Writer's Conference Guide

Writer’s Conference Guide Getting the Most of Your Time and Money www.coolgus.com

The Write It ForwardConference Experience Brought to you by Cool Gus Publishing (Formerly Who Dares Wins Publishing)

Conference Strategies• Pre-planning and preparing• How to spend your time • Workshops • Networking• How to pitch• After action review and follow up

How to choose the right• Conference or Convention?• Mini-Conference or Writer’s Retreat?• On-Line Conferences?

Prepare Ahead of Time• Make a list of who you want to meet• Set up meetings when possible ahead of time• Highlight workshops that interest you• Make a checklist of what you need to bring• Create a conference worksheet• Make sure all is in-line with your goals developed under Write It Forward

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

The Elevator Pitch• Can you state what your book is about in 25 words or less? (From Original Idea) • Think back to your Kernel 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

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

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

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

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!!!!!!!!!!

On-line Workshops $75 $50 March/April 2013 February 2013August/September 2013 July 2013 November 2013

Writer’s Conference Guide Getting the Most of Your Time and Money www.coolgus.com

The Complete Author Package www.coolgus.com

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Writer's Conference Guide

by Bob Mayer on Oct 09, 2012

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