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Saturday 13 October 2012

Writing Conferences: Everyone's a fan-girl, everyone's a writer.

by Jo Wyton

I've just read this fantastic blog by agent Susan Hawk on how to get the most out of a conference, and with the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) conference creeping ever closer, I have been thinking a lot about my first ever conference experience. It was last year, in fact, and it was nothing short of terrifying.


Don't get me wrong - there was a lot of comfort to be had, too. There were friends everywhere - some of them had been friends for long enough that there was no chance they were going to escape from me now, and others were acquaintances from Facebook and so on who I was happy to finally meet in person.

So there was endless support and pats on the back and easy chatter about books and writing.

A packed room! (Photo by Candy Gourlay)


And then there were the authors, agents and editors. 

Goodness me, how nervous I was.

That guy over there - I've idolised his books for years. Should I go over and say hi? Nah, he's probably talking to somebody important.

Oh, and that editor standing by the bar - she edited my favourite book from last year. I wonder if it'd be worth introducing myself? Nope - she's probably got a whole list of people to talk to who aren't going to pitch at her all night.

As for that agent - don't even think about it. Even if she does represent a couple of authors who write similar books to you. She will not want to be bothered by somebody pitching at her until she feels the need to down four glasses of the good stuff.

It was only when a good friend essentially shoved me in front of an agent (who, not wanting to gaze too long in the direction of her name badge, I mistook for an author of the same name) that I dared talk to anybody I didn't already know. We spoke for a few minutes, and then she said the six words that automatically make you want to dance and curl up in a quivering ball on the floor:

So, tell me about your book. 

Oh, God. Oh God oh God Oh God.

Now what am I supposed to do? Well, I suppose telling her about my book and not panicking would be a good start, wouldn't it?

So that's exactly what I did. And you know what? She was interested. She asked to see it when it was finished. And when she'd seen it, she told me that she really liked it. In this case it didn't go any further than that, but it what other way would I have found an agent to read my full manuscript so quickly? Having the ability to write "I met you at the SCBWI conference in November..." (or any other conference or event for that matter) at the top of your query letter is a fantastic thing to be able to do, and I have no idea if I'd have thought to submit to this particular agent if I hadn't met her.

Here are two things I learned at that conference: 

1. Everyone's a fan-girl. Or a fan-boy. Every author at every conference expects to be approached by people, and they hope to hear that the person really likes their books. It's sort of part of the deal for authors. They like it. It's OK to approach them and tell them you're a fan.

2. Everyone's a writer. Agents and editors expect to be pitched at when they attend these events. It's why they go. They aren't there because they enjoy travelling for two hours on a cold train to be surrounded by strangers - they enjoy talking about books, and they're excited at the prospect of finding a new client.

Everyone's a fan-boy! Even authors themselves like Dave Cousins, here getting a book signed by Frank Cottrell Boyce, who looks giddy at the mere prospect!

So go to conferences. Make contacts. Pitch. Be nervous about it, but do it anyway. You never know what might happen...

Note: I don't want anyone to think that pitching is the only reason to got to a conference like the SCBWI one! It's a great learning experience, and a fantastic opportunity to figure out how the publishing industry works. Meeting agents and editors is just a lovely cherry on top!

28 comments:

  1. Great post, Jo. It was my first conference too and I was a bit nervous but having made online scoobie friends over the previous two years meant it was like attending a family party with a host of long lost cousins.
    To those attending for the first time I would recommend having a good lifelike picture for social networking profiles so that people can recognise you.
    I'd had a quirky bird drawing for quite a while instead of a picture and even though I'd changed it to the real me a month before the conference this was a repeating pattern during the weekend - I would say an enthusiastic hello to someone I knew online, they would give me a quizzical look of 'Who are you and why are you accosting me in such a fashion.' Then they would look at my badge and see the name and then it was 'Your Maureen!' hug. So get that profile sorted and say hi online first. And wear your conference badge high enough for people to see it. Clipping it to bottom of your cardy will not work.
    As to editors and agents - I was shy and didn't approach them but - this happened.
    I'd won UV by this time and my lovely friend Stephanie McGregor was sharing her hotel room with one of the judges who'd asked to see more of my work. She was then able to introduce me to the editor the next morning. It didn't come to anything in the end but it might have. So, if you are a bit shy of pushing yourself forward, find someone else who isn't and ask them to introduce you. And be ready with your three line pitch. I might do a blog on that.
    Thanks Jo.

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    1. Gosh! I seem to have written half a blog already!

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    2. That certainly is a mighty old comment, Maureen! Not much left to write of that blog, then!

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  2. I agree with Maureen about finding someone to introduce you to the publishing people. I'm so grateful to the people who did this for me early on (take a bow, Candy Gourlay!) and I really enjoyed helping a couple of people with introductions at the agents' party. Plus you get to run away and let them do the pitch instead of you ;-)

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    1. And you were MY pusher, Nick! Thank you thank you thank you!

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    2. Was I? I'd forgotten that! Well done me :-)

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  3. Thanks for these great tips! I'm planning to go to SCBWI this year and I haven't been before. As a nerdy, introverted writer, it is a little scary to think about, even though I'm excited.

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    1. You should definitely feel excited, Andrea! It is a fun experience, even if it is a little bit scary too! Are you coming along to the 'meet your region' on the sunday morning? If so, I might see you there!

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  4. True Confessions of a Wimpy Writer:
    I never pitched or even spoke to an agent or editor at my first SCBWI conference (or my second, or my third...). Other than in one to ones, where, you know, you kind of have to.
    So it isn't essential at your first conference if you're not ready.
    But I got so much out of each and every one of them, just the same!

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    1. Wow, really? That's impressive! It was all Nick Cross's fault for me last year...

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  5. p.s. not sure Dave is going to like being called a Fan Girl!

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    1. Fan-boy, fan-girl? It's all the same to me, Teri! In the presence of authors who have inspired and enriched me I'm a fan full-stop. I doubt anybody gets tired of being told their work is appreciated.
      Great post, Jo – look forward to seeing you in November.

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    2. Thanks, Dave - you too! And I'm sure we'll all be gushing over your next book too when we finally get our mitts on it...!

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  6. Great post. I'm nervous about going to one and haven't yet. It does terrify me! But you've made me feel better about it. Thanks!

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  7. I've never pitched to an agent or editor at a conference either. There are so many people milling around, I think it's good to be aware that you may not get the chance to speak to many industry people.

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  8. Sorry! I don't mean to sound negative above. But I've been to 4 conferences and never talked to an editor there and only talked to an agent once. And I wasn't trying to avoid them honest! So perhaps, if its your first time, don't necessarily expect to get the chance to pitch.
    But DO go to make friends with other writers and illustrators, and enjoy all the sessions which are excellent! I owe a LOT to the conferences!

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    1. You're very right, Paula! I think there are lots of industry people there, but as with any industry, it's very closely knit, and people know each other well and it's sometimes hard to get in there. I think what I mean more is not to shy away from it because you think you'll bore them or similar.

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    2. I'm afraid to say I pitched to about 5 different people at the last conference alone. Shameless, I know.

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  9. Yes, you're right - they're lovely people and very happy to be approached! I shall go back to hiding in my cave now!

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  10. My first SCBWI conference was last year too, it was weird but lovely seeing, in person, all those people I'd mostly been tweeting with. I think I muddled a few people at first, so good tip from Maureen about making sure your social networking picture is the real you. I'm looking forward to meeting more lovely people this year. The sessions are excellent and I got a lot of encouragement from my MS review.
    I'm a shrinking violet as far as pitching at conferences is concerned (it's the only way I am shrinking btw). But I do like talking to people and asking about their work, I've learned so much that way; people are very interesting. I don't shrink from telling someone I like what they're doing, because I think everyone like to hear that.
    Maybe first timers could wear a badge if they wanted, so we all know who they are and can make a special point of saying hello? It would be a bit like a Friendship Stop in school playgrounds.

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  11. I'm not part of a region in the UK as I live in Ireland, but I hope I can hobnob with a lot the SCBWI BI crowd when I'm there! We are taking notes and learning all we can from you guys and gals!! Colleen :)

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    1. We all like a good bit of hobnobbing, Colleen! I take it you're coming to the conference? Come along to the 'meet your region' even if you don't belong to one as such - I'm sure a region will adopt you for the day ;o)

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  12. Very interesting point of view, though I've never considered conferences as places to pitch stories, in fact it's positively frowned upon at the big US national conferences. Hobnobbing is a good word though - that's what conferences are all about, not so much selling your project as selling yourself, strenghtening bonds within your peers and making connections in the industry which you can then work on when you get home.
    You didn't mention illustrators in your post Jo - it's not all about writing you know!

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    1. I definitely don't consider these conferences places to pitch - more that people expect to talk about your work, whether that's other writers, agents or editors, and not to be scared of it! They are absolutely places to network - with friends and industry folk - and to learn more about your craft.

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  13. Glad to here that I'm not the only one who talks myself out of approaching and pitching to people! But as your advice when I go to Winchester for my First Ever Writers Conference - I WILL PITCH. Better start practising now though...

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  14. Great post, Jo! I don't think I've ever pitched anything at a conference myself, but even if you don't buttonhole anyone, you can still get plenty of fellow writers asking "What's your book about?" So you're right - it pays to be prepared!

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  15. True Confessions of a Wimpy Writer, part 2:
    I did speak to Barry Cunningham at a SCBWI conference once, oh yes I did!
    I walked right up to him, and said, 'where's the bar?' (I believe he had a drink in his hand at the time).
    Later at dinner when the keynote started, I found out who he was.
    Of course that didn't stop me from sending him a submission afterwards that began with 'we spoke at the recent SCBWI conference'. Since we clearly did.

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