Ask the Critic: Attending writers conferences

Anonymous writes:

Is it worth it to attend a conference mostly to pitch a book or are the publishers present really there to sell books not to buy new ones?

I think most writers conferences, especially the larger ones like Bouchercon and ThrillerFest, probably aren't much use when it comes to pitching publishers. You can make contacts at them -- they're a good place to meet agents, for example -- but the hectic, frenetic nature of such conferences really doesn't lend itself to any kind of formal pitching. Also, editors generally attend to support their authors; they're not really looking for someone to hand them a manuscript.

Some of the smaller conferences, however, do schedule pitch meetings with representatives from publishers. They do that at Love Is Murder, for example, where attendees can register for pitch sessions with Bleak House Books, Tekno/Five Star Books and Echelon Press. If you're interested in one of those publishers, then attending the conference might prove to be a great deal of help.

I think that, for aspiring writers, conferences are most useful for making contacts, learning more about the craft and the business of publishing, talking shop and just enjoying the camaraderie of fellow writers. For that, they can be invaluable.

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Comments

[Bill Cameron]

There are conferences which cater to aspiring writers and specifically provide pitching opportunities. Out in my neck of the woods there is the Willamette Writers Conference each summer, which features not only workshops on craft, marketing, and a host of other aspects of going from aspiring to published, but also pitch sessions with agents and editors. Each year there are success stories in which people find a home for their manuscripts or screenplays.

I would imagine such conferences occur throughout the country at various times and places, though I imagine some research will be necessary to track them down. Conferences like Bouchercon and ThrillerFest seem more general audience, if not outright fan-oriented, so while they include that component of talking shop and craft, they are not really about developing aspiring writers.

[Clea Simon]

They do, Bill. The New England Crimebake really focuses on writers/aspiring writers, with agent meets, workshops, etc., while one of my favorites, Malice Domestic (held each spring in Arlington, VA) is more of a general fan fair.

[Elaine Flinn]

In addition to those already mentioned, new writers hoping to find an agent and/or publisher might check out the Maui Writers Conference held each year around Labor Day weekend.