tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post2918280252173911407..comments2024-02-17T09:53:06.168+00:00Comments on Notes from the Slushpile: Writing Conferences: Everyone's a fan-girl, everyone's a writer.Candy Gourlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-21733509527206113462012-10-15T18:16:14.956+01:002012-10-15T18:16:14.956+01:00True Confessions of a Wimpy Writer, part 2:
I did...True Confessions of a Wimpy Writer, part 2: <br />I did speak to Barry Cunningham at a SCBWI conference once, oh yes I did! <br />I walked right up to him, and said, 'where's the bar?' (I believe he had a drink in his hand at the time). <br />Later at dinner when the keynote started, I found out who he was.<br />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.Teri Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13641477543947472370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-8160481226099909752012-10-15T18:05:29.973+01:002012-10-15T18:05:29.973+01:00Great post, Jo! I don't think I've ever p...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!Amy Butler Greenfieldhttp://www.amybutlergreenfield.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-80412908203098238602012-10-15T10:56:00.065+01:002012-10-15T10:56:00.065+01:00Glad to here that I'm not the only one who tal...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...Sallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12759992873045228788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-83653997252847461572012-10-14T19:20:53.002+01:002012-10-14T19:20:53.002+01:00I'm afraid to say I pitched to about 5 differe...I'm afraid to say I pitched to about 5 different people at the last conference alone. Shameless, I know.Nick Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02571077124165351007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-13649284971902613562012-10-14T19:16:36.803+01:002012-10-14T19:16:36.803+01:00Was I? I'd forgotten that! Well done me :-)Was I? I'd forgotten that! Well done me :-)Nick Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02571077124165351007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-59058606257333045782012-10-14T09:11:14.251+01:002012-10-14T09:11:14.251+01:00I definitely don't consider these conferences ...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. Jo Wytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01941417444551495613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-935146264321550362012-10-14T09:05:16.503+01:002012-10-14T09:05:16.503+01:00Very interesting point of view, though I've ne...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. <br />You didn't mention illustrators in your post Jo - it's not all about writing you know!<br />John Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-76143140894997137662012-10-14T07:18:11.445+01:002012-10-14T07:18:11.445+01:00We all like a good bit of hobnobbing, Colleen! I t...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)Jo Wytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01941417444551495613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-38549198750181048572012-10-13T23:40:48.093+01:002012-10-13T23:40:48.093+01:00Me! Me! Hobnob with me!Me! Me! Hobnob with me!Candy Gourlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-69562761361231941562012-10-13T23:30:12.632+01:002012-10-13T23:30:12.632+01:00I'm not part of a region in the UK as I live i...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 :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-83830498638041490012012-10-13T22:27:49.210+01:002012-10-13T22:27:49.210+01:00My first SCBWI conference was last year too, it wa...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. <br />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.<br />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. <br />Jan Carrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11335419896028312596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-18665268607438592662012-10-13T21:52:45.975+01:002012-10-13T21:52:45.975+01:00Yes, you're right - they're lovely people ...Yes, you're right - they're lovely people and very happy to be approached! I shall go back to hiding in my cave now!Paula Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01455380645038090414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-19996138716237760182012-10-13T21:22:48.821+01:002012-10-13T21:22:48.821+01:00You're very right, Paula! I think there are lo...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.Jo Wytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01941417444551495613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-11424669316641861002012-10-13T20:41:03.168+01:002012-10-13T20:41:03.168+01:00Sorry! I don't mean to sound negative above. B...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.<br />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!Paula Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01455380645038090414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-1202688622784306152012-10-13T20:27:48.845+01:002012-10-13T20:27:48.845+01:00I've never pitched to an agent or editor at a ...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.Paula Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01455380645038090414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-47059699063264368412012-10-13T19:25:19.061+01:002012-10-13T19:25:19.061+01:00Great post. I'm nervous about going to one and...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!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-33501113711431485072012-10-13T16:20:30.192+01:002012-10-13T16:20:30.192+01:00Thanks, Dave - you too! And I'm sure we'll...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...!Jo Wytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01941417444551495613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-85841643385498866052012-10-13T16:19:26.885+01:002012-10-13T16:19:26.885+01:00Wow, really? That's impressive! It was all Nic...Wow, really? That's impressive! It was all Nick Cross's fault for me last year...Jo Wytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01941417444551495613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-45697933984298506352012-10-13T16:18:50.554+01:002012-10-13T16:18:50.554+01:00You should definitely feel excited, Andrea! It is ...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!Jo Wytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01941417444551495613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-22087818970886187492012-10-13T16:17:48.886+01:002012-10-13T16:17:48.886+01:00And you were MY pusher, Nick! Thank you thank you ...And you were MY pusher, Nick! Thank you thank you thank you!Jo Wytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01941417444551495613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-51969541797442966862012-10-13T16:17:14.626+01:002012-10-13T16:17:14.626+01:00That certainly is a mighty old comment, Maureen! N...That certainly is a mighty old comment, Maureen! Not much left to write of that blog, then!Jo Wytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01941417444551495613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-10212276127089830082012-10-13T12:19:55.170+01:002012-10-13T12:19:55.170+01:00Fan-boy, fan-girl? It's all the same to me, Te...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. <br />Great post, Jo – look forward to seeing you in November.Dave Cousinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07910281490764974261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-39712028376396164822012-10-13T11:51:43.972+01:002012-10-13T11:51:43.972+01:00p.s. not sure Dave is going to like being called a...p.s. not sure Dave is going to like being called a Fan Girl!Teri Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13641477543947472370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-77469665471969133302012-10-13T11:51:06.833+01:002012-10-13T11:51:06.833+01:00True Confessions of a Wimpy Writer:
I never pitch...True Confessions of a Wimpy Writer: <br />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.<br />So it isn't essential at your first conference if you're not ready.<br />But I got so much out of each and every one of them, just the same!<br />Teri Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13641477543947472370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-82412492433149864282012-10-13T11:40:35.309+01:002012-10-13T11:40:35.309+01:00Thanks for these great tips! I'm planning to g...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.Andrea Mackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15250681746122381149noreply@blogger.com