How to Prepare for a Writer’s Conference
I recently attended Cultivating a Writer’s Life—the inaugural conference put on by the C.S. Lewis Foundation in Colorado Springs. It was such an incredible experience.
Now that I’m finally coming off the high of being there, I wanted to share a few things I did to prepare in the hopes that it will help you get the most out of your next writer’s conference.
Set Clear Goals: Before attending a writer's conference, take some time to define your objectives. They can really be anything! I had three for this particular conference (because they can change depending on which conference I’m attending):
-To take a peaceful retreat away that would breathe new life into my writing
-To finish my manuscript for book #2 (because uninterrupted time away means lots of writing time for me)
-To connect with Christian fiction writers that could turn into friends
Because of these goals I’d set, I knew there were a few things I had to prepare ahead of time. Things like scouting out coffee shops ahead of time where I could write when there wasn’t a session happening and turning off social media so that I was fully present that weekend.
Research the Schedule: Familiarize yourself with the conference schedule in advance. Take note of workshops, panels, and keynote speakers that align with your interests and goals. Planning your itinerary ahead of time will ensure that you don't miss out on any of the rich opportunities to learn and it will give you some time to think about questions to ask during any Q&A sessions—this is not the time to be shy with your questions!
Prepare Your Materials: Whether you're attending pitch sessions or networking with fellow writers, it's essential to have your materials ready to share. If you plan to pitch your manuscript, prepare a concise and compelling elevator pitch. Memorize any marketing ideas you have and think about how you can set yourself apart from other writers those agents and editors will be meeting. On top of that, don’t forget business cards (order some now if you don’t have any! You don’t need to be a published author to have a business card), a well-crafted author bio for your pitch meetings, and any relevant writing samples to share with potential contacts. Finally, if you’ve published a book already, bring a couple copies you can give away to people you meet.
Polish Your Manuscript: If you intend to participate in manuscript critiques or pitch sessions, make sure that your manuscript or book proposal is polished and ready for feedback in case they ask to see that. Take the time to revise and edit your work before the conference to make the best impression on agents, editors, and fellow writers.
Practice Your Pitch: Practice delivering your pitch until it flows naturally and confidently. Whether you're pitching to agents or fellow writers, being able to succinctly convey the essence of your story is crucial. Try describing your book or book idea in one to two sentences. It’s really challenging to do so, but it’s so important! Not doing this will cause you to ramble about unnecessary elements of your story again and again, and that just doesn’t leave a good impression.
Update Your Online Presence: In today's digital age, your online presence is just as important as your in-person interactions. Before the conference, take some time to update your author website, social media profiles, and online portfolios to reflect your latest work and achievements. Having a professional online presence makes it so easy to point new contacts to places they can find you and your work once the conference is over.
Be Open-Minded and Flexible: While it's essential to have a plan in place, remain open-minded and flexible throughout the conference. Be willing to explore unexpected opportunities, attend impromptu sessions, and say yes to a spontaneous dinner invitation with a fellow attendee. Some of the most valuable experiences at writer's conferences can occur when you least expect them!
Follow Up After the Conference: After the conference concludes, don't let the connections you've made go to waste. Follow up with new contacts via email or social media to express gratitude for their time and to keep the conversation going. Nurture these relationships over time because they can lead to rich friendships and future collaborations or opportunities.
Most importantly of all, be prepared to have lots of fun. Don’t stress if the sessions or keynotes aren’t mindblowing. I really do believe that connecting with other writers and people in the industry is the most beneficial part of attending these events.
So, tell me: where do you plan to go this summer?!
