Monday, August 22, 2011

Write it and go to a conference!



With the recent WriteOnCon just having ended and my first writers conference weeks away, I thought what better way to start this Monday off than to go over some musts you need to take to a writer's conference. Since I am as green as they come when it comes to these things, I have left you some links that I found waaaay helpful. Maybe you will too.

Do you know what to take to a conference?
Writer's Conference Tool Kit

Along with the tool kit we have to remember the dos and don'ts once we get there.
Tips Attending Writers Conference

Natalie Fischer is a pretty awesome Asst. lit agent with Bradford Lit Agency and she has some killer advice on conferences HERE, the pitch session HERE and networking at a conference HERE.

And lastly, here is smorgasbord of about all you need to know when going to a writers conference from Absolute Write.
Writers' Conference- Are the all they should be?

What about you? Have you been to a conference? If so what did you take away from them? If not, do you think they are important for a writer?

20 comments:

Kelley said...

They seem like great opportunities to learn from many in one place. :)

Christa Desir said...

I loved the SCBWI conference. The only thing I wish I had thought of was business cards (I know, Writer 101--can't believe I didn't realize it)

Loree Huebner said...

It's been awhile since I've been to a writer's conference. I love the connections I make, and the writers I meet.

I always go away learning so much from the workshops.

Angela Cothran said...

I went to my first conference this past May. It was AMAZING! I was worried that I would go and everyone would know I was a newbie. But I decided to go all out and get as much from it as I could--even if I was scared. My best advice--Get out of your comfort zone :) Have fun!

J.L. Campbell said...

I've never been to one, but living where I do, it can be a bit of a challenge.

Deana said...

Kelly- I agree, I can't wait!

Christa- I need to get some badly. I wish I knew what you are even supposed to put on a writer biz card. I hear you pass them out all the time though.

Loree- The getting pumped up while I'm there is the part I'm looking forward to the most I think:)

Angie- See, I am so nervous for some reason. Like I will be the new kid at school everyone whispers about or something. I need to take from your courage and dive right in!

JL- Where do you live?

Gwen Gardner said...

I have not been to a writing conference - yet. Funny, because there's a really big one where I live - the Pikes Peak Writers Conference. Maybe next year.
I'm just stopping by to say hello -I'm in your group at the Third Writers' Platform Building Campaign. Oh - and I'm a new follower :)

Heidi W said...

I haven't been able to go to a conference yet--but it is one of my desires.

I'm a fellow campaigner in your YA group. Excited to see you around!

Laura said...

Just stopping by to say hi to a fellow campaigner! I enjoyed WriteOnCon and am hoping to attend my first writers' conference soon. Oh, and I love zombie stories, too. ;)

Rachele Alpine said...

WriteOnCon is awesome! I love that they keep the material posted so that you can come back to it whenever you want (or read it, in my case, since I couldn't seem to keep up!). I've been to a few conferences before for my MFA program, and I always get something out of them. I especially like conferences because it helps to be surrounded by other writers and talk about writing. It always seems to spark ideas for me.

I'm a fellow campaigner...so I'm sure I'll be seeing you around!

Jen said...

Hey Deana! I'm in your Campaign group for Dystopian and Post-Apocalyptic. Let's destroy the world!

Unknown said...

Hi! My CP group was just talking about going to a conference together. Hope you have a great time at yours. BTW- I'm in your YA Campaign group. Nice to meet you!

Deana said...

Lady Gwen- So that's a big one? You will have to get yourself there:)

Heidi- I'll let you know how it turns out.

Laura- You love zombies too! I can't wait until the next season of The Walking Dead comes out. If you haven't see it...you need too!

Rachele- I'm with you on the keeping up at WriteOnCon. There was soooo much great info.

Jen- YES! We get to do it together!!! I'm all for it:)

Mary- Awesome! I can't wait to head over and meet you!

Thanks to all my fellow campaign buddies for visiting. I'm making my way to you today:)

Sarah Tokeley said...

I've never been to a conference but, if the stuff available from WriteOnCon is anything to go by, I'd say they were pretty useful!

Another fellow campaigner, saying hello :)

Anonymous said...

If writeoncon counts I just went to that. I am not ready to query yet so I thought I would wait. Thanks for sharing all the resources though and have fun at your first conference.

Also, we are in the same Campaigner group. Nice to meet you.

Liz

Leslie S. Rose said...

This was my second year at the SCBWI conference. Both times I was WOWED with the information. I always try and give myself a focus. That way I pick sessions that contribute to my knowledge in that area.

Sommer Leigh said...

I love conferences! I have a hard time with writing conferences because I go into information overload. I really love WriteOnCon because I can sift through all the information at my own pace.

I'm part of your YA campaigner group. I'm very pleased to meet you!

Abhishek said...

Came here from the Platform Building Campaign!!


Cool Blog!!

with warm regards
Another Author

Unknown said...

Love!! So helpful. Bookmarking this post.

--Lora

Anonymous said...

I will be attending my first conference on October 28th and pitching to an agent. EEK!!