Conference Activities for Non-Joiners, Newbies, and Self-Promoters – Esri Rose
RWA’s annual National Conference is an opportunity to network, learn and promote. But what if you’re brand-new to the conference, don’t belong to any local chapters, or are a disorganized flake who didn’t get her act together beforehand? I’ve been all three and continue to be two (that’s easy to figure out, isn’t it?). Membership in the Wet Noodle Posse usually saves me from having to entertain myself at conferences, but I’m here to tell you that you can be the howlingest of lone wolves and still get your game on in San Francisco. Here’s how.
Become a Member of the Press
All you need to get people to talk to you are a blog or online photo account like Flickr, a notebook and/or digital video camera (best), and bits of paper telling people where they can see their photos and quotes after the conference.
“Hi, I’m Amanda Roofus of MakeMeMewl.com, and today I’m asking, What kind of underwear do your book heroes wear? Boxers, briefs, a hybrid, or commando? Patterned or white? Silk or cotton? Do you have an upcoming book I can tell readers about? Great. Here’s a card with my site’s web address. Make sure to check in after [or during] the conference.”
You also can ask serious questions, like: What’s the best money you’ve spent on promotion? The worst?
Advertise Your Status
There’s still time to order a HELP! I’m Shiny New. Could I maybe sit with you? button from CafePress (I made them just for you, with no mark-up). Romance writers are generally very kind and mentor-oriented, so give them a chance to help you. Even more, they love to be kind to potential readers, so wear something that lets them know whether you’re into fantasy, historical, inspirational, or whatever.
You can use this same technique to hook up with people who share your non-book hobbies. If you’re a knitter, Corgi-breeder, SCA member or whatever, wear a little flair that lets other members of your tribe find you. The more interests you share, the more fun you'll have!
Organize Something
There is a bulletin board at Conference. Before you go, find something fun to do in San Francisco, whether it’s karaoke, a meal at a quirky restaurant, some kind of tour, or a drag show. Make sure it has a reasonable price point, doesn’t need reservations, is in a safe area, doesn’t conflict with some huge Conference event, and is easy to get to. Now put up an eye-catching sign on that bulletin board. Free Friday Afternoon? Call Amanda Roofus at Room 123 if you want to have High Tea at Blah-Blah historic house. If you get a mob, close registration after the first 20 people and take down the sign. If no one calls, no one but you will know. If only one person comes, you’ll have made a really close friend. And it doesn’t matter if some chapter is doing the same thing. You might get even more people for something like that, because they missed out on a known quantity. Take pictures and blog about it afterwards. Hand out paper bits with your URL.
Offer to Volunteer
Yes, there are official volunteers, but there is always more work. Find yourself a staff member and say, “This is my very first conference, I’m at kind of a loose end, and I’m wondering if you need any help with anything.” If the first person says, “No” and doesn’t give you someone else to contact, ask someone doing something completely different, or locate a coordinator you can speak to. Make sure you’re dressed nicely when you ask, so if they have a sudden moderator hole they need to fill, they can slot you in. If you have a car, make sure to mention that. You can also try this with chapter people, especially if you find someone in a chapter that’s local to you. It's a good way to find out if you want to join them.
Compliment an Author
Especially a newish author, and especially just before mealtimes. “OMG, you’re Esri Rose! This is my first romance conference, but I read your elf romance and just wanted to tell you how much I adored it. Hey, is there a food court around here? I am so ignorant of how this all works.” (Alternatively: “Are tables reserved, or do I just sit anywhere?) This is guaranteed to get you an invitation to join the author for a meal.
Esri Rose will be signing copies of Bound to Love Her at the RWA Readers for Life literacy signing Wednesday evening. Stop by and get an ElvesAmongUs.com button!
Labels: authors, books, Conference, national conference, networking, romance, romance novels, RWA, writing
Theresa's Conference Tips
HAVE A SCHEDULE: I have been to seven conferences now and I always try to schedule my conference time. One of the first things I do when I arrive is schedule my time around the workshops I don’t want to miss. I almost always learn a new helpful tidbit, or at the very least, I feel motivated to go home and write. And for me, that’s what it’s all about. I want to leave conference feeling motivated, inspired, and ready to write.
SLEEP: One big mistake I’ve made is not getting enough sleep. On those occasions, I would end up meeting editors and agents with one eye open and a foggy brain. Make sure you get at least seven hours sleep. Skip a workshop in the morning or take a nap. Do whatever it takes so that you feel rested when you’re out there socializing.
CLOTHES: You want to look nice, but you also want to be comfortable. I have made the mistake of bringing NEW shoes. If you’re like me and you plan to make the most of conference, you never know when you might be asked to run to a social gathering a few blocks away. I now wear only comfortable shoes at conference, not brand new ones that are going to give me blisters.
DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY: If you miss a workshop or you end up with little time to get ready for your agent appointment or dinner with your editor, just take a deep breath and do the best you can. That’s all you can do. Getting upset won’t help matters. Also, if you’re like me and you have yet to be DISCOVERED, don’t sweat it. You’ll get there someday if you don’t give up. Instead of whining or complaining or feeling sorry for yourself (and bringing other people down), get out there and meet people, make a good impression and one of these days it will be YOU walking around with a pink FIRST SALE ribbon at conference!
HAVE FUN: I always make sure to get together with my favorite people, including the Wet Noodle Posse. Bring your camera so that the memories will last forever.
Any questions about conference? Go ahead and ask! Labels: Conference, Relax
More about RWA and Dallas by Diane Gaston
Esri blogged about how friends helped her accomplish wonderful things, both in writing and while attending RWA. I totally agree! Friends are a priceless asset! So I'm going to blog more about friends and the conference.
One of the things I loved about the RWA conference was seeing all the friends I don't get to see except once a year at the conference. I loved that I could not cross an area of the Hyatt Regency without needing to stop and hug one or two or three more friends. It was frustrating for anyone walking with me, but it made me happy.
One thing I hate about the conference is I never have enough time with all these friends. I was able to hang out with the Wet Noodle Posse a little, but not nearly enough, and I only managed to take one photo with a Noodler.
Here I am with Noodler Karen Potter at the Literacy booksigning.
If you scroll down to Mary's Noodler photos, you'll notice I didn't get in the Noodler group picture AGAIN. And that the photos where I do appear all show me with food in my mouth!
So here, at random, are some photos of me and non-noodler friends, just to extend the conference joy a little longer.
At the booksigning who should come in but my dear friend Rebecca Wade! Becky wrote some wonderful Westerns for Avon a few years ago, but now she is busy raising a family. I had dinner with her and the family on Sunday night after the conference, but, wouldn't you know, I forgot to take more pictures!
Still at the booksigning, here I am with
Karen AndersKaren, who writes for Blaze, is a longtime friend and critique partner, but she moved to another state so I don't get to see her as often.
One of the highlights of the conference for me is always the Harlequin Party. This year I was able to arrive at the beginning and stay to the very end. I danced the night away and saw more friends, like the lovely Olivia Gates, who writes Mills & Boon Medicals and fellow Harlequin Historical author, Blythe Gifford.
The grand finale of the conference is, of course, the awards ceremony where our wonderful Trish Milburn won yet another Golden Heart. These are som special friends seen after the ceremony. My long time friend and once mentor,
Amanda McCabe, who is now a fellow Harlequin Historical author. The other two ladies are
Romance Vagabonds, Elodie and Manda, and, I tell you, we Noodlers need to watch out, because those Vagabonds are a pretty terrific group of aspiring writers. Someday they might even eclipse us!
After the conference, I spent the day with my high school friend, Eleshea. Just what I needed to unwind. You'll notice in this photo that I am wearing glasses. This is a rare image, blog readers, because I'll do almost anything to avoid being photographed in my glasses. I was pretty tired and simply forgot to whip them off at the last minute.
One more thing!!! The day before I left for the conference, my BRAND NEW WEBSITE made its debut. I had these lovely bookmarks to give away at the conference.
Come take a look!
http://www.dianegaston.comI have all kinds of news, features, and a contest going on
RIGHT NOW. You and a friend of your choosing can win a copy of
The Mysterious Miss M, my very first book!
That's all folks!
Labels: Conference, Dallas, Diane Gaston, RWA
