Conference Time!

I spent the past weekend helping out at the Christian Writers Guild conference in downtown Denver - SO FUN!! My mom came with me and we had a fabulous girls weekend and loved hanging out with the staff of CWG.

This was our NINTH conference with CWG (gosh!!!). So, I hope I was able to help a few of the first-timers who were there! Conferences can be SO intimidating! So, I made a few mental notes for you ScribbleChicks out there who might be getting ready to head to your first conference!

1. Wear comfortable shoes! And maybe more importantly, make sure those shoes are broken in before you go.

2. Bring a couple of copies of your proposal. If you don't have a proposal, bring a few pages of your current work-in-progress as a sample of your writing. CWG's conference lets you sign up for 15-minute appointments with publishers. Even if you aren't hoping to sell something, bringing a sample of your work can allow you to get valuable feedback. Take advantage of those meetings! When else will you get 15 minutes to talk to an editor at a huge publisher?

3. Have courtesy for other writers. Don't push and shove your way through the conference trying to get the best of everything. If you don't get an appointment with the editor you wanted, try to find a time to see them outside of the appointments - but don't be annoying. Remember, first impressions are extremely important!

4. Respect the rules. This goes along with my last point, but it was amazing how many people tried to bend or stretch the rules at this past conference! I probably noticed it more since I was working on the crew instead of attending, but still. First impressions DO count and a publisher is going to notice if you aren't being polite or if you aren't following guidelines. I'm pretty sure most publishers wouldn't be jumping in line to look at a manuscript submitted by a person who couldn't follow directions - how will they know that you'll follow a deadline?

5. Relax and breathe. Conferences are overwhelming, but they don't have to be completely mind-numbing! Take a few deep breaths and gather your nerves - especially before you meet with someone. Also, take advantage of free times to get a much needed break. Go get a coffee and put your feet up for a few minutes. The breather will be so helpful later on that night!

6. Don't waste time. Take breathers, but don't spend the day in your hotel room. Take advantage of the time - meet other authors and try to keep your eyes open for authors in your area and in your genre. Be friendly. Also, talk to the crew (that was me!), because a lot of times, they will have insider insight that the other conferees might not.

7. Bring snacks. Sometimes, hotels serve...well, hotel food. Which may not be something you can or want to eat. Beyond that, they only serve it at meal times. Be sure to bring some trail mix, granola bars or some sort of energy-inducing food with you. You'll be thanking me during that afternoon session when your blood sugar has dropped below the floor!

8. Pack plenty of extra room in your suitcase. Conferences are known for giving out freebies and you'll want to have room to bring them all home!

9. Take ridiculous notes. The sessions only last a few days and so they'll be packing weeks' worth of information into those classes. Bring a notepad or your laptop for extra note-taking room. And be sure to chat with the people in your class. Odds are, they write something similar to you.

10. Have fun! Conferences are some of the most profitable times for writers, but be sure that the I-need-to-take-care-of-business pressure doesn't keep you from having a good time. Relax and enjoy it! Conferences can be inspiring - so let the inspiration flow!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Erynn :)