Making the Most of Nationals

Sandra here,

Are you set for the big time?

RWA Nationals is it baby.

All the major publishers are there giving away free books and their authors are signing them.

All the major publishers are sending their editors.

All the major agents are represented.

And there are thousands of writers vying for their dream to write, publish and market their precious work.

Ohhhhh the excitement.

The energy.

The nervous tension.

The fear.

THE FABULOUS FUN.

Hey Mickey, What's up?

So with all of this going on, how do you make the most of it?

Let's look at one thing at a time.

1. The most important element of this

conference is your

editor/agent appointment.

Ten minutes of pure tension and fear. NO NO NO Don't go in with that attitude. This is the best part. The most fun. The interesting stuff.

• have your pitch prepared and ready to present. This takes 1 to 2 minutes. (If it takes more, trim it down) Did I say trim it???? YES YES YES
• So you've pitched and they say "great send it to me" And you jump up and tear out the door excited as can be. NO NO NO. STAY STAY STAY and use that full ten minutes.
• Chit chat. Ask them how they like Orlando. What will they be seeing? etc. The reason you do this is because when you send your requested proposal, you can remind them of who you are by asking them how they liked _______.
• If they have not asked for your proposal, chit chat anyway because you will be sending them something some other time and it is wonderful to know who these people are.
• btw No editor or agent will take your proposal with them so don't even dream of it. But they could ask to see the first few pages. So take sample pages in a professional looking case, file, briefcase, etc.
• Take a business card to leave with them if they ask.

2. NETWORK This is the next most

important element of a conference.

(After all, why did you travel all these miles

and spend all this money???)

In spite of the fact there are thousands of authors and aspiring authors there, the publishing community is not that big. Editors change houses often. You might meet an editor from a house you won't be writing for, but who knows, in a year or two that editor might be at the house you are submitting to. It is always great to know the people you are working with.

Introduce yourself to agents. You hear it said often that signing with an agent is like a marriage. But do you pick a husband from a list? You want to know that person. Know if they are someone you can work with, get along with, respect. So meet those agents. Talk to them. Attend their workshops and listen to what they have to say. You can tell a lot by listening to them speak.

And its a blast to meet your favorite authors.

(Like those of us from Seekerville-smile)

And its beneficial to meet aspiring authors.

You could end up joining forces and forming

a critique group. Or you will meet next year

as published authors.

Or forming a blog (like we did at Seekerville)

After all, writing is a one person project for most of us. It feels great to get out and put some real clothes on for a change and talk to real people.

Writers are a fun group because we all come from different walks of life, different parts of the country, different cultures. But what holds us together is we're interested in EVERYTHING, we love learning new stuff, we love meeting new people.

And the best part is meeting other people who are just as crazy as you are. I mean who else holds elaborate conversations in their head and talks to make believe people?????

So with this said. Toss aside any fear. BE BOLD and introduce yourself to everyone and anyone. You just might end up meeting the future Best Selling Author.

And the bars, lobby and meals are great times to mix. Try to sit with people you don't know. Pass out your business cards to everyone.

HAVE FUN.

3. Attend Editor/Publisher spotlights.

These are a must. What houses are you targeting? Go to the spotlights because the editors will tell you what they are currently looking for. As they introduce the editors, they will list their preferences. For example, one editor might prefer historical and another paranormal. If you're writing historical, then you will want to target the editor who prefers them. They will usually tell you what they specifically don't want. Good stuff to know.

And they are usually fun to listen to. They might even be as nervous as you are. (shhh don't tell)

4. Workshops

Do like Myra does and check out the workshops before you arrive. (I wish I could say I was so organized. sigh) But she is right. This is a must. Look for the workshops that will benefit you the most. If your critique group keeps telling you to "show don't tell" find workshops on that subject.

If you're published and not sure how to market, find those workshops that talk about marketing techniques.

Prioritize the workshops. That way if something comes up, you'll know which workshops to skip.

My personal recommendation is to buy the CD of all the workshops. You can download them onto your MP3 player and listen to them when you can really focus on what they are saying. And you can hear them all, something you can't do at the conference. It is cheaper if you buy it at the conference. You can also share it (and the cost) with a friend.

This is also recommended for those of you who cannot attend the conference. Why miss out on all that info? Click here to order.

5. What to Wear

• Most wear professional clothes like you would wear to work. After all you are selling yourself as a professional writer.

• But remember it is HOT in Orlando. And because of this all of the rooms will be air conditioned. Bring a sweater or wrap. Once a room fills up with bodies, it heats up.
• SO NEVER NEVER NEVER ASK TO TURN UP THE AIR CONDITIONER I promise, if you do, you'll be roasting before the workshop is over.
• For the gala dinner, dress formal. This ranges from church Sunday best to really dressy like prom outfits.

• If you're going to tour the beaches like me and Ruthy, you will want something comfortable and cool. Probably shorts and sandals.
• If you're going to Disneyworld. WEAR COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES

6. How to unscramble your scrambled brain.

Believe me, before the conference is half over, you will feel like your brain is mush. There are several remedies.

• Find the nearest bar

• Put on your swimsuit and go outside and take a dip (I met a senior editor by doing this)

• Go to the gym and work out. Exercise is a great stress release.

• On that note, skip workshops and go to Disneyworld.
• Take a nap. (Preferably not in the lobby or in a workshop)
• Take a break and visit with a friend.

7. Bonus Conference Freebies

One special feature at RWA nationals is most major publishers offer free books. The last RWA I went to in San Francisco had different rooms and times for each publisher. Before that, they all were in the same room. I'm not sure which way it will be this time. But in any case, you must attend. This will reimburse your conference fee BECAUSE each publisher has all of their romance authors sitting there signing books and GIVING THEM AWAY. That means free. No charge.

So if you're driving. Bring an extra suitcase. Those of us flying in. RWA provides a mail service right outside the door, complete with boxes, postage, and delivery to your door. All for the cost of about two of the books inside. Believe me, you will have enough books to last for at least a month.

And you get to meet all of those AUTHORS. You get to discover that they are real people just like you and me.

Thanks for joining us. Photos compliments of DisneyWorld and Janet Dean.

Speaking of free books. Post a comment and tell us about one of your funniest experiences at a conference and you'll be put in for a drawing for a Seeker book of your choice.

And the chef again offered to cater today. I'm providing my favorite chocolate velvet coffee.

How about that award winning sculpture? He's featuring:

breakfast sandwiches
canadian bacon,egg and cheese muffins
egg and cheese muffins

nova scotia smoked salmon and gravlax, onions, sliced tomatoes, capers, chopped eggs, new york bagels, chives, cream cheese

hard boiled eggs

assorted regular and diet soft drinks

assorted bottled waters to include carbonated and still

assorted bottled juices

infused spring water
with your choice of orange, raspberry, lemon, cucumber mint. an environmentally friendly alternative to bottled water