Conference Tips
Jenna Petersen
In honor of the annual RWA National Conference, here are my personal tips for making your experience a good one (and I think this applies to any writers conference):
Plan ahead -- this is not the time to be a pantser, not if you don't want to miss out. Check out the conference schedule ahead of time if you can, pick out workshops you don't want to miss at any point, be sure to check out parties and lunches and stuff, too. Oh, and don't miss out on the publisher Open Houses. That's where they give out FREE books only to conference attendees.
Have a schedule -- I make a simple one in Word with times, places and what I'm doing, as well as what I plan to wear that day. This way if someone emails me to ask if I can meet for coffee, I can easily look at my schedule and know I'm not overlapping.
Schedule downtime, too -- The biggest mistake you can make is to run full-tilt for a week and not ever STOP. By the night of the RITAs you will be wiped out and just miserable. Trust me, I've done it. Try to take a little time every day to just go to your room, take off your shoes, and be quiet and calm. Take a nap, watch tv, whatever, but just decompress.
Don't forget yourself -- With so many parties and bars and people, it's easy to get into the mindset that you're just having a gay ol' time. You're not. This is a business conference and people are always watching. The last thing you want to do is puke all over some editor's shoes. Or offend an agent. Or honestly, just be rude to another author. You never know who is sitting next to you, so be aware of yourself and what you're doing at all times.
Talk to people -- I'm forever shocked when I go to a conference and people just sit and talk to the same people they know from their chapter. Why not save the money and just stay home if that's the way you're going to go? A national conference, especially, is a place to meet new people, make new contacts and form new friendships. Hang with your friends and your roommate, of course, but also sit down at a table and introduce yourself. Ask what people write. Be friendly and open and you never know who you might meet.
Respect the signs -- Agents and editors abound at conferences, as do your very favorite bestselling authors. And as I said above, it's always good to talk to people. However, you should also be aware of the signs when you should stay away. If two authors are sitting together, heads close, deep in what appears to be intense conversation... it might not be the best time to jump in and gush. Same thing with editors/agents. If they're sitting at the bar, just chit-chatting, okay. If they're sitting at the bar having a client meeting, your interruption just took time away from their business. So be aware of what's going on around you.
Be the best you -- You're going to be "on" at conference, whether you are published or not. All that means is that you're going to be the best "you" that you can be. Be yourself. Be friendly, be fun, be funny... just be you.
Have a great time -- Enjoy it! It only happens once a year!