Attending Conferences

By Susanna Carr

Writing conferences are held nearly every month.  They can be amazing experiences of camaraderie or flashbacks of high school hell.  You can be inspired by motivational authors or suffer from information overload.  How does an author get the most out of these events?

1.  Make a goal
Decide what you want from the event and how it affects your overall career goals.  Why do you want to spend your time and money going to this particular conference?  Do you want to make contacts?  Learn writing tips from the experts?  Pick one goal that you can focus on and get the maximum benefits.

2.  Stick with the game plan
Let's say you're targeting a publisher's line and you want to learn everything possible from the editors and authors.  Map out your schedule by giving top priority to any talk given by your targeted editor.  Make every effort to get an appointment with that editor.  Attend classes by the top-selling stars and the newly acquired authors from that line.  No matter how tempting, now is not the time to go sightseeing or take part in the reader-oriented events.  You might be taking your vacation time to attend these conferences, but this is a business trip.

The game plan should also address what you are giving to the ultimate goal.  For example, with this targeting a line scenario, you gain visibility by showing a consistent presence.  You give a professional image to the editor and a face to a manuscript.  Focusing on this one goal will give you an edge against the conference attendee who is trying a little bit of everything.

3.  Roll with the punches
Not everything goes to plan.  If you are the only one in the conference who writes your type of romance, forget about networking and find out if you're ahead of your market or behind the times.  What do you do when you get an appointment with your first choice of agents and you discover he's not taking any clients?  Or worse still, he uses the meeting to advertise his reference book?  Make the disappointment work for you by crossing him off your wish list.  Be thankful you didn't spend months submitting work to him and start focus on your second choice of agents.

4.  Assess
When the conference draws to a close, review your goals, plans and results.  What worked and what made it work?  What didn't work and why?  Most importantly, what would make the next conference a better experience?

5. Resolution
If you choose to attend the next conference, make a resolution.  Where will you be in your career next year?  Will you have completed your first manuscript?  Published with a multiple-book contract?  As you leave the conference, decide how to finish this sentence:  "By this time next year, I will be…'.  If you dream big, make goals and followed through, the possibilities are endless.