Blogger: Mary Keeley
The busiest conference season is into full swing through the summer into fall. I’m at the Write To Publish Conference this week and will have limited time to respond to comments. But here are some of the things I’m looking forward to and some I see and hear attendees anticipate. And I hope you have fun sharing stories of your past conferences and hopes for your next one.
From an agent’s perspective. I’m looking forward to:
- Connecting with other industry professionals. At almost all conferences some time is set aside for faculty to have time together, either over breakfast or a pre-conference dinner. It gives us time for relationship building, sharing perspectives and news about the industry, and opportunities to talk one-on-one with editors about our clients’ projects.
- Meeting aspiring authors. I love to encourage writers who are passionate about their God-given drive to write captivating, life-changing books. I view the 15-minute meetings with these writers as opportunities to give forward into their writing journey. It’s a joy to watch attendees process what they learn in workshops, editor and agent panel discussions, and in their one-on-one meetings with editors and agents.
- Finding the one or two writers who are ready to be represented. Those whose writing sample is so sublime that I can’t wait to get the full proposal and manuscript. Those one or two aspiring writers or published authors who have he whole package. They have done the long, hard work to excel in their craft, while also successfully growing a sizeable audience and, especially for a nonfiction author, a strong platform. They have learned how to serve their audience to cement their loyalty.
From the attendee’s perspective. From comments I frequently hear, you look forward to:
- Face-to-face meetings with editors and agents. The anticipation is exciting. But that’s not say these writers don’t also quickly mention their apprehension, even fear, about it. I want to assure you, we agents and editors totally get that. Mos of the editors and agents you will face understand and try to put writers at ease. These in-person opportunities are important. I’ve heard a few editors comment at conferences that they won’t consider a writer’s submission unless they had met at a conference.
- Learning about the industry and the publishing process. This in itself is reason enough to attend a conference, even if you don’t have a polished manuscript. Just as Joshua and Caleb quietly went into Promised Land to scope it out before leading the Israelite army in to conquer the land, it is wise for you who are beginning your writing journey to attend a conference simply to observe the action and absorb as much information as you can. You’ll learn how to prepare for conquering your writing career. A word of advice: If this is the stage you’re at in your journey, now is not the time to schedule a meeting with an agent or editor. Don’t take one of their meeting slots if you don’t have a proposal to pitch.
- Meeting other writers. I’ve heard writers comment that one of the greatest blessings of attending a conference is making lasting friendships with other writers. Mixing with others writers at a conference is one of the best ways to find or start a critique group among writers with whom you feel comfortable and challenged.
Okay, your turn. Add to this list and tell us about one of your experiences at a conference. What is one thing you learned that was especially influential in your writing journey?
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David A. Todd
I think one of the most important things about conferences, in terms of what influenced me and my writing career, is learning more about the publishing industry itself. This information comes from published writers, agents, editors, anyone you are willing to learn from. At my first writer’s conference, a two-day ACW conference in 2003, in the first class I attended, the speaker said how we should expect to have to do all the marketing for our books once we got published, that the publisher wouldn’t do any. That was a shock to say the least, as before that I had visions of being treated like royalty by the publisher who begged to publish my book.
And it’s gone mostly downhill from there.
Cynthia Herron
Awww, David… Chin up! Press on!
If you have the desire to write and it align’s with God’s vision for your life, He will bring it about to fruition in due time according to His will, plan, and purpose.
Cynthia Herron
*aligns* 🙂
Norma Horton
My experience is probably how to NOT do a conference, although it netted me a lovely literary agent!
How about attending a conference right after starting Craftsman with DiAnn Mills, accosting the Howard rep in the Hyatt lobby, and getting an e-mail less than 72 hours later, asking for the full manuscript? It can be done. Maybe not gracefully, but it can be done.
I am (obviously) a fan of conferences. Wear the best jacket you own (women), polish your pitch to perfection while standing in front of your bathroom mirror (yea, I did it), and go for it. I honestly enjoy writing conferences immensely, and come away much smarter and better prepared for the next one. It takes courage to face people who can dislike your work, but it also takes courage to build a platform and face fans who want you to sign your book later. It’s great, unique practice for the journey.
Good luck to you at this one, Mary.
Jill Kemerer
Absolutely!! My favorite part of conferences is meeting other writers. I love them!
A close second? Taking notes at the workshops. I’m amazed at how much great information is there!
Have a blessed conference, Mary!
Cynthia Herron
Mary, I love conferences! One of my favorite moments from an ACFW conference was when Brandilyn Collins prayed with me…right in the middle of the ladies powder room! She was so gracious, warm, and fun, and it was a tremendous dose of encouragement from our right-on-time God.
A funsy: Then there was the conference attendee in the powder room stall next to mine who whistled the entire time. (Ooops! Was that TMI?) What an uplifting way to kickstart my conference experience! (And it made me wonder… who says powder rooms are boring?!) 🙂
Here’s to a blessed day and a fabulous conference!
Kathryn Barker
Awww…Cynthia…love your view from the powder room….I’ve had more fun meeting wonderful ladies in line…connections extraordinaire happen!
Lindsay Harrel
The only way I can describe last year’s ACFW experience is that I finally felt like I’d come home. Crazy to feel so at home among so many strangers, but thankfully I’d met a lot of writers online and meeting in person was the perfect boost I needed! It was also good to get some pitching experience under my belt.
Gabrielle Meyer
You forgot to mention that you had the BEST roommate ever… 🙂
Lindsay Harrel
Well, that goes without saying!! 😉 Love that we’ve experienced all of our first conferences and retreats together!
Jeanne T
Mary, I hope you’re having a great time at the conference this week!
Last year was my first ACFW conference. I loved it! The worship time, the workshops and meeting writers. I learned so much from the workshops! Okay, I guess I loved all of it. If I had to choose one thing about conferences, I’d say it was wonderful both to meet new writers and to meet face to face with those I’d become friends with online.
Jennifer Major
I haven’t been to a writer’s conference yet, but I have (insert dripping sarcasm now) enjoyed the immense privilege of being the wife of a science conference speaker/attendee. Thankfully it was tree science and I was spared all kinds of people in home made Star Trek uniforms.
Roaming the hotel halls with 4 kids in tow while looking for my own personal black spruce geneticist was almost as fun as…
But I digress… I am looking forward to ACFW this year where I shall, if not yet represented, fainting in front of several agents of maybe even being rendered speechless by one in an elevator. You think I’m joking?
(Who? Me!?)
Remember that scene in Drew Barrymore’s lovely film “Everafter”? When Prince Henry is standing before the priest and the crowd, and the Spanish princess is BEGGING to be released from marrying him and set free to marry the man she loves?
Okay, now think of that exact pitch her voice reached…that will be moi.
Either that, or I’ll squeak like Flipper.
I am looking forward to meeting my writer friends, and sitting in on workshops taught by people for whom I have insane amounts of respect.
And I will promise to behave.
Gabrielle Meyer
I attended ACFW for the first time last year and met many of the ladies (in person) who have already commented above (waving to Cindy, Jill, Lindsay and Jeanne)! Meeting other writers is truly one of the best things about a writer’s conference.
Having a sense of being home, like Lindsay said, is also on the top of the list. I would look around the ballroom, full of almost 700 other writers, and just be in awe of standing there. It was one of those: Wow, God, I can’t believe I’m standing in the midst of my dream-kind of experiences.
But the greatest part of the conference? It was an accumulation of all the experiences wrapped up into one thought: I can do this!
Kathryn Barker
I, too, love conferences! My fantastic writing partners sent me to my first “away from home” conference with instructions to “extend their greetings” (in the Biblical sense) to a couple of very special people. In doing so, I felt welcomed and blessed!
I also met and enjoyed conversing with one special agent…many delightful workshop leaders…and a host of writer angels! My experience was encouraging, but I was challenged to reach further.
Most surprising to me was the sweet, sweet worship time in the mornings and evenings…tucked those precious memories in my heart for difficult days!
PS…Mary, thanks for making the tweetables short enough to add hashtags!
lisa
Love all this encouragement! I love people, meeting everyone would be amazing. I also love learning anything and everything about writing 🙂
Meghan Carver
I am so looking forward to the ACFW conference and being surrounded by other writers who love fiction and for whom, as Jennifer says, I have an insane amount of respect. I am blessed to have been able to attend a smaller conference where I learned about the industry, the need for an agent, and generally got my feet wet. I’m hoping that prepares me a bit for this September, but I think I’ll still be the Nervous Nellie who’s tongue-tied by being in the presence of such greats.
Jeanne T
I’ll be looking for you, Meghan. 🙂
Meghan Carver
Thanks, Jeanne! I’m anxious to put real-life faces to all the online names.
Jenni Brummett
In 2012 I attended Mount Hermon for the first time. While roaming the wooded paths with a deer in the headlight stare, I met my wonderful critique partner Miriam. We’ve been learning from each other, and laughing to relieve the stress of the publishing world, ever since.
I didn’t pursue meeting with faculty that first year, but this year I did, and I was blessed by the encouragement I received.
Both years, in workshops, the seed of a new story imbedded itself in my brain. The first idea has been sent for perusal, and the second idea is sprouting as I interview possible characters.
Jean wise
I love the interaction among writers and the energy at conferences. Your words are encouraging, Mary. I am also at WTP and hope to meet with you.
Janet Ann Collins
I love conferences. Whether I’m speaking at a small one or attending a big one it’s wonderful to connect with other people who love writing. Years ago at my first Mount Hermon conference I was amazed to learn that successful writers were just as concerned about getting their next books published as I was, and that editors didn’t glow in the dark. 😉
Writers are communicators, but writing is a solitary job, so when we get together we easily become friends. Some of my closest friends are people I originally met at writers conferences.
Peter DeHaan
I enjoy the opportunity to give to others, be it attendees, speakers, or organizers. As a bonus, when I do that I always receive more in return that what I give.
Leah E. Good
I have yet to find a conference I did not enjoy. My first one was the SCBWI Mid-South conference in 2009. Looking back I have to laugh at how little I knew. I registered late and didn’t know enough to be disappointed that all the pitching opportunities were filled. By the end of the conference I’d been through an hour of intensive pitching practice. At the next conference I attended (Writing for the Soul, 2012) I came with a pitch fully prepared, only to completely change it after a coaching session with McNair Wilson.
My favorite part of these conferences is how much one can learn from them.
Jackie Layton
Last year I attended my first ACFW conference. I was scared and then I got sick.
This year I’ll head to my second conference and hope to be calmer, and I really hope to stay well.
I did manage to learn a few things and meet some super people. I look forward to September.
Mary, thanks for sharing.