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Conference Etiquette

February 19, 2009 //  by Rachel Kent//  5 Comments

Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski

Location: Books & Such Main Office, Santa Rosa, Calif.

At conferences, sometimes awkward moments happen that I wish to avoid. These are caused by conferees who don’t yet know the “rules of conference etiquette.” Here are my suggestions for you as you strive to make your best impression on agents and editors:

1) Make an appointment to talk with a faculty member. It really isn’t okay to pitch a project to a faculty member in the bathroom.
If you don’t have an appointment with someone, but you want to talk with him or her, ask the person you’re approaching if he has time to talk to you for X amount of time (30 seconds, 5 minutes, etc). If the answer is no, and the faculty member doesn’t look like he is scrambling to get to the class he is teaching, ask to set up a time. Try to approach the faculty member when he or she could easily pull out the schedule to write you in.

2) If you’re pitching a project during a meal, be sure to give the rest of the table time to talk. If the conferees don’t remember to let everyone have a turn, the faculty member hosting the table has to “referee.” I don’t look good in vertical stripes. I was never meant to be a referee, so please remember to keep your pitch brief. This shows your respect for everyone, and trust me, the host of the table will remember you dominated the conversation–and that won’t be a good way to make yourself memorable.

3) When you’re pitching your project to an agent or editor, never use lines like, “God told me you’re supposed to be my agent” or “God told me this publishing house is going to publish my project.” I feel bad when I don’t agree with what God has told you. It creates an awkward situation. If God really has told you that, then my representing you will come about without your telling me what God has revealed to you.

5) This might be the most important thing to remember. You have something to offer the other conferees. You can be a source of encouragement. You can discuss ideas together. You can reach out to those who look lonely. We all know how hard it is to be the one person at a conference who doesn’t know anybody, so why not reach out to the people around you. During a conference, we receive a lot, but we can give a lot, too!

Fun Fact About Rachel:

Since I’m going to the Florida Christian Writers’ Conference, I’ll tell you about my first and only other time in Florida. Our family flew to Florida on my 7th birthday (it was a family vacation, not a birthday trip), and while we were there, I got to hold a newborn bobcat, and I fed marshmallows to baby alligators. We also went to Disney World, but I don’t remember it very well.

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Category: Agents, Authors, Authors, Writing LifeTag: editors, literary agent, writers' conferences

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  1. Lynn Rush

    February 19, 2009 at 10:59 am

    The bathroom? UGH, I can’t believe people still do that. When I first heard that, I thought it was a joke. You know, like, an example of what not to do, just dramatized. I never thought it actually happened.

    But yeah, I’ve heard stories. I was mortified.

    Reminded me of the VH-1 movie about the Temptations. They “pitched” a big-wig in the bathroom…I just about fell over. **LOL**

    Hey, thanks for the tips, Rachel. Have fun in Florida.

    Reply
  2. James Andrew Wilson

    February 19, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    I pitched a book to an editor at the 2004 ACFW conference. Minutes later, we met each other in the bathroom. I said, “I should have just waited and told you all about my book in here.”

    He laughed and said, “You would not believe how many people have cornered me at this conference and tried to pitch to me.”

    Is it common for editors and agents to take the stairs instead of the elevators? Maybe the faculty should make designated editor/agent bathrooms.

    So here’s my question: Do agents get as nervous as writers when they are being pitched to?

    “Oh, no. How can I gently tell him to get a day job and keep it?”

    Reply
  3. Rachel Zurakowski

    February 19, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    James, I’m pretty sure we don’t get as nervous. I have had authors shaking while they’re talking to me. Authors, remember we’re just people like you!

    When I meet with 15 people in one day the only thing I’m nervous about is that I won’t be as attentive as the day goes on. I want to give everyone the same, undivided attention during each meeting. Sometimes it’s hard at the end of a long day.

    Reply
  4. Kimberley Payne

    February 20, 2009 at 9:23 am

    Great tips to remember for any conference. Thanks for sharing!
    Kimberley Payne
    http://www.kimberleypayne.com

    Reply
  5. Carlos Wright

    October 15, 2020 at 11:11 am

    Well written article about Conference Etiquette and great suggestions given here I would be keeping in mind .It also helped me write my assignment for me online because I find it relateble.Thankyou for posting

    Reply

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