As I noted in my newsletter, the focus of this month’s blog post is about attending writing conferences.
Your usual writing conference includes panels, author signings, special guest interviews, cocktail parties, reading gatherings, and an awards ceremony with (sometimes) banquet. Some, like Malice Domestic, also include a lovely knitting circle led by the wonderful Ellen Byron.
And then there’s the dinners and lunches out, off-site publisher parties, and THE BAR.
I learn a ton at writing conferences. And thanks to the social aspect, I leave energized and motivated to keep writing. They are truly some of the best parts of being an author.
Here are a few tips on how to make the most of your conferences.
#1 – Do Your Research
The conference always publishes the program book well before the conference starts. Take a look at what’s on offer–panels as well as the social aspects. Bouchercon has Cozies and Cocktails and this year they had an Under-Represented Writer’s Reception, which was a blast and I hope they repeat.
And if you’re an author, you can volunteer to be on a panel at registration or shortly after. Do it. It’s fun. Plus it forces you to examine what you do well, what themes are in your book, and what other talents you have. Which helps you speak more intelligently about your work.
#2 – Listen and Take Notes
It’s important to go to the panels. The speakers have so much knowledge and experience to offer, you’d be doing yourself a disservice to not go.
Don’t chat with the person next to you. Don’t spend oodles of time on your phone. Listen to what they have to say. Take it in. Does what they’re saying fit with your lived experiences? Is there a tip or hint in there you might want to try? Do they seem like someone who’s writing in your genre, but you’ve never heard of them before?
Plus, as you make friends, you’ll want to support them by being a friendly face in the crowd and having a good question ready.
#3 – Buy the Book
You become a better writer through reading. Read. Read. Read. (And then review the books you feel you can give 4 or 5 star reviews to.) A great way to find new books and new authors in your genre is to buy those books at the conference. This means packing extremely light so you have room for all those books you’re buying. (Or you could drive. lol)
Plus you can get those authors to sign their books! Making those reads extra special.
#4 – Go to the Bar
The social aspect is equally important as the knowledge aspect. I’ve met some of the best people hanging out at the bar or hitting the sponsored cocktail parties. These are people I send my manuscripts to or text when I feel inadequate. They are my tribe.
This means you’re in for late nights. If you’re an introvert, you will need to find spaces during the day to recharge. But the bar is where the most networking happens.
#5 – Be Bold
Go introduce yourself to people. If you need to, see if you have a friend also going that you can “wingman” with. Or buddy up to someone really extroverted (HELLO!) who can introduce you to people. It will help you conserve your socialization energy and make the most of your time at the bar and the cocktail parties.
One of my rules of thumb: If you see someone three times (especially if they’re attending the same panels as you) you need to introduce yourself. You probably have a lot in common, book-wise.
#6 – Be Open to Inspiration
I get great ideas at writing conferences. I bring a notebook with me and jot down ideas, lines of dialogue, situations, “what if” questions. I may not work on these ideas right away, but I let them bake in my subconscious or doodle around with them in thought experiments.
Sometimes these ideas aren’t in my genre. That’s okay. It’s good to play!
Some of the ideas are for events. Alex Kenna (author of Burn This Night) and I met through friends and then decided to co-organize a really successful Noir and the Bar for the New Orleans Bouchercon. We’re already talking about next year.
Writing Conferences you can attend!
And there’s so many more. Just oodles of them. A quick Google will help you find the right conferences for you.
Mindy Carlson 
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