Writer's Conference Guide

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description

The Writer’s Conference Guide is designed to helps writers reap the benefits from the time and money invested in a writer's conference in order to obtain optimal results. The strategies laid out are taken from our collective experience as authors, presenters, keynote speakers and publishers. Our goal is to help every writer, published and unpublished, make their conference experiences the best they can be and achieve their career goals. A writer's conference is a large investment in time and money so it’s certainly worth spending a little of that time and money beforehand to maximize your investment. We cover strategies for: • How to find and pick the best conferences to meet your needs. • Tips on how to efficiently plan for the conference. • How to select the workshops that will benefit you the most. • How to socialize and mingle with those who can help your career. • Pitching techniques and tactics so you’ll be prepared for the opportunity to discuss your book. • Finally, we go over an After Action Review and Follow-up so every conference you attend is a great success. Checklists are included along with practical tips that will make your conference experience a valuable success.

Transcript of Writer's Conference Guide

Page 1: Writer's Conference Guide

FREE!

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Conference Strategies

• Pre-planning and preparing

• How to spend your time

• Workshops

• Networking

• How to pitch

• After action review and follow up

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• Conference or Convention?

• Mini-Conference or Writer’s Retreat?

• On-Line Conferences?

• There is a list of writers conferences at

Shawguides. Link at end under references.

How to choose the right

conference

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Prepare Ahead of Time• Make a list of who you want to meet

• Pick which workshops to attend ahead of time

• Often people are making these decisions at

the last minute

• If going with friends/writing associates, break

down workshops to get coverage of more

workshops

• Set up meetings ahead of time, especially

with industry people as their time will be

booked early

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Prepare Ahead of Time

• Make a checklist of what you need to bring (handouts,

books, note-taking, laptop, plug, etc.)

• Create a conference worksheet

• Make sure all is in-line with your goals developed

under Write It Forward (link at end)

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Part of example schedule

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How to spend your time• Our golden rule:

• Once you leave your room for the day, you don’t go

back.

• Arrival

• Walk the terrain-- make sure you know where all the

room/facilities are

• Workshops and Panels--double-check the schedule

• Socialize/Network

• Informal and Formal

• Take care of yourself-- drink plenty of water, don’t

overdo the coffee

• Take things with a grain of salt-- everything said is just

an opinion

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How to spend your time

• You never know who you are talking to, so

always be positive

• Informal networking is the most valuable aspect

of a conference

• Don’t hang with the same people from your home

group/friends. Meet new people

• Ask others questions to get them talking

• Remember, everyone is nervous

• Writers tend to be introverts. Force yourself out

of your comfort zone into your courage zone!

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The Elevator Pitch

• Can you state what your book is about in 25 words or

less? (From Original Idea slideshare)

• Think back to your Original Idea. What was the first

thought you had about this book?

• Define your protagonist in one sentence

• Hint: Think Goals

• Define your antagonist in one sentence

• Hint: Think Goals

• Define your core conflict in one sentence

• Hint: Conflict box

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Turning the Elevator Pitch

into a 10 minute pitch

• Lead with Elevator Pitch

• What is the Inciting Incident?

• What are the Major Turning Points?

• What is the Dark Moment?

• The Climatic Scene?

• The Resolution

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Tips for your

Editor/Agent Appointment• Introduce yourself first

• Tell what the book is: A Romantic Suspense set in....

• Know your book and be prepared to “discuss it”

• Try not to be too “rehearsed”

• Don’t stress

• Avoid “and then this happened and then this happened...”

• Focus on the KEY, ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS of your story

• Keep characters to Protagonist, Antagonist and one supporting

character

• Allow time for discussion

• Get them to ask questions!

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The After Action Report

• Look at your goal sheet

• What did you achieve? What didn’t you achieve?

What unexpected event happened?

• What goals need to be adjusted? How will you adjust

them?

• Follow up with editors, agents and other professionals

• Update your social media contacts and connect with

your new contacts

• File receipts for tax purposes

• Re-evaluate the experience and begin planning for the

next one

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Top Ten Checklist• Wear comfortable shoes

• Dress like a professional

• Don’t sit by yourself

• Say hello to whoever is next to you in line, at a

workshop or lunch

• Ask authors what they write--great ice breaker

• Socialize--don’t hide in your room rehearsing your pitch

or writing

• Everyone there is a person, just like you

• Take notes

• Most importantly HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!

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Original Idea

Conflict the Fuel of Your Story and the Conflict Box

Plot I: Research and Narrative Questions

Plot II: Outlining

Plot III: Narrative Structure

Character

Point of View

Write It Forward: From Writer to Bestselling Author

Writers Conference Guide (Free eBook)

Three P’s: Platform, Product, Promotion

Writers’ Block and Rewriting

How to Write the Query/Synopsis

Planning for NaNoWriMo Success

Bob Mayer’s Workshops, Seminars & Presentations

Your Creative Process: How You Write

The Present and Future of Publishing for Writers

Writers Workshop and Retreat

ON WRITING SLIDESHARES

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Writing Scenic Workshop• An intense, on-premises workshop focusing on idea, conflict, story and the

ever-changing business of publishing.

• At our house on Scenic Drive in Knoxville, TN

• Most importantly, this workshop focuses on developing your creative process as a writer.

• Led by Bob Mayer and his wife, Debbie.

• We’ve worked with everyone from #1 NY Times best-selling authors to novices writing their first book.

• Limited to four people per workshop. This workshop can also come to you if you have four interested writers. For schedule contact [email protected]

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New York Times bestselling author, graduate of West Point, former Green Beret, and feeder of two yellow Labs, most famously Cool Gus. He’s had over seventy books published, including the #1 bestselling series Time Patrol, Area 51, Atlantis, and the Green Berets. Born in

the Bronx and having traveled the world he now lives peacefully with his wife and labs. Sort of. Free books below available HERE

www.bobmayer.com