Conference Preparation by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS
Writer conferences provide authors with opportunities to learn, network, and pitch their work. Attending at least one annually is a vital part being a professional author. The following tips will ensure you get the most out of your conference experience.
Conference Classes
Review all the classes offered on the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference website to determine which ones would be best for you to attend. Create a list of the classes you plan to attend. Next, check the conference schedule to make sure there are no conflicts. Pre-conference planning is crucial. You can always tweak what you planned, but conferences are fast-paced and there is no time to figure out what classes you will take after you arrive.
One Sheet and Book Proposal
Create a one sheet and book proposal for any book you want to pitch. Include the first three chapters of the book in the proposal. If it is a children’s book include the entire manuscript. I recommend you get those chapters professionally edited. During a conference appointment, hand the publisher your one sheet as you smile and look in their eyes. The faculty member can peruse your one sheet as you sit down and get settled. You want to take advantage of every minute because 15 minutes goes by very quickly. If he or she requests a book proposal for the project you pitched, show how prepared you are by handing them a book proposal. That shows the publisher that you are prepared and willing to do the work necessary to get your book published.
Faculty Appointments
Read each of the faculty bios on the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference website. Determine if there is someone on staff that would be beneficial for you to meet. If yes, keep track of each faculty member that you want to make appointments with on the Notes app of your cell phone.
If you don’t need to make an appointment with a faculty member, but would still like to connect with them, plan to sit at their table during a meal. Reference your faculty list when you’re at the conference to help you juggle everything you set out to accomplish. Don’t try to remember it all. Reviewing your organized lists when you arrive is a lifesaver.
Arrive on time to your appointment with faculty members. Stand a couple of yards away but close enough that the staff person can see that their next appointment has arrived. When the faculty member looks up and sees you, it helps that person to stay on time.
Conference Contests
Enter conference contests. If you finalize in a contest, you become an award-winning author. Your goal is to reach that designation so you can include it in your bio.
I obtained my agent through submitting a critique to him at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and subsequently winning third place in the contest. After placing in the contest, Cyle Young offered to become my agent.
Critiques show a publisher or agent how well you write. Winning a contest validates the quality of your writing. When my book 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates won the Selah award, I had the owner of a well-known literary agency approach me about representation. Contests get you on the map to publication. So enter the Living Water Awards before March 1 at https://bluelakecwr.com/contest/.
Connections
Conferences are not just for learning but for cultivating industry relationships. With each conference, you meet more publishing professionals and gain more contacts. During a conference, be sure to collect conferees’ business cards, and when you get home go to everyone’s website listed on their card and friend them on each social media network. This is how to build our platform. Continue to stay in contact with these incredible individuals you meet at conferences. As you have no idea how a fellow author may positively influence your career.
Summary
As authors we need to invest in our career by attending writers conferences. And we need to prepare for the conference as well. This list should help you plan for a conference:
- List the classes you plan to attend. If one requires you to sign up in advance, get your name on the list early.
- Create a one sheet.
- Complete a book proposal.
- Include the first three professionally edited chapters of your book in your proposal.
- Create a faculty appointments list and another list of people you want to sit with during a meal.
- Enter your work in the conference contest.
- Review your lists during the conference.
You spend a lot of time and money attending a conference. It is essential to perform pre-conference planning to get the most value for the money spent. I hope these tips help.
Author Bio
As a Certified AWSA Writer Coach, Susan Neal RN, MBA, MHS, desires to help others publish and sell their God-given message. She is the author of eight healthy living books. Susan won the 2020 Christian Author Network Excellence in Marketing Award for Outstanding Broadcast Media for her book marketing campaign. Susan is the Director of Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA) and Christian Indie Awards. You can find Susan at SusanUNeal.com.
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