On Writing: Things to Bring to Conference

While I am far from an "expert" writing conference attender, I feel like I've learned so much already, just from my limited experience. A writing conference is a chance to network with other writers, get the word out about your projects to potentially interested agents or editors, learn new things about the craft and the process of getting published and marketing, and to just take a few days away from the keyboard and celebrate the amazing calling of being a writer.

So with all that in mind, there are a few things I'm planning to bring with me to the ACFW conference next month. What are they you ask? How convenient! I'll list them...

1. Business cards. Something simple that includes name, email, and web site, if you have one. I'll be listing this lovely blog. Printing a professional-looking photo on the card isn't a bad idea either. Last year I got home with a few cards without pictures, and couldn't place who the card's owner was. I think I brought 50 last year and still had a few left over. Some people bring more than that.

2. The One-Sheet. These are possibly not hugely known, but they're a really handy way to quickly communicate your project to someone, or help jog your memory while you present to an agent or editor. As it sounds, the One Sheet is a single piece of paper that contains information about you and your manuscript.

3. The Elevator Pitch. This isn't a hard copy of anything. It's a two or three sentence spiel that introduces an interested party to your story (in an elevator, for instance). You want it to clue your listener to your genre, major themes, major conflict, etc. Ideally it should also raise some deeper questions about your story as well.

4. Sample Chapters. While you shouldn't expect an agent or editor to collect pages from you to take home (just imagine the paper load if each author they spoke with gave them a sample chapter or proposal packet), I think it's a good idea to bring a sample chapter or two so that they can skim over it if interested. Do yourself a favor and bring several copies if you can-- I find that I like to make notes on the chapter with suggestions the agent or editor might have.

5. Dress to Impress. Normal attire for a writing conference is business casual... whatever that means? Personally, I choose to dress more comfortable for the workshops and meal times, and more professionally for appointments. A meeting with an agent or editor is a job interview, for you as well as for them. Don't distract them or undermine their opinion of you by looking sloppy and unprofessional.