Making the Most of Conferences + marketing guides & writing through trauma
So many conference tips and resources; marketing links on surviving launch, following-up with agents, insta accts, & the impact of Harlem librarians; essays on & about trauma; industry news; green tea
Greetings readers & writers,
I just had a wonderful, if brief, experience at Readercon, an annual SFF con for readers and writers. Attending writing conferences, residencies, workshops, literary festivals, and/or industry trade shows are a great way to get acquainted with the market, network with other writers and publishing professionals, and learn a ton. There’s one for every budget, genre, and accessibility level. Many have financial aid and some are still hybrid.
Even though I only had time to attend Readercon for one day, it got me thinking about how to make the most of conferences as writer. Here are some of my top tips.
Conferences, literary festivals, retreats, oh my!
Conferences cost time, money, and energy, so it’s important to choose wisely!
Check out what’s local, to minimize travel expenses and connect with your local writing and reading community.
Consider what you’re hoping to get out of a conference: book sales? Build your reputation? Meet agents? Network? Learn more about the industry? Meet favorite authors? Allow those needs to help narrow your search.
Search by genre, then check conferences’ speaker line-ups and programs. Are there authors or panel topics you see your work (and conference needs) in conversation with? Probably means it’s a good fit!
Money, money, money
Budget extra tight? Many conferences offer grants, scholarships, or discounts that need to be applied for in advance! There are also often free public events on the program, in addition to ones you need to register or pay for.
Like public speaking and planning ahead? Pitch a workshop or panel and apply to be a presenter. Presenters often get free or discounted conference registration.
Have the time, but not the money? Consider volunteering. Most events like this run on volunteers, which gets you free access to the conference in exchange for your time and support.
Have the money, but not the time? You can usually register for specific events or single days. This is a good way to get a taste of a multi-day event without the full expense!
Before:
Practice your pitch. Look, if it’s a literary event and you say you’re a writer, someone is gonna ask you what you’re working on. So rehearse your elevator pitch ahead of time, whether its for a specific project or your writing style, . Doesn’t hurt to have a current author/book in mind too, that you can use as an ice breaker!
Business cards. Or bookmarks, we’re book people after all! It may feel a little weird to hand someone you just a met a business card when you’re talking about your favorite fandom. But if you meet some cool folks, you want a way for them to get back in touch with you post-conference, and vice versa.
Introvert tip: Rest up. You’re about to people for a few days. Make sure you’re well-rested, hydrated, and that you’re socio-emotional batteries are topped up.
During:
Introvert tip: Take a buddy. Ok, maybe this is just me, but I feel way more comfortable at a conference or festival if I’m going to know someone there. Even if you don’t have a close friend to go with, see if other folks from your wider community are attending and plan to meet. A friendly face goes a long way towards enjoyment.
Shoot your literary shot. I sat down next to an author I wanted to meet and started up a conversation, which led to me being randomly and spontaneously invited to dinner with her and a number of very cool writers and industry folks. I’m not saying every interaction is going to go kismet, but you never know what connections you’ll make or things you’ll learn by taking the riskier step of saying “yes” to a new experience.
Be open. Attend a panel on a topic you know nothing about. Do the writing prompt in the workshop session. Sign-up for literary karaoke. Go to the author/agent speed dating. Sit in on the reading. Go to the writerly cocktail hour or meet up with a few new friends for a quiet dinner. Give out those lovely business cards. Try a little of everything, time and energy permitting.
Introvert tip: Don’t be afraid to take a break. It’s a lot to be ON the whole length of a conference. Be sure to take time to refuel and relax if you can, get a little fresh air, have a granola bar. Journal or read or scroll your phone. You don’t have to attend everything or talk to everyone. Take the space you need to be able to enjoy the con.
After:
Follow-up. You gave out business cards; hopefully you collected some too! Reach out to relevant and interesting contacts just to say “hey was cool to meet you” or to follow up on specific requests. If an agent said they’d like to see pages, SEND THEM. If you don’t feel comfortable reaching out directly, you can sign up for newsletters or follow new contacts on social media to keep in touch.
Process. You just had a lot of new info (and people!) added to your brain! It will take time to sink in. Sometimes this manifests as a desire to write immediately; others feel like they can’t write anything for a bit. Either is ok! Review your notes, highlight things you want to remember, and take that info forward into your work.
Introvert tip: Nap.
Writing/Marketing Resources
Huge thanks to writer pal
for this incredible Book Launch Survival Guide from author Aiden Thomas. Loved his advice about setting up a Linktr.ee and set one up for my anthology!Writer and editor Emma Pei Yin shares great actionable tips for launching an author Instagram page.
A fascinating look at how New York’s first Black librarians changed the way we read. {New York Time — free gift}
Agent
shares an inside look on when to follow up with your agent!
Reading Corner
I’ve recently read three amazing personal essays by authors on writing through, about, around, and with trauma. These are not easy reads, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking of the questions they pose: how can (or does) a person live with trauma? What does it mean to reject a sense of personal history in order continue living, even if it’s a life of silence? Why do we need to feel comfortable in the rightness of the art we engage with? How do we know when to trust our willingness for compassion against compassion for ourselves?
The Kidnapping I Can’t Escape by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, author of Fleishman is in Trouble {NYT - free link}
What I’m Doing About Alice Munro by
Tayor, author of The Late Americans {}- , author of MaryLou is Everywhere { }
If writing is opening up a way for you to process things in your own life, checking out Jennifer Crystal’s Writing to Heal Immersive Program for a safe, guided space to experiment with story and form. Applications due 7/22.
Industry News:
Hachette Reorgs Workman, Moves Algonquin into Little, Brown and Discountinues Algonquin for Young Readers. {Publisher’s Weekly}
The New York Times surveyed over 500 novelists and book folks to determine the Best 100 Books of the 21st Century {free link}. Obviously this list is not comprehensive. What other books do you think deserve to be on there?
Ugh. Earlier this month, Neil Gaiman was accused of sexual assault {AV Club}. Last week, the Toronto Star reported that Alice Munro had been complicit in her daughter’s sexual abuse {Toronto Star — free link}. Both of these stories contain graphic details of the allegations, so take care— its upsetting.
I highly recommend the above essay by Brandon Taylor, who talks about the Munro reveal specifically (TW: sexual/child abuse), as well as his take on the idea of the art vs. the artist. You can also read my post, “Holding Truths” for my general take re: problematic authors.
Tea
As my sister says, it’s “pint-a-day July!” No, she’s not talking about beer, she’s talking about blueberries. And what better way to celebrate than with Harney & Son’s Blueberry Green Iced Tea. With the round, grassy notes of green tea and lemon grass, and the aromatic sweetness of dried blueberries, it’s ideal for sipping on a hot summer day.
Be open and try something new this week. Remember you can make a difference. Your efforts and your stories matter.
~Allison
Writer & Marketing Coach
Keep Writing, Keep Connecting! Substack | Facebook | Website | BlueSky | Anthology
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