The Conference Schmooze

Writing Conferences are part of the publishing game. Whether you’re an agent, author, bookseller, editor, or publicist, at one time or another, you have to go to a conference. I love seeing conference virgins; getting there early, attending every panel, taking vigorous notes and hanging on panelists’ every word.

 

For us veterans, conferences mean nice dinners with your entourage (editor, agent, publicist), lots of smiling and handshaking, and of course, lots of late nights at the bar. Conferences are exhausting, can be expensive, but are necessary and, let’s face it, a lot of fun.

 

A few tips for getting the most out of your conference:

 

Research. If you’re an aspiring writer, know the agents and editors who are going to be there. Go into a pitch meeting knowing who their clients are and what types of books they represent. Published authors: know which reviewers, key librarians, and book bloggers are in attendance. Read up on their latest reviews so you know the types of books they like. Also, if you’re looking to ask that big-name author for a blurb, you might want to read their latest book.

 

Know your pitch. I was surprised to learn that this is an area I need to work on as a publicist. At Left Coast Crime, writers were coming up to me asking, “What do you do?” I smiled and replied, “I’m a book publicist.” They smiled and nodded, “Yes, but as a book publicist, what do you do?”

 

My website has a nice, 2-line pitch about what Kaye Publicity offers, but I found myself going on and on about all the different things I’ve done for clients. If I was an author in a pitch meeting, the agent would have already tuned out.

 

All authors (and apparently publicists) should have their 2-line elevator pitch down cold. If you’re looking for an agent, you should also know your platform, genre, and a couple of books that are similar to yours. If you’re a published author talking to a potential reader, give them the 2-line pitch, but then be prepared to elaborate. And please, PLEASE, don’t start your pitch with, “It’s about this guy…”

 

Work on conversation skills. People LOVE to talk about themselves. They don’t always like to listen to someone else talk about themselves. If you’re looking to network and make connections, ask people questions and be genuinely interested in the answers. I’ve seen so many authors blow it by going on and on about their book and how great they are. Nobody cares. Ask a librarians about their libraries, ask authors about their background, ask agents about what they’re reading lately. They’ll go on and on and never forget you.

 

Be open minded. I had drinks with Judy Bobolik last night, an avid mystery reader who reads at least one book a day and co-chaired Bouchercon 2008. She was describing how certain authors at mystery conventions, as soon as she mentioned that she’s not a reviewer, agent, or big-name author, would start looking around the room, trying to find someone better to talk to.

 

Those authors are idiots.

 

As authors, readers are the ones you want to connect with. They’re the ones keeping you in business. Obsessive readers like Judy probably buy over 100 books a year; don’t you want yours to be one of them?

 

Be professional. Have business cards. Have an up-to-date website. Dress in business casual. Don’t drink too much and stick to appropriate conversations. While it’s fun to hang out with your friends, you’re ultimately there to work.

 

Any other tips for the conference newbies? Which conferences are you attending this year?

Comments

[CJ West]

Dana,

I think your pitch is better than you give yourself credit for. As for authors tuning readers out, I'm surprised because I've found the authors at LCC and BCON to be very engaging. Yes, I'm a writer, but I haven't seen other writers looking for the door. Mary, wherever you are, I'll sit down and chat with you anytime.

In my limited experience, I've found that Bouchercon is more fan-friendly. There were more opportunities to interact with readers and I found myself chatting in the lounge or having lunch with many more fans than I did at LCC.

[Mike Dennis]

Good post, Dana. I especially agree with your comment on authors connecting with readers. The night of the LCC cocktail party prior to the awards banquet, I was wandering around by myself with a drink in my hand until two ladies got my attention.

One was in her 50s, the other in her 60s, and it turned out they were avid crime fiction readers. We talked a little about my upcoming novel and my website, I gave them each a business card, but mostly we talked about where they were from, what type of stuff they like to read, how did they like LA, and so on.

Another good place to make connections is the book room, where you have indie booksellers AND readers in the same spot.

[Atsiko]

Well, I've got the listening thing down pat; since I'm unpublished, I have no books to rave about, and so I get lots of practice listening and enjoying hearing others. I enjoy learning and connecting.

My advice would be think back to when you had nothing to talk about, and try to act like you would have then. Grain of salt though, since I've never had the chance to test this at a con.

[Lauren Roberts]

As a book reviewer who runs a literary website, I encourage authors to talk to us as people too. To be looked at as my cats look at birds ('fresh flesh!") is scary, and makes me want to get away as fast as I can. But I love, love, love talking to anyone at a conference in a conversational mode. Go that route, and you'll have my attention and appreciation. Focusing on me solely as "Potential Reviewer" of your book makes me feel like your next meal. This is not good.

[Tawna Fenske]

In my extreme ignorance, I used to think conferences were just for aspiring authors desperate to get published. Since I'm not a fan of social interaction, I figured I'd avoid attending one as long as possible, and then I'd be home free once I inked a book deal.

Uh, no. One of the first things my new editor said after calling to congratulate me on the book deal was, "so we'll be seeing you at RWA Nationals, right?"

Um...guess so?

My agent is likewise pushing me to get involved with local groups and conferences, which has led me to conclude I was a big fat idiot in my earlier belief about who attends those things.

Thank you for these exceptionally helpful tips. I have a feeling they'll come in handy!

Tawna

[Mark Phialas]

Thanks very much for this post.

[Donna Coe-Velleman]

Thanks for the wisdom, Dana. Appreciate it.