fifteen minutes, spurred a thousand phantom anxieties in my head that had me glancing at the door every five minutes. I probably looked like I wanted to bolt out of there).
Afterwards the editor had a talk about pitching (which, I wish I knew what the topics were beforehand, because I would have scheduled my appointment AFTER that talk *shakes head*) and explained how much confidence in the project was key. I spent part of THAT talk in the back trying not to cry and kicking myself for not being more confident in my story. Now I know it for next time. I also realized that I needed a script, because even though I can write out my thoughts well, explaining it by mouth without prewritten scripting is just asking for me to get jumbled up, distracted, and waste time with ADHD-based rambling XD.
I have 3 pieces of advice to add:
1. get as much rest as possible before you leave for a conference.
2. study the websites of the publishers or agencies before a conference. If possible, get a few books (newest releases) to read before you choose who you want to meet with. That will help you know if what you have might fit into their line.
3. it’s okay to make an appointment to ask advice instead of pitching an idea. I’ve done that a lot, and sometimes, it’s a better use for appointment time. Which is SHORT!
And now my success story (it’s long, but I hope it’s encouraging):
The first conference I ever attended was Sandy Cove in 1997. I didn’t even know what a writers conference was. I got a postcard in the mail about it (why, I have no idea) and called to ask about it. Gayle Roper was the director than. She explained it and offered me and my best friend, Kim Sponaugle, who is an illustrator, a partial scholarship. Our church paid the rest.
We went, excited about showing off our full color dummy book for a picture book series.
I took a beginning writers continuing session with Shirley Brinkerhoff (she was wonderful!) and left realizing I knew NOTHING about writing. haha! But Kim & I also met with Christine Tangvald (she was wonderful, too!) and she was so excited about us as a team, and she loved our story, that she gave us three letters of recommendation to three publishing houses.
Marlene Bagnull (who was my first mentor after that Sandy Cove conference) helped me with the proposals.
The first two houses rejected us. The third one, Concordia, ACCEPTED! Wow! I got only 2 rejections before getting published! An author-illustrator team! All going against what I had learned:
1. you’ll never get the first story you wrote published.
2. author-illustrator teams don’t get picked up.
3. you’ll get hundreds of rejections before you get picked up.
Concordia published TWO of the stories in our series for girls with the intention of putting out two a year, AND they were considering a series for boys.
We did the hallelujah dance in our kitchens!!
THEN … our editor left and a new one came and sent EVERYONE’S stuff back. I’ve since learned that’s kinda normal. And even when they opened back up for submissions, they still didn’t want more stories from me, which confuses me to this very day. Those books sold almost half the print run (10,000 each) and that without social media or websites or blogs. AND they released a month before 9-11, so the mail shut down.
I have people still asking me about more books. The latest one was Dec. 2023! A mom came to my table with her daughter, looked at the picture books I had there (not the same ones) and asked me if I was the Pam Halter who wrote the Beatrice series. “They were my favorite books when I was a girl! I still have them, and my daughter loves them, too!”
Wow.
I’ve tried a couple of times, but no success with Concordia. It’s a shame. They were wonderful to work with, especially as a new author. But God had another plan for me, and I’m doing well!
The key is never giving up. Keep writing. Keep reading. Keep attending conferences. Get a writers group. Be willing to learn other kinds of writing. Know in your heart what God has for you.
I will not list out everything I’ve had published since 2001, but when I’m discouraged, I read that long list. Most things are short, like devotions and short stories, but those things kept me going. I still write them! Just because I’ve had a novel published and more picture books, doesn’t mean I’ve pushed away the short stuff. I also blog once a month for Write2Ignite.
God has kept me writing. I’m so thankful!
Five thousand copies WITHOUT any online platform? That is mind blowing 0.0. I can’t even comprehend something like that happening in our tech-based-marketing age.
The Beatrice books are that good.
My advice may be a bit unusual. Steve, in 2016, at Blue Ridge Christian Writer’s Conference, I sat next to you during lunch. We laughed and talked, but didn’t have shop talk. It was Friday, so I mentioned reading your blog that morning and how much I always enjoyed it. Your face registered the best shocked look ever as we actually talked about the post and details. You were pleased. I was pleased. We had a delightful time of laughter and fellowship. No stress!
Now back to my unusual advice. Enjoy the moments. Relax! Enjoy each person you meet. Sure, we are there to learn and pitch, but I so enjoy meeting and talking with people, I often forget my purpose. No regrets!
Don’t ever give up. Who knows when God will open YOUR door!
I’m an artist. I once got into a very exclusive gallery that was willing to supplement my financial needs. 1992. $2500 a month. Draw against sales. Sounds like a sweet deal for an unknown. Down side: they were going to tell me the subject matter of my paintings, the colors to use and the sizes. I was selling around two paintings a week – average price, $2k. They took 75% off the top. 75%.
I never cashed the first supplemental check and they replaced me with Picasso drawings. Still got the check.
Sounds like traditional publishing.
When next I go to a conference, it will be as an indy, I think.