The vlogging adventure continues! In case you missed my debut, you can find it here.
This first question is from Lacie Nezbeth. I hope it will be helpful for anybody attending a writing conference. Especially one where you get the opportunity to eat lunch with an agent or editor.
Lacie also asked if people still take notes the old-fashioned way at the workshops. You know. Using paper and pen. The answer is yes. In fact, in your ACFW goodie bag, you’ll most likely find a pen and a pad of paper for this very purpose.
Originally, the plan was to vlog the first Friday of every month, but if I stick to that, it will take forever to answer your questions. So the new plan is to vlog biweekly. I’m enjoying this more laid-back, personal format. I hope you’re enjoying it too! If you have any questions you’d like me to answer via vlog, please put them in the comments section of this post.
Let’s Talk: Have you ever gone to a writing conference? If so, what were you most nervous about? Most excited about? If you’re going to the conference and have any questions, please ask them below and I’ll do my best to answer.
Because of the holiday, I will not be posting on Monday. Have a happy Labor Day everybody!
I loved watching your vlog and reading all the comments. This will be my first ACFW conference, and I have to admit I was kind of nervous about lunching with editors and agents. Reading about everyone's experiences helps me know what to expect. Thanks!
I've been to two writing conferences. The first one, I was told by a good agent no, no, no, no and no many more times. This was during the practice pitch session. I worked at it overnight, didn't sleep, had a raging fever and sinus infection, did even worse the next day–practicing with a friend at the time–and then, when all seemed lost and I was standing in front of the agent for the real pitch—I nailed it! I spoke to three more, and got requests from all of them. Then I met an old friend at the bar, she called another one over, and I pitched her, too. Another request there. Next conference, piece of cake. Lesson learned: Perfect those pitches.
Hi Katie –
The vlog is almost like meeting you in person. I sometimes wonder how an author sounds and how they express themselves. You have an engaging personality. 🙂
Editor/Agent meetings make me nervous.
Blessings,
Susan
Fun! As many others have said, you are doing a fabulous job, Katie! I look forward to meeting you in St. Louis!
Love the Vlogging! I've attempted two and can't bring myself to post. You always look fabulous!! I think I need to try a different camera or angle or something! :0
Great job with the vlogging!
Awesome job, Katie and great advice! I was wondering about that too and pictured little old me getting trampled to death in the stampede of writers! LOL.
Thanks and hope to meet you in St Louis! (Sounds like a song or a movie).
Cheers,
Sue
i don't know about people not taking off…i seem to remember a few! i mean, there was at least very fast walking!
but for sure, mealtimes are some of my best memories…hysterical stuff happens at those tables!
Oh I've seen runners…LOL. It can get uglier than a Baptist congregation fighting over their pew on revival Sunday. hehe (I can say that because I'm also Baptist. LOL) Anyway, great vlogging Katie, and one more tip that I'd like to contribue – because it DOES get so loud in their, like Katie, said, I would like to encourage others to help their fellow writer. If you have a naturally loud voice compared to the quietness of the person pitching at the table, be their translator. Help them get their idea across. We're all on the same team!!!
I can't believe how good you are at this vlogging thing!
Great tips, too — I think I would have 10,000 heart attacks having lunch with an agent or editor. I've never even been to a writing conference…I really need to do that, don't I?
You're doing a great job on your vlogging, Katie. It's fun to see and hear you. Feels like we're sitting down for a little chat.
I've seen people make a beeline for an agent or editor's table, plunk their bags in the chairs, and watch eagerly for the sought-after publishing pro to arrive. I've also witnessed some long faces when those who wanted a spot at a table didn't get one. What's nice is that there are several meals where we get to dine with the pros, so don't give up hope of getting a spot after one try.
Here's a tip. If you really want an opportunity to talk with a publishing pro, see if that person is teaching a workshop. If so, sign up for it. Afterward, if the agent or editor isn't rushing to another appointment, you might be able to have a brief chat. And, yes, I know this works from personal experience. =)
Great tips, Katie! I did the five-minutes-early thing last year, and it worked. I got a spot at the tables I wanted. 🙂 I love your tip about saving the seat next to you. I tried that last year at one of the lunches, but someone else ended up taking the seat, even after my friendly pointing to the seat across the table. *sigh* At least I tried. 🙂
I'm not a writer, but I love to read. I review books on my daily life site. I clicked through your link because I love vlogs. I think you did a great job! I have been to conferences too and totally understand about not being able to talk across the tables.
You should totally jump into the vlogging waters, Michelle!
I will tell you, at first, they took a while. But then, I decided to record a bunch of them back-to-back and I got in the flow and that went a TON faster than writing.
I should put together a blooper reel so you can get a feel for my blunders. 🙂
Great job, great answers! You're giving me vlogging ideas, lol. Tell me, are these faster to put together than a written blog or do you spend just as much time figuring out what you're going to say ahead of time?
Very nice vlog.
I had taken the time off from work to go to the conference but…I will not be able to make it.
A co-worker asked me to switch vacation time with her because she has to have a medical procedure done that Thursday before. She will be off for two weeks.
I told her, of course.
I do plan to go next year. I'm anxious to hear all about it from everyone.
You are such a great vlogger–very polished and yet still natural. I love this topic–it brings up good memories of table chats with editors.
Oh my goodness, Erica, that would have driven me nuts! Glad they put the kibosh on it!
I've never seen anyone running for a table, but I do remember one year when whoever in a group of friends was first into the banquet hall would head for "Fabulous Agent's" table, then tip all the chairs into the table to save them for her friends.
Imagine, in that crowded dining hall, table after table with the chairs tipped in so the back legs stuck out into the walking space, and one person taking 10 seats in one swell foop!
It was hilarious, and kinda pathetic, too.
They put the kibosh on that pretty quickly.
All the tips and tricks we need to know. Cool! It would be way more America's Funniest Video's to see it the other way though! :O)
I love your vlogs! Of course I do. 😀
You have a polished way of speaking.
I watched the funniest thing happen last year. A guy was mucho obvious about saving a seat for an editor and she dodged that seat big time. It's funny to think what goes through agents and editor's minds at lunch.
Do they feel like rock stars?
~ Wendy
Katie,
Great advice and nice, professional vlog. One thing I'd like to add – last year the tables were laid out in alphabetical order by last name. It made finding that special table easier.
I hope to meet you in St. Louis.
Thanks ladies! I've definitely moved from vlogging skeptic to vlogging fan! It's just nice to change it up, you know?
Heather – your comment cracked me up!
I'm going this year. YAY!
I've never seen anyone run, either, thank goodness.
Yeah, I get nervous when I try and pitch. It's just not natural to try and sell anything that comes from me. I'd much rather mail out the best put-together proposal that I can and hope to get somewhere via that "shy" method. What I like most about conferences other than learning and networking with writers is when I'm not focused on selling but rather able to sit back and soak in what certain agents and editors are like. You know, get a feel for if they are ones I should be interested in for my future in writing and publication.
Great! Thanks Katie!
And I agree with Heather and Jess! You're doing a fabulous job with the vlogging! 😉
Lovin the vlogging, too! I agree with Heather. The meals always freaked me out. What do I say? What if I sound like a blubbering idiot.
Turned out, each meal by about ten minutes in, went fine. Agents and editors smiled and were real.
When it was time to leave the conference, I'd made so many friends and many of them I talk to daily through twitter, texts, and facebook!
Great job, Katie!
I love the vlogging!! I really didn't think I liked vlogging, but you do an amazing job with it. It's also just so great to see your face and hear your voice (but not in a weird stalking sort of way). Ha!
Oh, the meals at conference. I'll have to say that those stressed me out. I never saw people sprint, but a little light jogging, maybe. I'll admit I didn't have the best of experiences with the meals. I'm hoping for better this go around.