Helloooo blogsphere! I know it’s been forever since I last blogged, but I thought I’d do a quick appearance to let you know what I’ve been doing and to share some words of wisdom.
For the last week or so, it has dawned on me that I need to start preparing for RWA nationals. I’m giving a workshop this year on the subject of Goal, Motivation and Conflict in the YA Novel.
So what should writers do to prepare for nationals? Here is my handy-dandy list to help you out!
1. The most important thing you should be doing is getting business cards. Conferences are fabulous opportunities to network and if you don’t have your card ready for someone when they ask, they won’t be able to remember you. Here are some tips on getting your business cards:
a. Keep the information simple. Name, the genres you write in, any website, facebook, twitter links, a novel publication if you have it, an email address, the name of your agent if you are repped.
b. You can get free business cards through Vistaprint.com. They have limited templates and if you want to pay for a fancier version, they have more options for backdrops to chose from.
c. You can opt to make your own and use your book cover as a backdrop if you have it. Or, if you have another image you want to use, go for it! You can get business card paper and templates at your local Staples.
2. Get your pitches ready! You should have an elevator pitch (a one line succinct description of your project for when someone asks you about your book at the bar or in the lobby). And you should have a 3-5 minute pitch that goes into a little more depth in case you are lucky enough to get a pitching session with an agent or editor (or you are having a friendly conversation in the lobby).
WARNING: I run into this problem every year and I know other authors have the same issue: Don’t go in trying to pitch seven or eight books all in different genres. I write different projects too and it’s best if we all try to pick the one or two books that are the strongest, the most complete, and pitch each one to different people depending on who you talk to. If you pitch book A to an agent and she asks if you have anything else, feel free to bring up book B. Just don’t go in saying I have Book A and Book B and I am ready with both. You want to make the strongest impression with your best project for the person you are pitching to.
3. Send out those emails to people you haven’t seen in a while! Getting together with friends who are out of state is one of the best parts about nationals. However, if you plan on figuring out a meeting time and place at the conference, you may run into difficulty. The conference is crowded and busy with every moment occupied with one thing or another. If you have time free at night for a dinner, make plans in advance. It’ll cut out some of the confusion and the mayhem.
3.A. As an offshoot on this point, it’s best to look through the workshop list and the times before heading to the conference so you know what your schedule is going to look like in advance for any last minute changes. You’ll also want to print out the handouts if you’d like a hard copy of them. RWA is going green and they only provide the handouts on flash drives now at the conference.
4. Invest in yourself. You are going to make an impression on other writers and/or industry professionals. Make sure you dress appropriately, even if you are wearing only business casual clothes. Save the jeans with the holes in them, the palm-tree t-shirt you got in Punta Cana, and the paint splattered cargoes for another time. You want to look like you are serious about your profession and you are at the conference to learn, network and hopefully make leeway in your career. Most importantly, wear comfortable shoes! Trust me on this one. You’ll do A LOT of walking. Also, don’t forget the dress for the Golden Heart and Rita award ceremony! People go all out for that event and you want to dress up, glam up, whatever, because it’ll be a great time.
SIDE NOTE: It’s not absolutely necessary, but I’m a total fan of pampering myself before nationals. It’s like preparing for vacation. So…I have my facial booked, my hair appointment, and my pedicure all ready to go. 
5. Set goals for the conference. You want to have general goals that you plan on meeting. Something like: I plan on attending workshops that will help with the dialog in my story. Or, I plan on meeting friends and just having a good time. My goals usually sound like: I plan on getting one request from an agent or editor. And, I plan on sitting my butt down and working on my book at the conference because the sheer energy is so inspiring. Plan on accomplishing those goals if you can. They are really helpful.
6. Avoid the major DON’Ts that apply to all conferences: DON’T talk bad about people behind their backs. DON’T pitch to editors or agents in inconvenient locations if they don’t ask for more information about your book, etc. DON’T bring a copy of your manuscript with you to hand out. At the publisher showcase events where authors sign free books, DON’T cut the line and take a free book (because it’s rude).
7. Make time for yourself. You are going to be completely overwrought with energy and excitement that it’ll wear you out. Every day, make sure you take a half hour to either blog, twitter, upload pictures onto a computer, reflect over workshop notes, or just put your feet up and talk to your kids. It’s a good way to recharge and gear up for the next events you have planned for yourself.
8. Overbudget on purpose. Make sure you set aside 20$ for meals and 30$ for shipping if you plan on accumulating a lot of books and sending them home. That way, you won’t run short on cash when you get to nationals if a dinner comes up or if you and a bunch of new/old friends decide to enjoy a few overpriced hotel drinks.
I hope this little list helps you with your conference prepping! I plan on doing a post-conference blog once I get back from RWA. Thanks for listening and stay tuned for updates from Orlando, RWA 10!!!
<3Nisha
