Forum / 1st Writer's Conference

• 
  Jules Archer

  Feb 10, 05:00am

  So...I signed up for my very first writer's conference (eeek!). Any tips on what to bring - if anything? Just thought I'd ask the seasoned ones.

  XO,
  Jules

• 
  Linda Simoni-Wastila

  Feb 10, 11:45am

  Which conference? They are all so different.

  Most important things to bring--open mind, pen, notebook. Peace...

• 
  Robert Vaughan

  Feb 10, 01:09pm

  Jules, where are you heading? I have a week long poetry conference at end of May- June and I'm really nervous! I agree with Linda...and be as present as possible. If you get distracted when writing on a computer, then leave that in your room and write long hand during the conference. Also, bring any "totemic" items along that remind you of your creative worth.

• 
  Dolemite

  Feb 10, 03:48pm

  Ear plugs, your BIG dark sunglasses, small book of crossword puzzles...

  ;-)

• 
  Jules Archer

  Feb 11, 02:41am

  Thanks all! I'm going to the Desert Nights conference here in AZ, at ASU, at the end of the month. I'm nervous too but excited...so we shall see.

  Matt, your comment made me laugh...but I am sure that will all come in handy. ;)

• 
  Soon to be deleted

  Feb 11, 04:11am

  Lots of beer...you know, for non-writing activities... :)

• 
  Michael Gillan Maxwell

  Feb 14, 07:44pm

  I usually take at least three different disguises, a bottle of Patron tequila and lots of pencils.

• 
  Gary Percesepe

  Feb 15, 06:37pm

  shoes

• 
  Dolemite

  Feb 15, 07:08pm

  Specifically your "publish-me" pumps.

  (the one with the heels at least three exclamation points high...)

  ;-)

• 
  James Lloyd Davis

  Feb 15, 08:44pm

  Jules, I don't know the format, but if there is critique from other participants involved... just know that some of my published work? Before I ever sent it out to literary mags, before it was accepted and lauded elsewhere, my best and most well-received work was trashed at an Iowa conference. So take critique with a grain of salt. It's a great way to meet other writers and the after conference get-togethers offer opportunity for reading at a mic.

  Enjoy yourself and when you get back? Let us know how it goes.

• 
  Jules Archer

  Feb 16, 02:09am

  I love all these quirky and awesome suggestions. ;)

  James - there isn't critique -- as far as I know...the schedule is more readings and mini-conferences. But that is good to know...thanks for the feedback!

• 
  Jane Hammons

  Feb 16, 03:11am

  cool writing scene at ASU so have fun! & what Linda said

• 
  Linda Simoni-Wastila

  Feb 17, 02:17am

  Jules, if ever you do have the opp at a conference to meet with agents or editors, you should. Especially if you submit stuff ahead of time. I have gotten some excellent feedback on my work, requests for more, and have learned agents aren't that scary (usually).

  I'm jealous -- have fun! Peace...

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