1. Torana

    Torana Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2007
    Messages:
    9,639
    Likes Received:
    131

    Conventions

    Discussion in 'The Lounge' started by Torana, Jan 31, 2011.

    Anyone here been to any writer conventions?

    I'm going to my very first this year, with Dan. Going to be really expensive as it costs $210 for membership, plus Dan wants to get a table, plus we have to get a hotel for 2 nights... meals and drinks on top of that. Yeah, it's going to cost a bit.

    So just wondering, anyone else here ever been to a writers convention, or planning on going to one this year?
     
  2. Melzaar the Almighty

    Melzaar the Almighty Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2010
    Messages:
    1,789
    Likes Received:
    55
    Location:
    UK
    I've been to zillions. They're awesome. :D Grew up toddling around weird corridors in massive hotels. :p
     
  3. Torana

    Torana Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2007
    Messages:
    9,639
    Likes Received:
    131
    See, they don't have that many here in Western Australia. Especially not in the area that my partner and I are interested in. Which bites.

    I'm hoping that in a couple of years, we'll be heading to at least 1 over in America.
     
  4. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2008
    Messages:
    7,851
    Likes Received:
    3,339
    Location:
    Boston
    I've never been to one, so I have to ask: what kinds of things do people do at writer conventions? (Do you promote your work? Talk about writing? etc.)
     
  5. LordKyleOfEarth

    LordKyleOfEarth Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2009
    Messages:
    3,245
    Likes Received:
    80
    Location:
    San Antonio, TX. USA
    I joined the Writer's league of Texas and all I got was lots of email about classes I could pay to attend :/
     
  6. PapaSmurfberry

    PapaSmurfberry Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2011
    Messages:
    214
    Likes Received:
    89
    Location:
    Jacksonville FL
    Yeah that is a lot for a couple of days, I got Bonaroo Tickets for less, but it sounds as though it will be an exciting experience. I hope you have a great time, and cannot wait to her the great stories you will have when you get back. Have fun.
     
  7. Torana

    Torana Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2007
    Messages:
    9,639
    Likes Received:
    131
    It goes from 21-25 April, so it's worth the money. Plus all the professional writers you get to meet as well. It's definitely worth the money.

    thirdwind, you go for many reasons, to promote your work, go to writer work shops, and to greet and meet with other writers and professionals in the writing business. It can be a great boost for your writing career. Why? Because it's always good to meet the people you want to publish you, as well as fellow writers, and lots of deals can be made at the conventions as well. You may also get to meet some agents that you'd otherwise never get a chance to contact. :)
     
  8. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2008
    Messages:
    7,851
    Likes Received:
    3,339
    Location:
    Boston
    Ah, OK. That's good to know. Thanks for the info.
     
  9. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    an 'i'm curious!' question for any who've attended:

    what concrete benefits have you gained from going to one?...

    have you ever gotten an agent, or snagged a publisher, or sold a significant number of self-published books as a result of going to them?
     
  10. Heather Munn

    Heather Munn New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    Messages:
    91
    Likes Received:
    5
    Location:
    Tiskilwa, Illinois
    Terminology question: are conference and convention interchangeable here, or are there any differences?

    I met my publisher at a writers' conference. I had a fifteen-minute conversation with the acquisitions editor and he asked for the manuscript. At that same conference I had an agent ask for a proposal (he later rejected) and had another publisher tell me to send me a proposal if the first publisher rejected. These were the first real "bites" I had gotten in a year or two of submissions.

    I would really recommend going to conferences. If you go looking to get a publisher you want to make sure & have your "hook" ready, your one-liner that tells them why your story is interesting. Mine was "This is a story set in France during World War II, in which a high-school rivalry becomes a matter of life and death for two Jewish refugees."
     
  11. Elgaisma

    Elgaisma Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2010
    Messages:
    5,319
    Likes Received:
    97
    OK this lead me to the world's most bizarre set of coincidences - I went to check out for UK conferences only to discover there is a major one these days at my old university and it is run by the lady that diagnosed me with borderline dyslexia (she thought that was nicer than clumsy child syndrome) - who at the time was in Wales.

    Hmm can I find the pennies lol.
     
  12. Melzaar the Almighty

    Melzaar the Almighty Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2010
    Messages:
    1,789
    Likes Received:
    55
    Location:
    UK
    I think the learning experiences and knowing people can be just as huge benefits as an actual deal. There's something amazing about growing up sitting under a table doodling while famous names talk books, gossip and memories. :p

    I've never tried to market myself to these people, but one time my mum handed me over to this guy at some awards ceremony, and he bought a short story from me and published it in an anthology with a load of interesting names for £30 :D I was a stupid kid so I had like no idea what was going on and was just like, "Yay, cool!" and ran off to stare at the fish or something :p So I figure that's a start. :p I just haven't tried to sell anything else since then - and quite right too... I suck compared to the others in that collection. He he.
     
  13. Torana

    Torana Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2007
    Messages:
    9,639
    Likes Received:
    131
    I'll let you know after we've been.

    But I do know friends who have gained quite a lot from going to these conventions. It's not all about how good you are anymore, it is also about who you know and back scratching. Especially in the small press area.
     
  14. Elgaisma

    Elgaisma Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2010
    Messages:
    5,319
    Likes Received:
    97
    The ones in the UK also offer one to one sessions with publicists, agents, publishers, editors etc
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice