Preparing For A Conference

The schedule for LeakyCon's Lit Day has been posted HERE. I'm going to first talk a little bit about the first conference I went to, and what I experienced.

In 2010, I was still in college and my sister invited me to the AWP conference. At the time, I was really just writing short stories (yea, I had a novel written, but I had pretty much given up on it), and didn't really think it was for me. I spoke about it with a few teachers and they asked the price. It was $40 for a student, and they told me I'd be stupid not to go, so I went.

A few thousand miles later, registration was a mess. There were a million booths with the first letters of the last names, book booths, literary magazine booths, and people EVERYWHERE. It took me a few minutes to figure out where I was supposed to be and that I didn't really have time to follow the masses. Soon enough, I received THE BOOK, also known as the schedule, information, guide, table layout information...basically it's THE BOOK. My sister, Aimee, and I went through our books and started mapping out which panels we'd like to attend the following day.

When I checked in, I didn't realize how large the conference center was. After walking by myself the mile to the center, I had my first problem; Where the hell was the panel room? Thankfully, there were a million helpful people directing me around. Each day got easier, and I was blown away at each panel (hands down, my favorite was still Kerry Cohen's).

When the conference ended, I was sad because there was just so much there. This year, I attended again, and I had a much better grasp of what was going on though I didn't have my sister with me. I attended more social meetings, met an agent (just to talk), and had an amazing experience, but it wouldn't have happened if people hadn't talked me into going...if I hadn't talked myself into going.

The first step is being brave, and actually attending. The second step, is being brave and TALKING. Talk to everyone you meet at conferences, they will help you along your journey.

Now I'll tell you what I'm looking forward to the most:

9am-Agents
This one is fairly obvious as to why I'd want to be there. I'm an unpublished author, I want to break into the writing industry. Agents are step one in this process (well, actually, writing the novel is, then the query letter, then seeking out the agents). I'm expecting it to be like a live version #yalitchat

10am-Editors
For the same reason as above. I've also never seen a real life editor and I think I'll have one of those "OMG, OMG, OMG" fangirl moments.

11am-Either the writing workshop or The Relationship Panel, I'm not sure which because they both sound awesome. I'll probably have a follow up blog after the conference so you'll know which I attended (it may be the writing workshop, though an agent I follow on Twitter will be at the panel...I JUST DON'T KNOW! I DON'T!)

Lunch. I'll eat.

12:30-Either Book Basics or Romance--Again, lots of agents to listen to, or to understand more about the query process. I'm so bad at making decisions!

1:30-Probably the Teenage Author panel, just because it may give me some hope :)

2:30--BOOK SIGNINGS!!!! I can't wait!! (Someday, I hope to have a book that people want signed :) )

There is a reception later, and a keynote address, and then it's just resting before the very long drive home. But I am soooo excited!!!