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TIPS FOR ATTENDING SCBWI WRITING
CONFERENCES
- by Linda Joy Singleton
I LOVE going to conferences. It's insightful to hear authors, editors and agents
share their experiences. I always take notes.
1. Start a "conference notebook" and use the same notebook each time
so that you don't end up with scattered information in different locations. I
date each entry, so it's easy to go back and check information. Also leave some
room in the margin for notes to yourself that you can consult at a glance.
2. Don't bring a manuscript expecting to show it to an editor -- editors usually
fly in and don't want to carry more than a few business cards back home. They
will often invite attendees to submit after the conference. But it doesn't hurt
to bring some of your work to share with writing friends. Impromptu critique
sessions in hotel rooms after conferences can be lots of fun.
3. SCBWI conferences are casual. Most people wear comfortable clothes -- nothing
fancy. Keep the high heels and business suits at home (unless that's your idea
of comfy clothes.)
4. Read the books of the speakers before you go. This makes it easier to relate
to the talks and gain a better understanding of their experiences. If editors
are speaking, check out some of the books they publish. Not only is this a nice
courtesy, but you may discover new authors you enjoy.
5. Go to have fun. The most satisfaction I get out of a conference is talking to
other authors who share my hopes, worries, and dreams.
6. Take a camera to get pictures of all the new friends you'll make.
7. Bring bookmarks, copies of books for the brag table. If you don't have
bookmarks, business cards work great and give you something to exchange with new
friends.
8. Hotel beds are often hard -- I bring a small pillow with me.
9. After receiving a business card or bookmark, make a note on it to remind you
about the person you just met. When I get home after a conference and have
a bunch of cards, it's easier to remember clearer with helpful notes to remind
me of new friends.
10. Pack some bottled water--it leaves room in your suitcase for all the
(autographed) books you'll take home later.
11. It’s often a good idea to bring snacks, like muffins, crackers or
granola bars for those times when can’t get a meal. Hotel rooms often
have a bar full of food goodies, but they are usually NOT complimentary and a
small bag of chips can cost $5. Check the cost before you munch.
12. Use a prepaid phone card to avoid extra hotel phone expenses -- and
verify any additional room charges ahead of check-out time such as meals,
toiletries, coffee, and phone charges. Often the room phone may add extra
charges, so use a lobby phone or bring along a cell phone (check roaming charges
first). Save yourself the nasty shock of a $50 charge for five minutes of
conversation.
13. Bring an extra zippered bag to pack new purchases for the flight home.
14. Make up a purse-sized photo book ahead of time with assorted
pictures to share of our pets, kids, books, etc. You know your puppy is
cute and your friends may enjoy seeing the picture, too.
15. Save meal, travel, and other expense receipts for tax records.
Professional education such as conferences, travel and books are tax deductible
for working writers. What a great job!
16. Keep expectations reasonable. Don't expect to snag a huge
publishing contract or a top agent. What you can expect is to learn what
editors and agent want and how to target your submissions to the right person.
You'll also gain new ideas about writing, rewriting, characterization, etc.
Listen, take notes, and soak in the knowledge offered. Then when you
get home, polish your work and send it off.
17. Pick compatible roommates for fun conversations AFTER the workshops are over
and to help cut room expenses.
18. If you don't have anyone to hang out with, go down to the lobby and
talk! I've met lots of new friends that way. And meeting other
writers is the most fun of attending a SCBWI conference.
19. Think about your characters and current writing project when
listening to advice. Instead of taking the information in a general way,
mentally applying the information to specific characters/plots can be helpful.
20. When it’s all over plan at
least one day for a “crash day” at home because you’ll be tired and need
to slowly recover. You’ve had a GREAT time…not relax! Then get
back to writing.
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