| Writers' Conferences provide an opportunity for | | | | The trade fair component will offer services on |
| writers to meet, socialize, attend workshops, and to | | | | editing, self-publishing and internet opportunities. Also, |
| meet editors and agents. Writers can improve skills, | | | | there will be booksellers selling bestsellers and books |
| learn new techniques, promote their writing, and keep | | | | on writing techniques. Sometimes conferences |
| up to date on the happenings in the book world. | | | | provide an opportunity for authors to sell their books. |
| Most conferences run three or four days with | | | | If you have a published book to sell, enquire with the |
| additional classes available for experienced writers. It | | | | organizers, however, some conferences have limited |
| is a good idea to sign up for the conference early to | | | | space and only allow presenters to sell books. |
| schedule appointments and register for classes with | | | | Wear comfortable shoes and clothing as you will |
| limited participation. Check deadlines for writing | | | | spend time sitting in workshops, walking, and standing |
| contests which are judged before the conference. | | | | at social events. As you will be meeting with editors |
| When you reserve your hotel room, ask for the | | | | and agents, you should not be too casual as you |
| conference rate. To cut costs, check the conference | | | | want to create a good impression. Bring a tote bag |
| website for information on sharing a room or a taxi | | | | to carry your laptop, pen and paper and any books |
| ride from the airport. If you are driving, consider | | | | you purchase. Also, bring a camera as you may be |
| carpooling. Not all meals will be provided, so a small | | | | able to arrange for a picture of yourself with your |
| cooler with fresh fruit and snacks is handy in your | | | | favourite author for your web page or blog. |
| hotel room if you wish to relax instead of going out. | | | | Introduce yourself and be friendly and interested in |
| Appointments with editors and agents for a | | | | others. One way to socialize is to sit at a different |
| manuscript evaluation and to pitch your book are an | | | | table for each meal. Conference organizers include |
| important aspect of a conference, and are limited to | | | | casual get-togethers so attendees have an |
| ten to fifteen minutes, as other aspiring novelists are | | | | opportunity to make new contacts. Social activities in |
| waiting for the same opportunity. Before scheduling | | | | the evening are a further opportunity to network. |
| your appointment, make sure that the time does not | | | | Feel free to join in and mix with the other |
| conflict with an important workshop you wish to | | | | participants, as most of the people at the gatherings |
| attend. When you arrive for the appointment, do not | | | | are interested in chatting and getting to know fellow |
| be late, and do not run over the allotted time. Do not | | | | writers. Even if you feel shy, try to meet new |
| bring a manuscript to the conference as an editor or | | | | people instead of staying close to your friends. If you |
| agent will not have time to look at it. Instead, if they | | | | connect with other writers from your area, find out if |
| are interested, they will request a book proposal or | | | | they are interested in meeting after the conference |
| manuscript be sent to them. | | | | or would like to form, or join, a writers' group. You |
| A large selection of workshops will be offered and | | | | may want to keep in touch with others through email |
| you should decide beforehand which ones to attend. | | | | or on blogs. Don't miss making contacts that might be |
| Check the conference website and read the profiles | | | | important to your career. |
| of the presenters. Make a note of ones you would | | | | Hand out your business cards, which should include |
| like to meet; look at their photos to make it easier | | | | your email address, web page or blog and your |
| to identify them, and highlight the program schedule | | | | genre. If you have a tagline, such as a saying from |
| when they will be speaking. Note any questions you | | | | one of your characters, include that as well, or if you |
| wish to ask, and jot down some notes to act as a | | | | write from a specific time period or geographic |
| prompt if the opportunity comes up to talk with | | | | location, add a comment about that. Make your |
| them. | | | | business card stand out so others remember you and |
| In the workshops, make notes, either with pen and | | | | buy your book if you have one to sell, or check your |
| paper or on your laptop. Some instructors provide | | | | website or blog. The business card that you hand out |
| handouts, but they are generally not as detailed as | | | | at conferences may be different from the one you |
| the notes you make yourself. Be sure to turn your | | | | use as a freelance writer looking for work. If you |
| cell phone to vibrate before going into a class. After | | | | write a newsletter, ask the people who give you |
| a workshop has started, and if you find it is not | | | | their card if they would like to receive a copy. Do |
| what you expected, leave quietly and go into | | | | not send unsolicited newsletters or use the business |
| another one. People will be going to appointments so | | | | cards that you receive for spam purposes. |
| there will be some movement in the room in any | | | | Before the conference ends, fill out the evaluation |
| event. | | | | form to help improve the event for the following |
| Panel discussions include editors, agents and authors | | | | year. |
| and provide a current and candid description of the | | | | Writer' conferences are an opportunity to meet |
| marketplace. The Q&A portion is an opportunity to | | | | people and to be inspired to go home and create. |
| ask questions about market trends. | | | | Most importantly, have fun and enjoy yourself! |