Writer Con Checklist

I love attending writing conferences. The positive energy, camaraderie with fellow writers, and opportunities to talk with industry professionals (i.e., literary agents, editors, and published authors). Not to mention awesome workshops, sessions like ‘Become a Clue-Master: How To Plant Clues’, ‘Heroes, Henchmen, and Sidekicks: The Characters-First Approach to Plot’, and ‘Getting inTouch with Your Tone’.

And tis the season! Over the next couple weekends there are two big writing conferences in Denver. First up is the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference (RMFW), for writers of any genre of fiction. Then the following weekend is the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Letters and Lines conference, for writers of children’s books (picture books through young adult). To prep for these two events, I’ll do the following over the next week:

  • Look over conference brochures and identify sessions of interest.
  • Pack business cards so they’re easily accessible (I ordered mine from moo.com).
  • Pick out what to wear, preferably something that’s business casual as well as comfortable. These are long days, after all.
  • Research industry professionals for pitch sessions, manuscript critiques, and/or any other meetings. This way I’ll have something to chat with them about. Note, it’s also good to have publishing-related questions to ask.
  • Memorize Sweet Water log line/pitch for pitch sessions, or in case the opportunity arises at lunch or in an elevator. Note, even though it might be tempting, do not pitch a work that’s incomplete.
  • Pump myself up to take a risk, whether it’s talking with industry professionals during breaks or introducing myself to other writers.
  • Thicken that skin! Writing is art and an amazing craft. That is, until you’re trying to sell it. Then it’s business.
  • Bring a rain coat and umbrella. Usually this would not be on the list, but given the past week in Colorado, it might be a good idea.

Writers, what’s missing from my list?

What I’m reading: The Shining by Stephen King (prepping to see the master himself speak at Chautauqua next week!)

What I’m listening to: Pretty Lights – Taking Up Your Precocious Time

 

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