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Fiction Writer's Connection
Albuquerque, NM
Phone:(505) 352-9490
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Some Do's and Don'ts for Attending
Conferences
DO's
DO wear comfortable shoes. You will be on your feet a lot.
DO dress comfortably, but appropriately. Writers conferences are not formal
affairs, but you will be meeting agents and editors in a professional capacity
and you want to make a good impression.
DO take a ton of business cards with you to exchange with other writers and
speakers. When someone gives you his card, take a moment to jot a note to
yourself on the back so you remember who he is. When you get your cards
printed up, avoid putting "Writer" or "Author" next to your name (it's viewed as
pretentious), unless you are a professional freelancer looking for work.
DO take a notebook.
DO strike up conversations with other writers. You have at least one thing in
common, you both write. A writer's conference is an easy place to be chatty
with other people.
DO be aware of the time. Come to your agent/editor appointment on time. If
you're late, don't demand that the "time monitor" squeeze you in. Also, don't
keep the agent over the allotted time.
DONT'S
DO NOT lug your manuscript with you to the conference. Agents do not have
the time to look at the manuscript, nor will they want to carry it back to NY
with them, even if they are interested.
DO NOT take query letters or book proposals with you. Your verbal pitch to the
agents will serve as your query. If they are interested, they will ask you to mail
them more material to their
office.
DO NOT grab an agent in the rest room. Make sure what the protocol is for
meeting with agents.
DO NOT burn any bridges. You would be surprised how many writers break that
golden rule. There are always stories circulating. A writer lost a contest-
-verbally attacked the judge (in the rest room). An agent was not interested in
the writer's manuscript, the writer began berating her for her lack of intelligence
and foresight.
The writing community is small.
You don't want to become known for your lack of
professionalism.
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