Wednesday, September 3, 2014

IWSG September—SCBWI Awesomeness

The first Wednesday of every month is reserved for the Insecure Writers Support Group (also known as the IWSG). If you are interested in joining this awesome group where we post our insecurities, triumphs, fears, and failures, as well as offer encouragement to fellow writers, you can sign up HERE. Created by the amazing Alex Cavanaugh, the IWSG is a wonderful group to be a part of.



I recently signed up for the SCBWI Carolinas Conference: To Tell a Tale which will be held in Charlotte in a couple weeks. And I'm so excited! Ever since I decided to switch genres and tackle Young Adult, I've been looking for the right conference for me. And wouldn't you know it...there's one close to home!



Since I registered, I've had tons of thoughts going through my head as well as a running list of things I need to do to get ready for the conference. Here's what I think I need to do before the conference... (All of you conference experts out there, let me know if I'm on the right track!)

  • Make business cards with contact info to hand out to other writers at the conference.
  • Have my elevator pitch ready in case someone asks me what I'm working on.
  • Work on my query so when the conference is over, I can submit to the agents who attend. 
  • Make sure I have appropriate business casual clothes to wear (hmm, I might need to go shopping for this one...)
  • Have my first page polished and in appropriate format for the First Pages/First Impressions submission.
  • Be ready to learn, immerse myself in writing, and meet other writers. (Sounds fun, right?!)

Can you think of anything else? 


18 comments:

  1. I've never been to one, but that sounds like a good check list. Maybe take a water bottle so your mouth won't go dry when you bump into your dream agent!

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  2. That all sounds good! I would also bring a sweater - I always get cold at those things - but that might just be me. Have fun!

    Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

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  3. Have fun at your conference. I, too, have never been to one, so I have nothing to add but well wishes.

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  4. Wear comfortable shoes! I haven't actually been to a conference before, but I could imagine you might be on your feet a lot. Have fun!

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  6. Ditto the have fun, be comfortable, wear good shoes, make sure you have something to drink, Oh I have one to add find the closest bathroom in case you really need it. Never been to one of these, but your checklist sounds great.

    Juneta at Writer's Gambit

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  7. I wish I could go.

    Smart woman to have business cards! Every writer needs them.

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  8. Your list pretty much hits it all! When I went to my local SCBWI conference, I did what I saw a lot of other people doing- I tucked my business cards in the back of my name card lanyard. They were then quick and super easy to grab instead of rooting around in my bag. I also saw a mix of clothes- some ppl dressed up more, and others wore jeans and nice tops. But definitely ditto on a sweater. I froze! =) I know you're going to have an awesome time!

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  9. You have a great list! Ditto on the sweater idea. I also try to meet any local authors that I admire to get their book signed--that's one of my favorite things about conferences. SCBWI is awesome! Have fun!

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  10. Breathe!! Drink lots of water and bring comfortable shoes. Write notes on the back of business cards to remind you of who they are and where you met them!! Have fun.

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  11. Take mints. When I get nervous, my mouth gets all dry...and the freshest breath could never hurt!

    Have fun!!

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  12. A great list and I have nothing to add but maybe bring a drink with you and you could always lace it with something fun and groovy...just kidding. This is not the way to calm the nerves but you can always have something after:) Have fun! This is the biggest thing:)

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  13. Sounds like you've got everything. Just make sure you have an empty notebook and plenty of extra pens for all the stuff you'll be learning. I'm hoping they have a SCBWI event up in Michigan in the near future.

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  14. You're right on every point! Don't stress too much about your attire, though. I've seen everything from business suits to jeans! All of my dressy clothes are sundresses...I'm hoping it's still okay to wear them for the conference I'm attending next weekend. It's 90 degrees here still! Instead of business cards, this year I did ink pens with my name and website URL on them. I figured at least I'd give them something they'd hold onto after the conference! But I won't be meeting with editors...just networking and signing books during the autograph party. The whole editor/agent appointment part of it is the stressful part.

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  15. I read your bio and see you have five boys. I LOVE that! I have three :)

    Your checklist looks pretty darn complete to me. You'll have fun and come away inspired.

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  16. Oh, how exciting...and no doubt overwhelming, too! Good luck preparing for the conference!

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  17. Sounds great. Don't forget to have fun!

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  18. You sound super prepared!!! I would also make a list of the people you might want to meet, so that if you do happen to run into anyone on that list, you'll know who they are and be prepared :) oh AND bring a computer or tablet or old-fashioned paper and pen to take notes!

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