How to Attend a Children's Writers Conference

There are many writers conferences throughout the year. But the tween or children's writer should concentrate on those that are focused on their market. The Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators has 2 national conferences annually, in late summer in Los Angeles and in mid-winter in New York City. Regional chapters of the SCBWI have their own local conferences. Here's how you can attend one of these conferences.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet connect for research
• Money to attend a conference

1. Request and read the advance brochure carefully. Make a plan. Know what you want to accomplish. Many brochures can be seen online.
2. Register and select the panels that you want to attend. Also schedule meeting with editors and agents.
3. Arrive earl each day of the conference. Spend time meeting people. This is a good way to begin networking.
4. Listen carefully and take notes at all panels you attend. Make a point to introduce yourself to the speaker, particularly if he or she is an editor you may want to submit to.
5. Be prepared to meet with editors and agents at scheduled time. And have a 3-minute pitch to those you happen to bump into at the conference.
6. Take home all conference handouts and read them carefully. Make a note of what went right and what went wrong to prepare for the next conference.

Tips & Warnings

• Send a short follow up “thank you” note or email to those speakers and others at the conference who impressed you.