How to Survive a Writers Conference

I’ve had the chance to go to 3 writing conferences and I’ve learned something about how to survive a writer’s conference. I’ve been to the Chuckanut Writer’s Conference and the Pacific Writer’s Conference. I wanted to give writers some advice on how to survive a writer’s conference and get the most out of it.

Paying and Travel

One of the biggest barriers to going to a writer’s conference is paying for the conference and travel. The conference itself will cost anywhere from $300-$500 and then there’s travel. On the bright side, there are chances for cheap and inexpensive travel using long-distance rideshare or by going with someone else who is also going to the conference. Air miles (if you have them) can also be helpful and you can always look into taking the train or bus if really necessary. You’re also going to need somewhere to stay. I always like to stay in the hotel where the conference is for networking opportunities (see below) but staying anywhere, as long as you have easy access to the convention site, is also a great option. You can also look at social media to see if you can share a room with someone who is also going to the conference. It’s a great way to split the costs! The reality is that even with all these savings tips, going to a conference is going to be at least $1,500-$2,000 at times. If you live near a major metropolitan area, you might see what conferences are closer to home, so you can commute from home.

If You are Pitching…

Many writer’s conferences will have pitch sessions where writers can pitch to agents and editors. This is a grueling process. At PNWA, pitch sessions were 90 minutes long and each writer had just 3 minutes with each agent and editor. You had to stand in line and wait through the sessions until it became your turn. In 90 minutes, I was only able to pitch 3-4 agents or editors. It’s crowded, hot, lots of pressure, and some of the feedback on your query and pitch can be very damaging to the ego.

The best way to do this is to do your homework on what you want to pitch and to whom you want to pitch it. Be strategic and only pitch those who you really want to talk to because your opportunity may be limited (depending on the rules). For personal care, make sure to drink water, make sure to have eaten beforehand, and don’t let the slings and arrows of comments get to you. I had an agent tell me that my book was derivative of a recent film. Did it hurt? Yes. Did I also pitch that same project and get asked for 100 pages? Absolutely.

Workshops

Workshops are my favorite part of a writer’s conference. This is another area where homework is key. Deciding on which workshops to go to is key to your overall success as a writer. There will be different coaches, agents, and authors who will be speaking at the conference. You’ll want to focus on workshops that will help you in your craft, genre, and style. If you are interested in self-publishing, then picking up some of those workshops is vital as well. Often, you’ll only be able to go to a handful of workshops per session so pick wisely. If recordings are available, the extra fee can be worth it.

Networking

Networking at writing conferences is vital. There are multiple networking opportunities. Some are overt and some are not. There will often be formal networking events and these can be alright for meeting new people. However, the best time to network is around the time the workshop sessions are ending, meals, and midday around the long lunch break. This can also be a good time to get some extra time with agents, workshop speakers, and other writers in your genre.

Although this might be controversial, don’t forget to dress well and dress comfortably. Make sure to wear sensible shoes but dress professionally. Presentation is important (especially if you’re pitching!) and making sure that your personal appearance is as good as the words on the page is essential.

Have Fun!

The best piece of advice I can give is to simply have fun. Try to learn as much as possible and don’t be afraid to take breaks. Make sure to eat well and take care of yourself. It will be plenty of information, long days, and can be stressful (especially if you’re pitching!) so make sure to be at your best.