| janfields |
Join us this afternoon
in the AUDITORIUM-Scheduled Events Room for an open forum chat on
the topic of conferences. Are you considering a conference? Want to
know what to expect? Need tips? Chat begins in five
minutes.
|
| janfields |
This afternoon's open
forum chat about conferences, will begin shortly. While you wait for
chat to begin, feel free to use your ASK A QUESTION button RIGHT
BETWEEN THE YELLOW “MAP” AND THE RED QUESTION MARK IN ICHAT to post
some questions on finding good conferences, how to judge the good
ones, and what to do at the conference. Chat will begin two minutes
from now.
|
| janfields |
Hi, and welcome to open
forum. I'm your host/moderator, Jan Fields -- and tonight we're here
to chat about conferences. This weekend I'm speaking out my local
SCBWI conference so I'm very much thinking about conferences. If you
want to ask a question about conferences and be sure I get a chance
to see it...you'll need to use either the "ask a question" button on
the bar across the middle of your screen. OR type a backslash /
followed immediately by the word ask...then space once and type your
question. That passes the question to me and I can post it and give
my best shot at an answer. Now, let's get going.
|
| janfields |
I chose conferences for
our topic today because I'm heading off to one on
Friday...
|
| janfields |
I'll be speaking at the
New England Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
conference...
|
| janfields |
SCBWI is the biggest
provider of children's writing conferences....
|
| janfields |
Although the Highlights
Foundation also does several "workshops" every
year.
|
| janfields |
My topic will be -- how
to tell what you've written...
|
| janfields |
How do decide if you've
written a picture book...
|
| janfields |
magazine
story....
|
| janfields |
Or something that
should be developed...
|
| janfields |
into a novel or other
book length work.
|
| janfields |
After SCBWI and
Highlights, most other conferences tend to be mixed...with only a
small portion of material for children's writers.
|
| janfields |
But all conferences
have certain things in common...
|
| janfields |
lots of
people...
|
| janfields |
many of whom are at
their first ever conference...
|
| janfields |
and semi-freaked
out.
|
| janfields |
So...let me turn to the
questions.
|
| janfields |
Xu Li: Where can we
find out the conference's information?
|
| janfields |
SCBWI conference info
-- http://www.scbwi.org/regions_events2.htm
|
| in |
|
|
|
| Illustrator's
Market -- both of those books include conferences outside
SCBWI |
|
| janfields |
Along with conferences,
there are also "retreats" and workshops...
|
| janfields |
which are similar only
much more interactive.
|
| janfields |
At most retreats...you
do writing while you are there.
|
| janfields |
And you are matched
with a "mentor" who reads your work and give
pointers.
|
| janfields |
At workshops, you have
less direct "mentorish" contact but they are still usually easier to
connect with editors etc...
|
| janfields |
than
conferences.
|
| janfields |
Conferences are often
crowded, noisy, and very busy.
|
| janfields |
I actually love
them.
|
| janfields |
MARY: Short of shoving
our manuscripts into the face of every publisher at a conference,
how do we work to crowd for landing a successful publishing
contract?
|
| janfields |
You actually stand
nearly zero chance of selling a manuscript at a
conference.
|
| janfields |
Agents and editors
really really really really really don't want to see your manuscript
at a conference.
|
| janfields |
About the only
manuscripts seen at conferences are those getting paid
critiques.
|
| janfields |
Many conferences do
offer that option (for a price) from attendees.
|
| janfields |
And I've heard folks
say they found the critiques very worthwhile...and sometimes those
critiques...
|
| janfields |
have led to sales to
the editor doing the critique...
|
| janfields |
but that still happens
less often. Usually you just get a good critique...
|
| janfields |
that helps you fix
issues with the manuscript.
|
| janfields |
Now, conferences ARE
great networking opportunities.
|
| janfields |
The most folks you know
in this business, the better...really.
|
| janfields |
And not just
editors.
|
| janfields |
Every other attendee is
a potentially valuable networking opportunity...
|
| janfields |
since meeting other
writers gives us a bigger pool of support...
|
| janfields |
and gives us more
people with whom to trade information.
|
| janfields |
And information is
incredibly valuable at making your submissions more
efficient.
|
| janfields |
If you find out a
certain editor HATES cats, for example, you can save submitting your
cat book...likewise you might find another who loves
cats.
|
| writersblock |
How do you meet
editors/agents at a conference? Do you just walk up and introduce
yourself?
|
| janfields |
Yeah, pretty much I
do.
|
| janfields |
And then I NEVER NEVER
NEVER talk about my writing.
|
| janfields |
I talk about that
person...that editor, that agent
|
| janfields |
I ask how big the slush
pile was when they left and if they are scared to go
home...
|
| janfields |
I ask what their
favorite book they've read lately is...
|
| janfields |
I ask what they think
of the big plagerism scandal...
|
| janfields |
whatever comes to mind,
I show that (1) I'm interested in that person
|
| janfields |
And I am interested in
the business.
|
| janfields |
I never ever mention my
writing unless the agent/editor asks.
|
| janfields |
And, if they have time
...a surprising number do ask.
|
| janfields |
Because they find it so
refreshing to meet someone who isn't PITCHING something to
them.
|
| writersblock |
Are the agents/editors
usually surrounded by people at all times? If so, how do you meet
them (without having to follow them to the bathroom)?
:-)
|
| janfields |
A writer friend of mine
made a joke about following an editor to the bathroom (she didn't do
it, just joked)
|
| janfields |
and the editor got very
stiff...clearly the bathroom thing is freakier to them than it is to
me...
|
| janfields |
to me, it's
funny.
|
| janfields |
Anyway, yes, they tend
to be surrounded RIGHT after the workshop...but they also attend
other workshops...
|
| janfields |
and you can often chat
them up before the workshop when they are just in the audience, same
as you.
|
| janfields |
Or chat them up after
the workshop when everyone is rushing the workshop
reader.
|
| janfields |
That's why it pays to
look up all the faculty for any conference on the internet and try
to find photos
|
| janfields |
so you can spot these
folks.
|
| janfields |
I've actually had
EDITORS come up to me to start conversations about something they
saw me post on a discussion board...
|
| janfields |
or mailing
list.
|
| janfields |
Editors often lurk on
those places, so making yourself available (as best you can with
what you know) and ALWAYS being nice is important.
|
| janfields |
MINKADOO: I'm going to
my first writer's conference in June, what's expected of
me?
|
| janfields |
No one will demand
anything of you as an attendee...
|
| janfields |
conferences are
designed to make you feel good...
|
| janfields |
to meet your
needs...
|
| janfields |
and provide you with
inspiration, goodies, and information.
|
| janfields |
I was TERRIFIED at my
first conference.
|
| janfields |
I just knew I was going
to get into a workshop session and have to write something spur of
the moment...
|
| janfields |
and read it aloud so
everyone could see how much my top-of-the-head writing
sucks.
|
| janfields |
But it just doesn't
work like that.
|
| janfields |
Even interactive
workshops don't demand anything of you or embarrass
you.
|
| janfields |
Conferences are about
feeding you, not making you work.
|
| tolkienlvr |
Question for all - anyone
here attending the Writer's Digest Writers Conference May 17th in
Washington DC by chance?
|
| janfields |
Oh, man, I would love
to do a DC conference...I'll have to check out that one for next
year and see if they need a speaker :-)
|
| jolie |
How do you find these
conferences?
|
| janfields |
I mostly go to to SCBWI
conferences, which I find out their website
http://www.scbwi.org
|
| janfields |
I also hear about
conferences on discussion boards, the boards at
http://www.verlakay.com are good, folks often talk about where they
are going.
|
| janfields |
And if you look up the
highlights foundation on google...you can get a listing of their
conferences...
|
| janfields |
which are very good and
VERY expensive.
|
| writersblock |
You can probably tell
I've never been to a conference (though I hope to be able to
attend). When you went to your first conference, was it
overwhelming?
|
| janfields |
In some way, yes. I am
very very shy (don't laugh, really, I am)
|
| janfields |
So I found the huge
bustle of people intimidating.
|
| janfields |
And having to pick a
table for lunch took me right back to junior high!
|
| janfields |
But I found that lots
of other people are shy too and when I just MADE myself talk to
folks around me...they were very friendly.
|
| janfields |
And very relieved that
someone was talking to them.
|
| janfields |
Still, I'll be
honest...I now make my husband come to all conferences so I never
never have to eat alone :-)
|
| janfields |
Loreen asks if it's a
good idea to be a member of a writer's organization and if it helps
...
|
| janfields |
Some organizations, if
they are tough to get into can give you some extra
credability.
|
| janfields |
When I did newspapers,
some journalism organizations were like that.
|
| janfields |
And from those days, I
discovered I really like belonging to professional organizations for
my career.
|
| janfields |
You get a lot of good
information and networking from professional
organization.
|
| janfields |
So I think it helps
HUGE for that...you can find things out quicker even than just
subscribing to industry magazines [like Children's
Writer]
|
| janfields |
And editors do like
seeing that you're "investing" in your career and making an effort
to learn about the industry and being a member of
writing
|
| janfields |
organizations shows
that.
|
| janfields |
But I also know very
good writers who aren't joiners and do fine...so it isn't a
requirement at all.
|
| emacartist37 |
Are conferences worth it
for all writers?
|
| janfields |
I've heard a lot of
well published authors who never go to conferences unless they are
speaking...
|
| janfields |
MOST conferences really
top out on value at about the intermediate point in your
career...
|
| janfields |
at least the workshops
themselves do...
|
| janfields |
because eventually you
don't hear anything you don't know...
|
| janfields |
but I still like them
for the networking (though it could be argued that I'm sort of
intermediate...magazine mogul though I am :-)
|
| writersblock |
I'm kind of shy too
(believe it or not) and I'm afraid I'd be too scared to mingle and
make it worth the I spent to attend. That is the main reason for not
having attended a conference yet. How do I get over my
fear?
|
| janfields |
I do it by ALWAYS going
with someone.
|
| janfields |
That, all by itself,
takes care of most fear because you never feel really
excluded.
|
| janfields |
I take my husband
...now he isn't a writer...but he loves the workshops on technology
and writing.
|
| janfields |
And he just likes
people..which makes him a great companion.
|
| janfields |
So if you're shy and
it's humanly possible...connect with an online friend and hang out
together once you get to the conference.
|
| janfields |
MINKADOO: Should I
bring anything special with me?
|
| janfields |
Okay, there are things
you need to bring to maxamize the conference
experience...
|
| janfields |
always bring a
totebag...
|
| janfields |
a big
one.
|
| janfields |
Conferences give you
GOBS and GOBS of stuff...guidelines, publisher catalogs, sample
magazines...
|
| janfields |
writing
magazines...
|
| janfields |
book promotion stuff
... like posters.
|
| janfields |
I always bring an empty
paper towel tube in my tote bag.
|
| janfields |
So when I find a poster
I like, I can roll it up and slip it into the tube.
|
| janfields |
That helps get them
home alive.
|
| janfields |
My daughter has
wonderful book posters in her room from
conferences.
|
| janfields |
Always bring a bottle
of water.
|
| janfields |
Conferences try to put
out enough drinks for everyone...
|
| janfields |
but sometimes you get
dying of thirst in the middle of a workshop...
|
| janfields |
and I know I TOTALLY
don't have the nerve to get up and go get a drink while someone is
talking.
|
| janfields |
So I pack a water
bottle.
|
| janfields |
Bring plenty of paper
and several very good pens.
|
| janfields |
Never trust one
pen.
|
| janfields |
And bring business
cards.
|
| janfields |
Now, most of us don't
have buisness cards...I mean really, they feel very "hey look at
me"
|
| janfields |
But I keep cardstock on
hand
|
| janfields |
And if my daughter
hasn't snuck off with it to make paperdolls...
|
| janfields |
I can make up a quick
batch of cards with my name, my genre and my email
address...
|
| janfields |
and for me...all my
urls
|
| janfields |
That way if I make a
new friend who wants my contact info...boom...I can hand it over in
a second...
|
| janfields |
and if an editor should
say...Hey, why don't you send me something?
|
| janfields |
I can give her a card
to remember me by while she waits for my
submission.
|
| tolkienlvr |
Jan, what are the most
important aspects of your book to include in a 1 minute verbal
synopsis for a "1 minute pitch slam" with editors at a
conference?
|
| janfields |
Oh, my goodness...I
would rather be beaten than do one of
those...but...
|
| janfields |
I would start by
boiling my entire book down to 20 words or less.
|
| janfields |
If you book was a
television show...what would the "promo line" be?
|
| janfields |
And say that
first.
|
| janfields |
For example, my present
work in progress might be said as...
|
| janfields |
"A high school girl
learns where super heroes come from -- she is one."
|
| janfields |
Then I introduce my
character...
|
| janfields |
her main
problem...
|
| janfields |
and her inner
problem...
|
| janfields |
For example, my
character's main problem is that she suddenly has super
powers...
|
| janfields |
and has to deal with
them...
|
| janfields |
Her inner problem is
that she already felt like a freak at school because of her
background...now it's magnified.
|
| janfields |
Then I tell the genre,
length, and how close it is to done.
|
| janfields |
And I'm done...one
minute...slam.
|
| janfields |
All you want to do is
make the book interesting...show you have a lively
problem.
|
| janfields |
And leave the editor
asking questions.
|
| loreen |
What information do you
put on the biz cards?
|
| janfields |
name, email contact,
genre I write in
|
| janfields |
For me...I also do
URLS...but if you don't have a webpage, don't worry about
it.
|
| janfields |
If you had published
books, I would list those maybe too.
|
| janfields |
MINKADOO: I don't even
know what I should wear?
|
| janfields |
People dress in
everything you could possibly imagine.
|
| janfields |
I have seen dress
suits.
|
| janfields |
I have seen jeans and
nice blouses.
|
| janfields |
I have seen
SHORTS
|
| janfields |
Wear something
comfortable but that looks good on you and makes you feel
good.
|
| janfields |
You need to feel good
about how you look.
|
| janfields |
But don't worry too
much about "will I be wearing what everyone else is
wearing"
|
| janfields |
because you
won't...everyone will be wearing different stuff.
|
| janfields |
I recommend layers
because every room you enter will be freezing or
sweltering.
|
| janfields |
I have never met a
happy medium at a conference.
|
| janfields |
So you need to have a
sweater that you can slip off
|
| janfields |
And something fairly
cool underneath.
|
| janfields |
MINKADOO: Can I bring a
tape recorder?
|
| janfields |
I have seen some
conference folks grumble about tape recorders but I see them at ever
single conference.
|
| janfields |
I alway take one,
personally, because I like to corner innocent editors and ask
questions I can use in articles
|
| janfields |
I don't record
presentations but lots of folks do.
|
| janfields |
I know conferences
would prefer you not widely distribute details transcripts of
workshops...
|
| janfields |
some leaders do a lot
of workshops and if you record and transcribe and post the
stuff...
|
| janfields |
they have to abandon
that topic.
|
| writersblock |
What about a video
camera? Are you allowed to record
presentations/speakers?
|
| janfields |
I would HIGHLY doubt
it.
|
| janfields |
But do bring a
camera.
|
| janfields |
My husband always takes
care of that part but it's such fun to have photos of your new
friends.
|
| janfields |
Xu Li: Can we give our
manuscripts to editors in conferences? Do editors read
manuscripts(very short) or outlines
|
| How do we impress
editors and sell our articles or |
|
|
|
| janfields |
Editors don't want
manuscripts given them at conferences.
|
| janfields |
Depending upon how far
from NYC the conference is..they probably flew.
|
| janfields |
They don't want to pack
your manuscript.
|
| janfields |
If you chat them up,
and you're friendly, and you seem interested in them and they're
work.
|
| janfields |
They may invite you to
submit to them...don't introduce the topic of your work unless asked
though.
|
| janfields |
And if you're making a
good impression...it's amazing how fast they will
ask.
|
| janfields |
And then after the
conference, you can submit your manuscript to someone who actually
want to see it.
|
| janfields |
Which is always
nice.
|
| emacartist37 |
what are the best three
conferences for children's writers?
|
| janfields |
It totally depends on
where you live
|
| janfields |
and what your
personality is.
|
| janfields |
I know some folks who
LOVE the SCBWI nationals
|
| janfields |
And they do get very
impressive speakers.
|
| janfields |
I would rather have my
head shaved
|
| janfields |
I just don't like that
level of rush...and you get ZERO chance to talk to the
speakers...ZERO
|
| janfields |
They actually make sure
you don't
|
| janfields |
That doesn't happen at
small conferences.
|
| janfields |
The Highlights
conference is probably the cream of the crop for speaker/attendee
interaction...
|
| janfields |
but it's
expensive
|
| janfields |
I also know folks who
love the little conference/retreat dealee they do at
Rutgers...
|
| janfields |
but that is screened,
you have to submit some of your work...
|
| janfields |
and
|
| janfields |
"pass" to get
in.
|
| janfields |
And I know some very
good writers who didn't get in.
|
| janfields |
But that is another
conference with lots of mentor/attendee
interaction.
|
| emacartist37 |
What do the costs of
conferences range from?
|
| janfields |
Most local SCBWI
conferences are a couple hundred dollars...plus your hotel
room.
|
| janfields |
And you usually get
snacks and lunch out of the deal.
|
| janfields |
The highlights
conference is over , I believe, but I'm pretty sure room and all
food is included...
|
| janfields |
So that's pretty much
the range.
|
| niki
furfs |
Any advice for a first
time conference attendee?
|
| janfields |
Go expecting to be
inspired...the conference speakers are almost always very
inspiring.
|
| janfields |
You will be desperate
to get home and start writing.
|
| janfields |
Go intending to be
friendly...I don' t really ever run into mean folks at conference,
just shy ones.
|
| janfields |
Go not intending to
sell anything at the conference (unless your selling sweaters in
some of the cold rooms)
|
| janfields |
Conferences are for
making connections, not closing the sale.
|
| loreen |
Are writer's workshops
similar to conferences/seminars?
|
| janfields |
Conferences are mostly
"listen and absorb"
|
| janfields |
While workshops tend to
be more interactive.
|
| janfields |
But they are very
similar.
|
| janfields |
Xu Li: Do editors
dislike the writers who have accent and refuse to buy the writers'
works?
|
| janfields |
No...editors are
incredibly sweet people.
|
| janfields |
But conferences are
noisy, so it will be slightly harder to chat up an editor if you're
accent is difficult for her to understand in the noisy
setting
|
| janfields |
But I've seen editors
actually ask folks to write down the question rather than let
someone go unanswered or feel rejected.
|
| janfields |
Honestly, most of these
editors are just sweethearts.
|
| janfields |
They don't want to be
pitched to...but if you're nice, they are very pleasant to be
around.
|
| janfields |
So...that wraps up
conferences.
|
| janfields |
I will think of all of
you when I'm pontificating before a live audience.
|
| janfields |
And if any of you
happen to be there...please, chat me up.
|
| janfields |
I LOVE talking to folks
I know from "online"
|
| janfields |
Oh...that reminds
me
|
| janfields |
Conferences also sell
books.
|
| janfields |
And you can get the
authors to sign them.
|
| janfields |
My daughter has the
coolest book collection from conference books.
|
| janfields |
And you'll be amazed at
how your attitude toward editors change...
|
| janfields |
when you see
them...
|
| janfields |
and they look
15
|
| janfields |
and they are just the
sweetest things.
|
| janfields |
I'm sorry, but it's
really hard to be intimidated by some of these
folks.
|
| janfields |
So...if you get a
chance to conference...I recommend it.
|
| janfields |
It's a
blast.
|
