Comments on: Conferences? Love ‘em! (Though sometimes … )

By: Beta Readers » Upstart Crow Literary

Beta Readers » Upstart Crow Literary — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:54:59 +0000

[...] this. But we also know that networking can help abate just how lonely the writers have to feel. And conferences. And going outside to breathe fresh air every once in a [...]

By: Leni Checkas

Leni Checkas — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:56:31 +0000

Gosh, Michael. I didn’t realize that blocking the bathroom was an option. Hmmm…I’ll have to keep that in mind for my next conference.

Signed,
Completely missing the point

*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*

And on a serious note, I’m very glad you came out our way. Your presentation was awesome, and I thank Martha Bee for that kick, because the slides were cool.

~Leni

By: pdw

pdw — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:36:53 +0000

When you go to an SCBWI conference:
Soak up the creative energy.
Make friends.
Have fun.
Learn all you can about the business(how to submit, proper format, etc.).
If you’re a writer, spend time viewing the illustrators’ displays.

Make a good impression:
TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE when you’re in workshops, keynotes, critiques, etc. (I feel I must say this in all caps because ringing cell phones are distracting to speakers, and talking on the phone during the speaker’s presentation is downright rude. And yet, people continue to do this. Incredible.)
Don’t be afraid to speak to agents or editors, but don’t monopolize their time, either.
Don’t be rude to the volunteers.

If you’ve paid for a critique:
Don’t expect an offer of representation or publication.
When you’re told your session is up, leave. If you stay over your allotted time, you’re cheating the next person out of the minutes he/she paid for.
Don’t cry. (If you feel you must, wait until you’re somewhere other than with your critiquer.)
Don’t bad-mouth the agent/editor if you’re unhappy with your critique.
Keep an open mind. (Example: Once I had a critique that, on first impression, seemed negative. It took a few days for me to realize it wasn’t — and even better, I had gained a friend, the critiquer, in the process.)

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:52:44 +0000

Clearly Michael Grant had been hitting the hootch early yesterday. Everyone, please pray for his sobriety and speedy recovery from this lapse.

And Lisa! Hi! Welcome! Trust that your weirdness has been clear to all from the get-go.

By: Susan Quinn

Susan Quinn — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:18:00 +0000

OK, I do know how to spell Michael. I swear.

By: Susan Quinn

Susan Quinn — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:15:46 +0000

Through a strange and rapid series of blog post connections, I realized that you (Micheal) will be a panelist at a SCBWI conference in my backyard (Harper College), and decided just two days ago that I had to go. This will be my first writer’s conference, but I promise not to stalk you to the bathroom, pummel you with my manuscript or turn zombie before I get there. Afterwards . . . well, apparently that will depend on whether Orson Scott Card is speaking.

I am, however, intrigued by the Peccadillos talk!

Seriously, I was wondering, being a Newbie, if it was worthwhile to sign up for the critique. I was tending toward yes, and got pushed off the fence by the commenter above. I get critiques all the time from my writer’s group, but most of them are not in the genre (MG SF for me) so it would be nice to hear from someone in the field.

By: michael grant

michael grant — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:58:41 +0000

For those of you who haven’t yet had the chance to attend SCBWI and hear Stearns deliver his famous Sexual Peccadillos of Kidlit Editors presentation, it’s really worth the registration fee. The slides are amazing. And the audio tape of two Scholastic editors debating the proper way to pluralize “dominatrix” is a scream.

By: sally apokedak

sally apokedak — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:50:09 +0000

The first couple of conferences I went to, I thought I had to pitch to everyone. Only I couldn’t do it because I hate to pitch so much. Especially on the fourth and fifth days when the editors and agents are getting that tired and stressed “deer during hunting season” look about them. Thinking I had to pitch made me uptight and unhappy.

After that I went to a couple of conferences with no intention of pitching. Wow! I really enjoyed talking to editors and agents and I think they enjoyed talking to me, too, since I wasn’t stalking them.

I have the most fun hanging with old friends and new in the bar or coffee shop. I love conferences. Love the speakers, love the writers, love the energy.

Though I don’t pitch, I do always pay for the critique. That way, if someone sees my stuff and loves it, they can ask for it, or give it to an agent or editor they think might be interested. Or nominate it for an award. Even if none of that happens, I don’t ever want to pass up a chance to have a professional critique me. Some critiques are good and some are…less so. Still, I’ve never been sorry. Even the bad critiques have told me which editors and agents I don’t want to work with. So, none of it’s wasted.

By: ae

ae — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:56:31 +0000

I’m the one in the very last row. To the utmost left.

My portfolio spilled out and I was pissed. But it missed a fierce tramplin’ so I am going to another conference.

By: Bev

Bev — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:50:29 +0000

“Pass the TOILET PAPER?
Oh, sorry, I thought you said Pass the Manuscript…”

See you in Chicago….
mwaaah ha ha ha!