At the time of writing this newsletter, I had just spent an evening hanging out with a writing friend who was attending a big conference for the first time. Our conversation inspired me because it occurred to me that there might be other word nerds out there attending events this summer who may not know how to navigate them.

Fear not! Even if you’re a total introvert (like me!), writing conferences can be incredibly valuable and—dare I say it?—even fun. You just have to have a plan for the before, during, and after.

Before the Conference

You did it! You signed up for a writing conference, got your travel plans figured out and booked your hotel room. Give yourself a huge pat on the back and take a sigh of relief because the biggest hurdles are behind you. That said, if you want to get the most out of your writing conference experience, it’s good to have a game-plan going in. Here are a few things you can do to prepare:

Look Over the Schedule

Most conferences will give you a schedule when you arrive, but they also often post their schedules online. This way, you can see what sessions are being offered in advance and start mapping things out before you get there.

Look at the sessions being offered. A lot of conferences will have more than one track, which means you’ll have to choose between a few different options for each time block. I recommend having both a first and second choice. This way, if you get to one session and it’s not your jam or it’s over-packed and you can’t find a seat, you can easily go to the other session. I’m obsessed with office supplies, so if I were doing this, I’d print out a copy of the schedule and use colorful highlighters to mark up my first and second choice sessions.

Research Some Speakers

Some of the speakers might be familiar names. Others might be completely new to you. Take a little time in advance to read the bios of the speakers for the sessions you’ve selected so you can get to know them a bit. Most conferences post speaker bios online. This research may also help you decide between various options if you’re torn between multiple sessions.

If speakers have an online presence, you can follow the breadcrumbs to learn more about them, beyond what’s on the conference site. If they’re on social media, you can follow them there. If they have a newsletter, it might be worth checking it out. Take a little time to familiarize yourself with the speakers, so you can get a better sense for how they teach.

Connect on Social Media

Once upon a time, Twitter was the go-to place where most pre-conference networking would happen. Conferences would have a hashtag and you could follow that hashtag and see updates about the event and connect with fellow attendees. Alas, Twitter (I refuse to call it X) has gone sideways and much of the publishing world has exited to other platforms like Threads, BlueSky, or even Facebook or Instagram.

Some conferences (I’ve mostly seen this with online events) may have Facebook groups associated with them. In those cases, the conference will usually advertise the group in its pre-conference communications. If you’re on Facebook and the conference has a group, it can be worth joining. Sometimes speakers will pop in, and it’s also a great way to meet some fellow attendees.

During the Conference

The day has come! You’ve boarded your plane, train, or automobile and you’re on your way to the event. Now the fun really starts!

What to Bring

You’ll want a notebook and pens so you can take notes (trust me on this!). Some people bring computers, but not all conference rooms have tables (sometimes it’s just rows of chairs) in which case a laptop could be cumbersome. Plus you may not easily find a power outlet if you need to recharge your computer. Tablets can be a great, portable option, especially if your tablet has a keyboard case so it can double as a laptop. Personally, I’m a paper and pen sort of gal, so I just pack a notebook and my pen case and I’m ready to go.

Also not a bad idea to bring some cough drops (in case you get an annoying tickle in your throat), some portable snacks (like protein bars or trail mix), and a small bottle of water. Some conferences may offer coffee and snacks throughout the day but that’s not always the case, so be prepared. Also keep in mind that while some conferences have time set aside for a lunch break, others might have sessions back-to-back all day, in which case you may have to miss a session in order to grab lunch.

Go to Sessions

Remember that beautiful schedule you mapped out before the conference? Now’s the time to use it. Go to the sessions you selected. Take notes and have fun! Chat with the people sitting near you and see if you can make a friend or two. If you’re sitting in on a session and it’s truly a dud, tiptoe out discreetly and go to the back-up session you selected (this is why you want to choose two sessions for each time block.)

Breakout speaker sessions are pretty straightforward to navigate. Speakers usually have slides or a handout so all you have to do is take notes. Panels are a little trickier because they can be somewhat unpredictable. You never know which direction the conversation will go. This is why I always recommend to writers attending panels: search for 3 takeaways and 1 action step. If you’re listening to the conversation, looking for key takeaways and an action step, you’re more likely to get value from that session because you’ll leave it with concrete information. (By the way, you can use this rule of thumb with individual speaker sessions as well.)

During the Q&A (either of a breakout or a panel), if you have a question, ask it! Just make sure you frame it in a way that’s productive for all the other attendees in the room. (I.e., don’t make it too specific to your own book.) If you have a more specific question, see if you can chat with the speaker(s) after the session. Some breakout speakers and panelists will hang around for a few minutes after their talk is over and that’s a good time to ask a more specific question.

Build In Some Breaks

I get it. It’s super-tempting to try to squeeze every last drop of value from an event. After all, you invested a lot of time, money, and energy to go in the first place. But make sure you pace yourself. If you burn yourself out on the first day, you could end up missing out on something later. This is why it’s so important to build in time for breaks.

Play hookey now and then, and just skip a session or two. Things to do with those breaks include: taking a nap, hanging out in the bookstore, browsing the sponsor booths, relaxing near the coffee or water station and chatting with fellow attendees. Open yourself up to serendipitous meetings with other folks at the conference. This can be a great opportunity to network and make some new friends.

Pitch Your Book or Meet an Agent

Some conferences offer pitch sessions or agent consults where you can either pitch your book or have a short sit-down with an agent. Every conference does things a little bit differently, but regardless of the event, it’s always a good idea to arrive with a strong elevator pitch for your project, in case somebody asks you what your book is about. Plus, if you’re attending a pitch session or meeting with an agent, you’ll need to have a pitch anyway. Practice your pitch at every opportunity you have so that when the chance to share it comes up, it’s ready to go.

After the Conference

You had a blast, but now the event is over. (Cue sad face emoji.) The after-conference piece is perhaps the place where most writers drop the ball. This means, if you get awesome at follow-up, you’ll immediately rise above the crowd.

Follow-Up with Your Contacts

If agents asked you for materials, send those materials as soon as possible. That said, do not send materials unless you have the full book ready in the wings. An agent might say “I loved your pages… send me the full” and it will be really embarrassing if you haven’t finished writing the whole book yet. So hold off on sending partial materials until you’ve got the manuscript ready, but get it ready as fast as possible.

If you made friends and met fellow attendees at the conference, the week or so after the event is a great time to send a quick note to say “hi” and keep that connection going. Some of these fellow-attendees could become great critique partners or accountability buddies, so don’t let those connections go cold.

Take Time to Debrief

Make yourself a nice cup of coffee or tea and give yourself a good hour or so after the conference to debrief. (The plane or train ride home is a great time to do this.) Go back through your notes and highlight any insights or key points. Remember those 3 takeaways and 1 action step you hunted for during the panels? Go over those and think about how you’ll implement what you discovered. The key is to turn all that great learning you did at the conference into practical tools and techniques you can put into practice. Knowledge is great, but it won’t help you make progress unless you take action.

There you have it, an in-depth guide on how to navigate the before, during, and after of a writing conference. If you do go to a conference or event this summer (or later this year) I hope it’s a blast and that this guide is helpful!

Until next time, keep writing and keep being awesome!

P.S. For more info on Gabriela Pereira, the founder and instigator of DIY MFA, check out her profile page.

The post Writer Fuel: How to Get the Most Out of a Writing Conference appeared first on DIY MFA.

Have you gotten the DIY MFA Starter Kit yet? This is a two week email series full of worksheets to help you DIY your MFA. You’ll learn more about how to write with focus, read with purpose, and build your community. You’ll also start getting Writer Fuel, our newsletter full of words of wisdom and resources to help you keep the momentum going in your writing. And you’ll be the first to hear about other fun goodies we only share via email. Best of all, it’s free to join! You can sign up with your email at diymfa.com/join.

In this episode Christa and I discuss:

• Should one attend a conference as a beginner writer?
• How to choose the right conference to attend.
• The nuts and bolts on how to prepare for a conference. 

Link to Episode 472

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Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome!

The post Episode 472: Craft Jam: Conferences appeared first on DIY MFA.

1. Commitment. 

Make a commitment to write every day. Find the time that works for you. Maybe you decide you will take weekends off. Maybe you prefer mornings before everyone wakes up. Maybe you like nights when the house is quiet. Maybe you use your lunch hour to grab an hour of writing because it’s the only time you have that’s truly yours. 

Close your office door, or hang a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your cubicle wall, and focus for that time allotted as yours. But make a commitment to yourself. This commitment can even be just to write a page a day. Consider that if you wrote every day, just one page, you would have 365 pages at the end of one year. That’s the length of a novel. 

2. Create a routine. 

A wonderful book by Ralph Keyes, titled The Courage to Write, gives a myriad of examples of how many famous and successful authors start their day. Some get dressed as though going to an office, others go straight to their desk in their pajamas before speaking to a soul, some make tea and a scone to have while they write, and Mark Twain smoked inside a plume of cigar smoke. 

What is your routine or way to get yourself to the desk? 

3. Writing Practice. 

Often we think writing is linear—that we should just be able to sit down and write from the opening scene to the closing scene and that’s it. But that would be like saying a pianist should sit down and play a piece of music straight from the beginning to the end, as though they were at Carnegie Hall. 

Writers have to practice too. So many books, websites, and workshops offer writing prompts. DIY MFA has a fun spinning Vegas-style slot machine prompt delivery. Author Judy Reeves created A Writer’s Book of Days that is filled with prompts from lines of poetry to just a setting like “a corner booth” to get you started and keep you going. Use writing prompts to start every day.

4. Hitchhiking. 

This trick is helpful to cure writer’s block, but also can help you find your voice. Voice is that elusive craft trick that no one can tell you what it is, but you know it when you see it. In fiction, it’s important to have so that your narrative has its own tone and style. In memoir, you need it for the same reasons as fiction, but you need both a Voice of Experience and a Voice of Innocence. 

Here is how it works: Pick out a book that you admire more than most by an author who you wish you could write like. Then, copy word-for-word with pen and paper starting at Chapter 1. Your writer’s ear will examine every word, every sound, every shape of your favorite author’s writing in this slow process. You may do it for a few paragraphs, or for a few days and pages. It’s how apprentices learn from their masters—imitation. You won’t get very far before you’ll find you want to return to your own words.

5. Re-commit. 

How is your commitment? Check in on how your habits are doing. Are you writing every day? Do you need to consider a different time? Did you find your boss took advantage of you sitting at your desk every day and interrupted your lunchtime writing, and maybe you need to go outside to a coffee shop instead? Is morning just not your bag, and you need to write before going to bed instead? Or, give yourself a pat on the back for keeping the commitment and carry on. 

6. Join a writing group.

You are a few months into your book now, and if you’ve kept up your commitment, you should have enough pages to start sharing them with a group of writers to give you feedback. And, you’ll be reading other’s pages and looking at how other approaches work. We often learn more from other people’s writing than our own. And, writing groups also provide deadlines and accountability. 

7. Read. 

This isn’t a one-time task, this is a regular endeavor. Like joining a writing group and hitchhiking, reading is the best way to learn not just the craft of writing, but the art of writing. Reading is essential to being a writer. If you don’t read, you can’t call yourself a writer. Period. 

8. Re-commit. 

How’s that writing habit? Are you still writing every day? Did you slack off a little when summer vacation came, then figured why bother when you couldn’t remember where you left off? No reason to beat yourself up about not following through, just re-commit and start again. Focus on writing practice and moving forward, not where you’ve been. Tangents and new directions are part of the process. 

9. Research Writing Conferences. 

Writing community is essential to the writing process. If you’ve joined a writing group, that’s a start. But it’s also important to keep the writers you meet fresh and new. You’ll learn about the writing world, and not just writing on the page. “Make new friends!” my mom would always say. 

10. Enroll in a Writing Class.

I’ve always advised my students to have more than one teacher. It’s valuable to have different perspectives on your work. It’s also important to learn the basics, practice the basics, and learn new techniques to take your writing to the next level. 

11. NaNoWriMo. 

Join the international community of writers who write 50,000 words in the month of November. It’s a fun challenge that can often get that first draft done in one month, or maybe you are now on Draft 2. https://nanowrimo.org/about-nano

12. Re-commit.

When life gets busy, especially around holidays, or changes in our routines, it’s important to not let the dedication you have nurtured slip into a habit of not writing. Your book needs you. It’s good to take breaks, but don’t forget to find your way back inside the plume of creative fog before the muse wanders off. 

Amy Wallen is most recently the author of How to Write a Novel in 20 Pies: Sweet & Savory Secrets of Surviving the Writing Life. 

Bestselling author of a novel, and a memoir, she teaches writing workshops in California, France, and anywhere she’s invited, usually with pie. As writer-in-residence at Ocean Discovery Institute, Amy teaches personal storytelling to young people traditionally excluded from science due to race, income status, and educational opportunity. She was associate director of the New York State Summer Writers Institute for 7 years and founded DimeStories—three-minute stories told by the author and featured on NPR. 
You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The post 12 Steps to Getting that Book Written appeared first on DIY MFA.

I’m thrilled to be joining you here at DIY MFA to share actionable insights.

Over the last year, we’ve discussed author brand, how to SPARC great book cover design, using LinkedIn as an author, the role of contests in marketing your work, and multiple other topics. Please check out these previous articles on DIYMFA.com.

Have you ever thought that you’d like to share your knowledge through speaking? Today, we’ll cover how to get started with speaking at industry conferences and three benefits of doing so, which include: giving back, building your community, and tangible perks.

How did I start speaking at industry conferences?

Nearly a decade ago, I joined a writers’ group and attended their in-person session. When I introduced myself as a marketer working for Mars Incorporated, a gasp of delight rippled through the room. Initially, I thought they must really love chocolate. Pretty quickly, though, I realized they were eager to mine my knowledge of marketing! 

This group kicked off my speaking career by asking me to teach and share my expertise. I was passionate about the topic of brand, because I realized that not many had the perspective of a professional marketer, and people who were teaching the topic often conflated the concepts of brand with visual identity. These were my first two topics, and continue to be the most foundational presentations I give at industry conferences.

The Joy of Giving Back

In summary, I started speaking as a way to contribute to the writing communities that I’ve found to be incredibly generous.

This is the first benefit of speaking—the pure joy of seeing the impact of teaching. It’s a wonderful feeling to see how marketing knowledge can empower writers and publishers.

Nowadays, I often introduce my talks by acknowledging “Authors write for the love of the word and don’t always realize until later that they’re also expected to be marketers, businesspeople, and branding experts.”

Over the years, audiences have resonated again and again with my five core topics: Author Brand and Why Readers Care, Design as Art: Principles to Spark Brilliant Cover Design, Marketing like an Authorpreneur, Marketing Mindset, and Generational Insights into Millennial characters.

Conference attendees have said, “Carol inspires me and fires me up every time. I can’t wait to market my book and my why!” This is a great reason to speak at industry conferences—to give back, and witness the fulfillment that comes from making a difference for audiences.

Building Your Community

Secondly, I’ve found that the connections made at industry conferences last. 

I continue to be in contact with, and follow the work of, writers whom I met years ago at Writers’ Digest, Rutgers Writers’ Conference, NJ-SCBWI, Sisters in Crime, RWA, and other venues. 

A recent case in point: I spoke at the Independent Book Publisher Association’s Publishing University conference and was blown away by meeting publishers, authors, and other industry professionals. I loved presenting my book cover design insights. And multiple members of this warm, wonderful community have already reached out and connected!

Tangible Perks

Third, beyond networking, there are tangible benefits to speaking at industry conferences. Some events pay an honorarium, and/or provide speakers with free attendance, complimentary travel, the ability to sell books, or additional perks.

I truly treasure speaking at conferences, meeting new people, and making a difference in authors’ and publishers’ careers.

Simple Steps to Start Speaking at Industry Conferences

If speaking sounds appealing to you, start by identifying what topics you could uniquely teach. Ask yourself what you know deeply that others would like to learn. 

I’ve seen speakers present information on period costumes, medical details, productivity tools, story structure, editing, characterization, building conflict, great first sentences, social media, and much more. For instance, author K.M. Fawcett leans on her martial arts experience to teach classes on “Self-Defense” and “Writing Believable Fight Scenes.”

Once you have your concept, craft a logical flow, and a compelling course title and description. Research conferences in your area that you might like to attend, and submit proposals. Make sure to follow all their guidelines for submission.

After I submit a proposal, I hold the dates on my calendar until I hear back from the conference. As with many speaking gigs, conferences plan multiple months in advance, so expect events to put out a call for speakers six to nine months or more before the event.

Once you land a gig, ensure you (over)deliver. For me, I’m always striving to leave the audience with actionable takeaways, and that the talk is high energy and enjoyable. Make sure you know your content intimately enough to address questions well. Author Nancy Herkness says, “A well-organized, information-filled workshop sends me in search of the presenter’s books to buy, while a poorly prepared presentation leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

Don’t forget common courtesy—make sure you’re responsive to communications, that you’re on time or early, and that you’re well-prepared for the talk. You can even help promote the event, and follow up the talk with a thank you note to the organizer along with suggestions for future topics.

Herkness, who speaks and attends industry conferences, says, “If you do a terrific job of presenting one workshop, word will spread of the value you deliver and invitations to speak at other conferences will follow. You can become an authority on your topic, which brings invaluable exposure for your brand, as well as creating an aura of quality around your books.”

One professional who provides useful tips is Grant Baldwin. His “The Speaker Lab” podcast and website provide helpful guidance on building your speaking career.

Benefits of Speaking

In summary, consider speaking at industry conferences as a great way to 1) give back, 2) expand your community, and 3) benefit from attending valuable events and being compensated. Once you decide to speak, pick a topic of expertise, pitch conferences, prepare, and overdeliver!

Please share your own experiences with speaking at conferences in the comments!

Carol Van Den Hende is the award-winning author of the Goodbye, Orchid series, a public speaker, and MBA with 20+ years’ experience in marketing, strategy and insights. Carol is passionate about simplifying marketing concepts into actionable steps that authors need for publishing success. Please sign up for Carol’s newsletter at https://carolvandenhende.com/contact or contact her at linktr.ee/cvdh

The post Three Benefits to Speaking at Industry Conferences appeared first on DIY MFA.

However, while pitching can be an incredibly rewarding experience, it does have a few pit-falls. Most of them can be avoided by being prepared, polite and simply following the guidelines posted on the conference website. In the past few years, because I work as an editor and write on the side, I’ve been on both sides of the pitching table. Today, I’d like to talk about some typical rules for pitching, and the reasons behind them. If I miss any, leave a comment, and I’m happy to talk through them!

Only Pitch One Project at a Time

It can be tempting, when you’ve only got ten minutes with one person, to give them all you’ve got. Show them all your books, because they might like one better than the others. But it’s really difficult to pitch more than one book well in the time that’s allotted at most pitch sessions. What ends up happening is a writer spends all time talking about his or her projects, and there’s no time for questions, or feedback.

An agent or editor is only going to be able to sell or buy one project at a time (even when books are bought as part of a multiple book contract, it’s usually based on the first book). Having a strong, single pitch shows that you know how to follow the rules, are confident in your work, and are eager to interact with the agent or editor. One of the great benefits of pitch sessions is the time, after you pitch, to just talk and ask questions. Taking too long to pitch, or pitching multiple projects, cuts into that!

Don’t Bring Pages

It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal: a few pages are not that bulky, and they don’t take up that much space. But here’s the thing: an editor or agent isn’t just going to tuck said pages into a suitcase. She will have to carry them around all day. Make sure coffee doesn’t get spilled on them. Remember which author they belong to. The reality is, most agents and editors aren’t going to do that. They’re going to throw them away.

At one of my first pitch sessions as an editor, a writer gave me the first one hundred pages of a manuscript, neatly and professionally bound. For me, working as an editor is a constant battle against guilt. I think this is probably true of most editors and agents. We don’t enjoy rejecting things. It’s the worst part of the job. But it’s something we have to do. At the time, I couldn’t bear to do it without at least reading the pages. But I didn’t have a purse big enough to hold them, and I didn’t have time to run up to my hotel room to drop them off. So, I carried those pages around with me for the entire day, growing grumpier and grumpier. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn’t do that again. I’d give the writer my card and ask them to email me, same as everyone else. Printing pages is really just a waste of time and money, and it gives an editor or agent the impression that a writer doesn’t respect the rules or them.

Read Up on an Editor or Agent’s List

I work at a company that is known for science fiction and fantasy, but acquire historical fiction and contemporaries. Writers pitch me awesome sounding epic fantasies that might be wonderful, but are totally wrong for my own list. While I’m always perfectly happy to look at pages and pass them on to a coworker who might enjoy them, or to help a writer hone a pitch, I’m not going to be the most productive use of that writer’s time. Also, in taking up one of my slots, a writer is taking the space of another writer who might have the sort of book I acquire. It’s really in everyone’s best interest to sign up for editors and agents who want the type of book you’re going to pitch. So always be sure to read the bios included in the conference materials. It’s why we write them!I

Another great resource is to check out agents and editor’s #MSWL pages, or search their tweets and interviews. It takes a little extra time, but it shows initiative, resourcefulness and respect for our time. And hey! You may discover that your book is absolutely perfect for someone.

The post Pitch Perfectly by Following a Few Rules appeared first on DIY MFA.

Summer is over, and I’m not mourning. I’m a little too busy anticipating the first Chai Tea Latte of the season, sweaters, and cozy writing days. But boy, was this a busy and wonderful few months! Summer is high conference season, and as we prepared for our own writing conference this October, the DIY MFA team was out and about attending and speaking at some of the biggest conferences of the year. Here are five highlights from a summer to remember.

#1) Book Expo America

Gabriela and Bess were both at BEA this year, grabbing all kinds of swag and free books and networking our little hearts out! BEA is a fantastic conference for writers, book bloggers and librarians as well as publishing professionals. It’s also several frenzied days at the massive Javitz Center, and can be a little overwhelming. Luckily, Gabriela is a pro at navigating BEA, and on DIY MFA Radio, she shared her tips to make the most of BEA! She also recapped her 2015 experience. Check it out!

#2) Thrillerfest

This is one of Gabriela’s favorite conferences, and she outlined her reasons for that right here. This was also Emily Wenstrom’s first year attending Thrillerfest. She gave some fantastic recaps, including quotes from industry greats, an in-depth discussion of the industry experts’ opinions on author platforming, and a recap of what several famous authors, including Nelson Demille and Charlaine Harris had to say about the writer’s life.

#3) Romance Writers of America Conference

Robin Lovett attended the Romance Writers of America Conference here in New York City. It was her first major conference, and she was psyched about it! Using the advice of other attendees, she documented how she prepped to get the most out of the conference. She had a fantastic three days of networking and learning, and brought the scoop back to us. Check it out!

#4) Writers Digest

Sara Letourneau and Leanne Sowul both attended the Writers Digest Conference, and Gabriela and I both spoke at it. In fact, Gabriela gave three talks! This was Sara’s first major conference, and she loved it. Lucky for us, she also took good notes. Check out her list of quotes from the fantastic authors in attendance, including Jonathan Maberry and Jacqueline Woodson, and her wrap up of recurring themes that industry experts and writers touched on at the conference.

#5) Writer Igniter Con 2015

Okay, so, this conference hasn’t actually happened yet, but here at DIY MFA we’re already stoked about it! Emily Wenstrom will be teaching a class on social media, and she’s teased what’s in store right here. I’ll be teaching a workshop on one of my favorite topics–the first five pages of your manuscript. Read all about it right here. And look out in the next few weeks for some more info about all the great classes in store, and be sure to secure your spot!

Bess Cozby writes epic stories in expansive worlds from her tiny apartment in New York City. By day, she’s an Editor at Tor Books, and Web Editor for DIY MFA. Her work is represented by Brooks Sherman of the Bent Agency. Tweet her at @besscozby, contact her at bess@diymfa.com, or visit her website at www.besscozby.com.

The post #5OnFri: Five Awesome Conference Round-Ups appeared first on DIY MFA.

Steve Berry is a New York Times and internationally bestselling thriller author and creator of the Cotton Malone series. His books have been translated into 40 languages, with more than 19 million printed copies in 51 countries. A 2010 NPR survey named one of his books–The Templar Legacy–one of the top 100 thrillers ever written. Clearly when it comes to writing books that captivate readers, Steve Berry knows his stuff.

There is history at the heart of every novel he writes and together with his wife, he founded  History Matters, a foundation dedicated to historic preservation. Since 2009 Steve and and his wife Elizabeth have crossed the country to save endangered historic treasures raising money via lectures, receptions, galas, luncheons, dinners and, of course, writers’ workshops.

What I admire about Steve Berry is that he’s a writer who is using his role as an author not only to create stories that entertain, but to do philanthropic work he truly believes in. Listen to our conversation here:

In this interview, Steve and I talk about:

• What drew Steve to write thrillers in the first place.
• Steve’s favorite part about writing history-based thrillers.
• The most important skill that writers need to develop, and how to learn it.
• The importance of plot and story structure, and how character is intertwined in both.
• How to use reading to teach yourself to write.
• Why we love Thrillerfest, the ultimate writing conference for thriller writers.
  (Hint: this event is super-awesome!)

Tweet this.

Plus: Steve shares his #1 tip for writers.

Resources:

Steve Berry’s newest book The Patriot Threat is available on Amazon now!

For more information, visit www.steveberry.org or connect with him on social media:

Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Youtube

Link to Episode 42

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If you liked this episode…

Head over to iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe so you’ll be first to know when new episodes are available. Also, if you know anyone who might enjoy this podcast, please share!

Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome.

The post Episode 42: Interview with Thriller Author Steve Berry appeared first on DIY MFA.

Whether you’re just starting out as a writer or you’re an old pro, attending a writing conference can be more than a little intimidating and overwhelming, especially if you’re something of an introvert, like me. In this episode I’ll share with you the #1 thing you need to do at a conference in order to propel your writing career to epic heights. I’ll also share my top tips for getting the most out of a conference before, during and after the event. You’ll also learn my simple 4-step formula for how to talk to and connect with anyone, from fellow attendees to bigwig agents and publishers. Finally, I’ll let you in on the biggest mistake that writers make when attending a conference, and show you how to avoid this major pitfall.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

First and foremost, at any conference you attend (and really in all areas of your life) you need to be present. This is the #1 thing you can do at a conference to get the most out of your experience. You have to show up so that good things can happen. This means more than just physically being at an event. Push yourself to be out there, whether that’s meeting other attendees, agents, and speakers, or posting about your experience at the event on your blog or on social media.

“The more you show up, the more people will remember you.” @DIYMFA

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If you can’t attend events because of budget or distance, get involved locally. Attend writing groups and connect with people. And if you can’t find any local events, get online. There are a number of great virtual writing events hosted each year. Find out how you can participate.

While you’re at the conference, it’s important to BE PRESENT as well. Don’t waste time thinking about what is coming next or worrying about what happened earlier. Be in the moment.

Pro tip: Take notes. Even if you already know the information being presented, note-taking is a great way to BE PRESENT and keep your mind focused on what’s going on right now.

Finally, be genuine in all of your interactions. Don’t network for the sake of networking. Take your time, connect with fewer people, and connect more deeply. That’s the best way to make a lasting impression and to make real contact.

How to be successful before, during, and after a conference

Before

• Do your homework. Research the speakers and the conference schedule and plan out who you want to see and what other talks you want to attend.
• Follow the speakers and agents who will be attending the event on Twitter. Be connected to the buzz around the conference and keep up with current topics surrounding the event.
• Be prepared. If you’re going to pitch to agents at an event, make sure you’re ready. Memorize your pitch and know it well. You want to put your best foot forward. Also, know who you’re pitching to. Never pitch to your #1 agent first. Warm up on your #4 and #5 agent picks so that you get the jitters out and a little bit of practice before you pitch to your #1 choice.

During

• Don’t be “that guy.” You know the one. The one who asks questions that benefit only himself, the one who takes up all the speaker’s time and doesn’t leave room for anyone else. It’s easy to NOT be that guy. Just remember your common sense and your manners.
• Ask POWER questions. A good question is broad enough to help others while still addressing the specific problem you have.
• Don’t just network, CONNECT. Networking is all about you and what you can get out of a relationship. Connecting is about the other person, too. Here’s a 4-step technique you can use to build genuine connections in just a few minutes.

1. Pay them a specific and genuine compliment.
2. Ask an insightful question (this shows that you’ve been paying attention).
3. Make a small ask. (Usually I ask for a business card or for the opportunity to follow up with them later.)
4. Say thank you and get the heck out of there. This entire interaction should take less than 3 minutes!

After

• Follow up! Don’t wait too long to follow up, but don’t follow up too soon and expect a response, either. The sweet spot is usually about 1-2 weeks after an event. The only exception to this rule is, if you’ve participated in a pitch slam and received a request for more pages, a full manuscript, etc., don’t send your material until you’re absolutely ready.

Finally…

The biggest mistake writers make when attending a writing conference is that they focus way too much on getting published. Focus on improving your craft and making genuine connections. Publishing is a natural side-effect of great writing and great connections.

Resources:

So far, I’m scheduled to speak at these three conferences in 2015. If you attend one of these events, make sure to come and say “hi” so we can connect!

I’m thrilled to be speaking at The Write Stuff, presented by the Greater Lehigh Valley Writer’s Group. This is my first time at this specific event, but just from looking at the speakers line-up it looks to be FANTASTIC! Registration closes MARCH 9 so if you’re interested in this event, sign up now.

Bess–the DIY MFA web editor–and I are co-presenting at CAPA-U, an event hosted by the Connecticut Authors & Publishers Association. This conference also looks amazing,. I’m honored to be included among these great speakers and can’t wait to attend this event for the first time.

Finally, I’ll be giving several talks at one of my favorite conferences of the year: the Writers Digest Conference in New York City. Also, the awesome folks over at Writer’s Digest have put together a special coupon code for DIY MFA attendees. Use the code DIYMFA15 when you sign up to get $25 off the registration.

Using this code will also let me know how many DIY MFA-ers will be attending the event, so that I can plan a special meet-up for our community. (Please note, if you use this code DIY MFA will get a small commission at no cost to you. This will help defray the cost of whatever special bonus I plan for our group.) Early bird pricing ends March 9, so don’t wait!

Link to Episode 32

(Right-click to download.)

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Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome.

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