We are in conference season…

So, in preparation for that, I want to present to you this post! One with a bunch of tips about attending writers conferences. 🙂 I’ve only gone to one writers conference, but I’ve gone to many other conferences, so I hope some of these things I’ve learned will help you too. 😉

Why you should go to a conference

01. The sessions

I was super pumped about the sessions I attended when I went to the Realm Makers conference. I learned so much! It’s so cool to learn from these great authors, while being surrounded by other writers.

 

02. The people

Seriously though, this can be a bit nerve-racking for an introvert. I know for me, at the RM conference my stomach was in almost constant knots because of all the people there. But I met several writers and bloggers I’d been following, and they were all so nice and it was so awesome to be able to talk about writing things with people. 🙂 It’s a great way to make new connections.

 

03. The publishing opportunities

If you have a book you feel is ready to pitch to agents, conferences are an awesome place to do that. They usually have agent appointments you can make to pitch your book. And then there’s also the editor appointments too, which is a necessary step in publishing as well.

 

04. The BOOKS!

Realm Makers was a booknerd’s paradise. So. Many. Books. And it’s a great chance to get a lot of books SIGNED! Who doesn’t want that, right?

 

If you’ve decided to go to a conference…

 

Before the conference…

The month week before the RM conference, I made sure I had some things prepared before the first conference day. I was so glad I’d brought the things I did, but also realized a few others things that I wish I would’ve thought of…

 

01. Your conference bag…

A bag that you can carry comfortably throughout the day is essential. Here are the things that I packed in mine and things that I think should always be included in a conference bag…

• Notebooks and plenty of pens/pencils. Of course you’ll want to take notes. Be sure you have your favorite pen or pencils, but also backups in case you need them.
• The conference schedule. Obviously. 😉 But I nearly forgot this on conference day. Always review the schedule to make sure you know exactly where you need to go, so you don’t miss that first bit of a session (it’s also a good idea to study the map of the building the conference is being held in).
• A water bottle. I forgot this little item when I packed my bag. And I wish I hadn’t, let me tell you. With the long hours in sessions, a bit of water is super refreshing. We can often forget to hydrate with all the busyness of conferences.
• Something to take pictures with, whether it be your phone or a small camera. Even if you’re not documenting this experience for your blog (and especially if you are!), you definitely want to remember this special time! You might want to take a picture of your book haul, one with an author, or just the whole thing. You don’t want to forget these memories. 🙂
• A jacket. Seriously, I don’t care of it’s 100 degrees outside, conference buildings always seems so cold. I was so thankful for the light jacket I had with me. Without it, I would’ve been freezing.
• Your business cards. At first it may seem odd to have business cards for you blog if you’re not published yet. It did to me. But I researched it a bit, and it turns out it is, in fact, something people do. I designed my cards using Canva, and I really liked how easy it turned out. The conference is perfect opportunity to market your site.
• Breath mints and deodorant. You know, just in case.

 

02. Prepare your novel

No, no, no, don’t freak out! I don’t mean you have to have your novel finished and edited before the conference. I mean, you need to be prepared to talk about your book. You’re at a writer’s conference, so chances are, someone’s going to ask about your book.

This can be a scary thing. Especially if you’re an introvert.

That’s why I wrote this post, The Introvert’s Guide to Talking About Your Book. There are some essential steps and tips (including things I learned at Realm Makers) to help prepare you for talking about your book.

And it’s okay if your current project is in the really beginning stages. As in, it’s-just-a-plot-bunny-right-now. If you at least have a decided genre, then you can tell people that if you can’t make a full blurb.

 

03. Fooooood

Most likely, you’re coming out of town to attend a conference. It’s best to scout out beforehand where you’re going to eat, get coffee, etc., to make sure you find a place before sessions start again after the break.

 

04. Research the faculty

It’s nice to know a little bit about the authors speaking at the conference. Look them up and check out their books too; they’ll probably be sold at the conference. 😉

 

The night before conference day…

Oh, boy. The first day of the conference is tomorrow. And this day can be pretty stressful for a number of reason. One, you’re super nervous, and two, you’re dying waiting for this awesome thing to happen already!

At least, that’s how I was. XD

Reeeeeeelaaaaaax.

That’s number one on the to-do list the night before…

• Relax! Do something to calm your nerves. Conference days can be stressful, so don’t forget to take care of yourself. Read, listen to music, soak in the tub, anything that is calming and relaxing.
• Double-check your conference bag. Even though you’ve probably checked it a million times, check it again before you go to bed. Better yet, make a list of everything you wanted to pack, and check them off.
• Set out your clothes/plan your outfit. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve planned an outfit in my head for the morning, then when I went to get it when I needed it, it turned out some of the things I needed were in the laundry. Set your clothes out where you can see them; everything you’re going to need in the morning.

 

The morning of the conference…

Even more stressful, let me tell you. It’s a mad rush to get ready, grab your things, and get out the door. Here are a few things you should remember to do before you leave…

• Eat something. Maybe you already plan on this, but a lot of times for early morning things I forget to grab even a little something to eat. My nervous stomach doesn’t usually feel hungry anyway. But even just a little something in you will help with those hunger cramps later. And they will come. Eat something healthy that’ll make you feel good the rest of the day.
• Don’t forget all your stuff! Just….please. Don’t forget something. It’s the worst feeling to get to the conference location and realize you left something important at home.

 

At the conference…

Woohoo, your’e at the conference! 😀

Some tips…

• Don’t let your nervousness get in the way of the experience. I regret letting my bout of social anxiety get the better of me when I attended RM. Don’t get me wrong, I still REALLY enjoyed it, but I would’ve enjoyed it EVEN MORE if I got a handle on my nervousness. Just pray. Ask God to calm your nerves and help you relax.
• Don’t freak out too much when you see your favorite author. 😉 Gotta keep is cool. *internal screaming*
• Venture out of your comfort zone to talk to people. I don’t know about you, but starting conversations with strangers is really hard for me. I don’t mind them talking to me first, but it’s that first step of me talking to someone that really makes me nervous. But seriously, go talk to people! A writers conference is an awesome way to connect with other people like you. Take advantage of this opportunity.
• Have fun! 😀

 

I hope these tips will help you if you’re attending a writers conference this year. And if you, tell me in the comments about it!

 

Write on,

Are you going to a writers conference this year? What tips do you have for attending conferences?

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