Attending a writers’ conference is a great way to immerse yourself in the literary community.

Don’t limit yourself to attending only specific genre or specialty conferences e.g children’s writers conferences, freelance or travel writers’ conferences etc. So much of writing applies to writing in the broader sense, so you will gain something from every conference.

Interacting with your writing colleagues is equally as inspiring and informative as the formal program. It’s also a way of stretching yourself, and opening yourself up to new possibilities. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of any writers’ conference.

Study the program beforehand
If there are electives, book your spot early for these, as they have limited places, and they fill up quickly. Sometimes these can be prebooked. Others have sign up sheets at the conference.

Study the directions
Check the details and allow plenty of time. You don’t want to arrive late, rushed and frazzled.

Business Cards
Have business cards made, if you don’t already have them. They don’t need to be expensive, but they should loook professional. Take lots more business cards than you think you will need. Once you get chatting, it’s amazing how many you give out. You’ll meet people you’ll want to stay in touch with. This is your new extended writers’ network.

Meeting an Editor
Sometimes time is set aside to meet with editors and faculty members, to ask questions or discuss a manuscript. Plan for this and make the most of it. Sometimes this is one on one or in small groups. Have a business card ready, just in case. Who knows who you will meet - maybe even your future editor.

The one on one sessions have been likened to speed dating for writers. Editors probably won’t have time to look at clips in any depth at the conference. Some writers suggest emailing or mailing clips as a follow up, which gives you an excuse to follow up if appropriate, and remind the editor who you are. If you are not invited to do so, ask if it is okay to send clips. Depending on your interaction with the editor, you could also include a query.

Compilation Sheet
Another suggestion is to make a double sided (black & white or colour) sheet of highlights from your clips, to leave with the editor. Include a few key points about you, your experience, and specialty areas. Be sure to attach a business card.

If making a compilation sheet, avoid the one size fits all approach. It may pay to tailor the sheet for the specific conference, specialty areas or editor you are targeting. An A3 bifold format also works well with this concept.

If photography is an aspect you want to promote, include examples of your best photos. This also breaks up the text, and makes it more visually appealing. Think of the compilation sheet as an expanded version of your business card, or a mini portfolio.

Elevator Pitch
Work out a 30 second snapshot of who you are and what you do. This is called an “elevator pitch” as it should be short enough to be able to tell someone travelling from one floor to the next. Be ready to answer questions such as “What sort of writing do you do? What are you working on at the moment? Have you been published?”

Collect publisher catalogs
You’ll find these and freebies at the trade exhibits. They give you an idea of what a publisher’s focus areas area e.g. mulitcultural, YA fiction, library non fiction etc.

Take a mini stapler
It is amazing how many exhibitors pay huge amounts to display and don’t staple their card to their catalogue or handouts. You don’t want to play mix and match when you get home. This works in reverse too. Make sure anything you hand out is clearly marked with your contact details. Even if stapled to a business card, it can come adrift.

Take a Carry Bag
A bag keeps catalogs and the inevitable books you can’t resist buying together, so you have your hands free. You may even meet authors and want to store their signed books carefully.

Author’s Presentation - Read the Books First
You will get much more out of an author’s presentation, if you are able to read at least one of the books beforehand. The conference bookseller needs to know which specific books the author will focus on, to order these books in, so conference organisers usually know well beforehand. Talk to the authors if you get a chance. This can be quite inspirational.

After the Conference
At the end of the conference, you will have information overload. When you are ready, sort through the collected paper jumble. Be ruthless. Keep only what you need. Organise and file it.

After the conference, I guarantee you will be inspired and learn a lot. Writing can be an isolated pursuit. Interacting with other writers can be a very energising and affirming experience.

Try to keep in touch with those writers with whom you felt a rapport, or had writing interests in common. After all who better to understand a writer than another writer in the same boat?

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