by Alycia W. Morales     @AlyciaMorales

As conference season approaches, preparations loom around the corner. Now is not the time to procrastinate. Now is the time to prepare for those fifteen-minute appointments, pitches, cramming all that class material into your brain, and networking with other writers, agents, and editors.

Here are a few suggestions for how to prepare for a writers conference.

1. Order your business cards ahead of time. This way, if there’s any misprint, you have time to work that out with the printer and get the reprints. Remember, your business card should contain pertinent information such as your name, your headshot photo, your email address, website address, and your two prominent social media links (such as Facebook and Twitter). Do NOT include your home address on your cards.
2. Prepare, hone, and practice your pitch. This should be right around 30 seconds long. It’s usually 25 words or less. The sooner you start practicing, the easier it will roll off your tongue when someone asks, “What’s your story about?” at the conference.
3. Tighten up your first three chapters and a synopsis. These are what an editor or agent will usually look at while sitting in a 15-minute appointment. They won’t have time to read an entire manuscript, but they may request you email it to them if they like your concept. So make sure that first three chapters and synopsis look sharp and read well. Follow industry guidelines for formatting, and be sure to check and double check and triple check your grammar and spelling and punctuation.
4. Enter the contests. For a first-time entry, this can be nerve wracking. What if you win? How will you deal with the disappointment if you don’t? If you do win, the agents and editors sitting in the room when your name is called will possibly take note. It also looks good on your writing resume. If you don’t win, not many people will know, and it’s an opportunity for you to go back to that entry and work to improve your writing. Either way, you win. (And just because you lose doesn’t mean your writing is terrible. You may be an excellent writer and have been up against several others equally talented.)
5. Submit for a critique. The value you walk away with for somewhere between $25 and $40 is well worth that small expense. Again, it’s another opportunity to share your writing with a professional and to get solid feedback so you know what you need to do to improve your manuscript before submitting it to an editor or agent. Take advantage of the opportunity.
6. Think ahead. What will you need? New shirts? Comfortable shoes? A roll-along bag for your laptop and note-taking materials? Prepare ahead of time to make these purchases. No need to wait until last minute, when you’ll be anxiously packing that suitcase and realize you forgot to go shopping for X, Y, or Z.
7. Pray. This is probably the most important part of preparation. If God is in control of your heart, your life, and your writing career, listen for His advice. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve decided to ditch my well-laid plans and let God lead me through the conference experience only to come out tremendously blessed at the end. It’s never too early to start talking with Father about what you hope and desire and to let Him tell you His vision for your conference. Be sure not to put God in a box. He can do far more than you or I could ever hope or think. 😉

What conferences are you planning to attend this year? Feel free to ask any questions you may have in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you! [reminder]

Alycia W. Morales is an award-winning freelance editor and author. Her clients have won the Selah Award, BRMCWC Director’s Choice Award, and many others. Her writing has been published in Thriving Family magazine, Splickety Love, and several compilation books. She is a member of ACFW, the president of Cross n’ Pens critique group, and a BRMCWC Conference Assistant.

Alycia blogs at The Write Editing and Life. Inspired.

When she isn’t busy writing, editing, and reading, Alycia enjoys spending time with her husband and four children taking hikes in Upstate SC and NC, creating various crafts, coloring in adult coloring books, and watching TV.