OK, I’m not actually bar-hopping. I’m talking about where to meet agents and editors at a writing conference, and THE BAR is one of the many hot spots I talk about.
Click here to find out the other fool proof methods of meeting the people you want at a conference without becoming a stalker. Here’s some applicable photos to make you smile. If you’re here looking for the ROW80 Linky to cheer on your teammates, click here.
Photo from LeakySquid.com
Photo from FailBlog.org
If you go to conferences to pitch your book, here’s Laura Drake’s post – Part 1 of this “Conference series” – How To Improve Your Pitching.
Have you ever been to a writing conference? What is your FAVORITE conference? Do you pitch? What’s your best tip for stalking meeting the agent or editor of your dreams? Enquiring minds always want to know these things here at More Cowbell!
Jenny
Jenny Hansen's Blog 
Bar is good. But most SCBWI conferences strongly suggest not to pitch but to just meet and greet. It’s nice to get to know editors as people.
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Oh, I agree with that, Jaye. Pitching belongs in the pitching sessions. But I strongly feel that the more research you do on your prospective editor or agent, the smoother your potential relationship will go. The two of you hope to become co-workers after all.
That being said, if an agent or editor asks you what you write, the door is open for a discussion (not a pitch).
Thanks for taking time to comment!
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Never been to a writing conference, cos there are none in my country. Keep getting envious of writers’ adventures at conferences tho.
–Damyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2012
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
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Damyanti – there do you live? There are online writing conferences now too. For example, if you write kidlit, I’ve heard great things about WriteOnCon: http://writeoncon.com/. I know there are also many wonderful conferences that happen in Europe.
Here is a link to the Poets and Writers conferences database link:
http://www.pw.org/conferences_and_residencies
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I love writing cons. I’m sad I’m missing DFWCon this year (the budget wouldn’t allow it since I’m doing Margie’s IMC this summer) but I will be making a reader con in NOLA this year that I’m super excited about.
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I understand completely, Suzan! I’m doing DFWCon for the first time this year and I’m SO excited!!! I hope you’ll tell us all about the NOLA conference after you go. 🙂
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One day I’ll write the almost perfect story and enter it into a contest, win the Grand Prize and have to beat agent offers off with a stick. Nice dream. Gotta do the writing first.
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And in the meantime, you will have all those stories, Tom. That’s pure awesomeness. 🙂
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I loved DFW Con last year and am going again in May. I was a wallflower last year, itching to meet agents but scared as a trembling chihuahua. This year, I’m on the chillax plan. I’m thinking I can stalk — I mean, meet agents by inviting each one up to sing a karaoke duet with me in the bar. A margarita or two should get us all going, don’t you think? 😉
Seriously, I am jumping right over to read your suggestions. I do plan to mingle more this time around. Whether or not an agent wants my book or we match up, book agents are interesting people and may have a perfect bit of advice or could simply make the moment a fun one. Might as well enjoy this ride!
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An introvert who sings karaoke duets?? I’m completely impressed! Surely that will have those agents lining up…LOL.
I think it’s the writers you meet at conference that make it all so fun. I can’t wait to meet all my peeps in person!!!
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Just start working on your version of “I Will Survive” now. You are fair game! 😉
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I’ve been to a few conferences and I think I stalk fellow writers more than the agents. I really like AWP and the DFW Writer’s conference. I’m an agent “handler” again this year at DFW, which is probably the easiest and quickest way to meet agents. I bring them coffee or drive them to lunch, so it’s not so weird to bring up my book, but I only do it if they ask.
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I just looked up the AWP conference – 10,000 attendees…that’s awesome! It will be in L.A. in 2016 so perhaps I’ll go. In the meantime, I will be at DWF this year – I’ll have to look you up. 🙂
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DFW is a fun conference. See you there!
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I’ve never been to a writing con, but I’ve always wanted to go. Come to think of it, I’ve never joined a real writing community… before now. I’m so in love with ROW80…
At any rate, have a great day Jenny!
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You are in the right place, Dahnya! We love community over here. Our WANA peeps and our ROW80 peeps. We also have a secret society called the #pantypeeps that only comes out of hiding when the Undie Chronicles visit More Cowbell. 🙂
Great to meet you!
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I LOVE writers conferences—my faves are ThrillerFest and Bouchercon. Hope you’re having a blast stalking! Er, RESEARCHING. 😉
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With note be a mystery/thriller writer, I’ve never been to either of those but I hear EXCELLENT things about them. 🙂
I am having a blast…researching. LOL.
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Wait, wait, wait… we have to go to conferences now? And MINGLE??? DAMMIT!
Seriously, though, I think I would fail at that as much as I have at Twitter. By which I mean it scares me and I never tried it.
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You must, Kate. Not often…but maybe once a year? And on the Twitter front, we’re all over there to make it easier on you! Go ahead and give it a whirl. 🙂
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Ooooooooh, love this! And I love writer cons. Let’s see, every year I go to the Cat Writers Association Annual Conference (http://www.catwriters.org) and the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc annual con (http://www.owfi.org). I’m a past prez of both. Lots of furry critters and critter-loving folks at~~~wait, YOU guess which one has all the critters. *eg* Really hard to pick a fav but Thrillerfest has to be the top. I wear my sparkly rhinestone #1-Bitch pin on my badge holder–instant conversation starter. And I agree, the BAR is the best place to network. Although the OWFI con has “buzz sessions” after the banquets from about 9pm—>? hosted by editors/agents/speakers in their rooms or around the hotel to schmooze/talk about all sorts of industry and writerly schtuff.
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Those are some snazzy conferences, Amy! I don’t know if our paths will cross, but can guarantee you I will drive to see you when I’m in Texas. 🙂
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First, I guess I didn’t look at your other post close enough, so sorry for that gaffe! This post is totally helpful and in good timing for me, because I’m going to a writer’s conference next week and am struggling with coming up with a “just in case pitch.” Thanks!
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Lara, you will LOVE Laura’s post on pitching! Run, don’t walk over there and get all those tips. They’re AWESOME. 🙂
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To my knowledge, there are only two writing conferences in Finland. I’ll be going to the bigger one in the summer. Yay! I’d love to go to one of the Fantasy conferences in UK next year. That means I have a year to work up my courage to talk to an agent there 😛 The Finnish book market is so small that there are no agents. You can submit directly to the few publishers we have.
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I wondered what the origin of your name was, Reeta! It’s lovely.
There are several fantastic conferences in the UK each year and it’s not so far for you to go. I’ve been hearing excellent things about the Hay-On-Wye Festival every summer in Wales as well: http://www.hay-on-wye.co.uk/info/event_detail.asp?eventid=6
I’ll be interested to hear which way you go. 🙂
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There are online conferences? Really? As you know Jenny that is right up my alley girl! Oh, am I excited. I am so sick right now, but when I feel better, I am all over this one. I will definitely check those websites out that you mentioned above. Thank you Jenny for this info! 🙂
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You’re welcome, Karen. I think with the current economy, this is going to be something that gets more popular all the time. I’ll keep you posted as I find things out. 🙂
I hope you feel better soon. {{hugs}}
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