Calling all authors, especially picture book authors. Attending an author event is an opportunity to be inspired, connect with writers, and stay current on all things writing and publishing. As a bonus, you might even get a few tips about improving your writing.
I will be heading to the Believe 2023 event shortly. This event will include, writing coaching and workshops, inspiring and motivational speakers, expert panels, networking and more.
Benefits of attending an author event
There are a lot of potential benefits of attending author events that go beyond learning and networking. Those are important, but there are other benefits that people don’t always consider.
- Talking and sharing information with fellow authors, potential authors, editors, agents and publishers
- Hearing the latest information about the book market.
- Connect with speakers and organizers to open up new opportunities
- Sharing some content from the conference on social media
One great connection can lead to new writing opportunities, partnerships, and content creation. One new idea, if it’s the right one, can change the way you approach all of your work. Here are some tips I have collated to help you make the most of the event.
Before the author event
- Register early, especially if it is a popular event
- Make your travel plans, hotel, dinner reservations …
- Order extra business cards to share
- Think about your goals for the event. What would you like to learn? What are some areas in which you would like to grow?
- Have the right mindset – calm, focused, and optimistic
- Dress to impress – there will be photos!
- Arrive early, sign in, look over the schedule and note where the sessions are being held.
- Know the presenters in advance – check out their bios, and websites This will help you plan and prioritize to meet your event goals
- Eat a good dinner, stay hydrated and get a good nights sleep
During the author event
- Participate as much as possible in workshops and discussions
- Ask questions
- Write it down notes, thoughts, ideas …
- Network and make connections with other participants
- Collect business cards
- Live tweet and post about the event
- Briefly introduce yourself to any speaker and share what you have taken away from the session
- Be sure to eat, drink and keep your energy level high
- Take selfies and use the event hashtag on social media
After the event
- Take an hour after the conference to unload all your thoughts onto paper while things are still fresh.
- Follow up with a thank you note to the organizer
- Start to apply what you have learned
- Follow on social those that you meet and want to learn more from
- Follow up with new connections
- Write a blog post about best advice or tips from the event
Calling all authors – Have Fun!
Finally, plan to have fun—this may be your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, or it may just be the next step in your writing journey. Take advantage of all your event has to offer. Enjoy the experience, glean everything you possibly can from the people you meet and the sessions and workshops you attend, and keep moving toward that publishing dream.
Thoughts …
I hope you find these tips helpful. Please join me next week, right here on this blog. I will be sharing all about this event, the speakers, workshops, impressions … It will be a post that you will not want to miss.
With gratitude …
I am so glad you’re here. Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I am grateful that I can share my writing journey with you. It is an endless journey of learning and growing. A journey that I am enjoying.
I am now booking author visits for the 2023 -2024 school year. If you are a classroom teacher, teacher assistant, Parent Teacher Association President, or After school Director I can work with you to create a visit that will meet the needs of your students. Please contact me to book your visit.
My website has been updates and it is now interactive. There are surprises everywhere. Click on the balloons and see where they take you. Can you find two writing videos? Freebies? A chocolate chip recipe? There’s even a special freebie to anyone who subscribes to my newsletter. Check out the resources for children, parents and teachers, librarians and homeschooling families.
Please consider purchasing a copy of Two Wins for Wiley or Gertie Saves the Day for gifts. If you are going to a baby shower, birthday party or thinking about books for summer reading. It is my wish to get as many books as I can into the hands of children. Children need to hear all kinds of stories. A book is the best gift I can think of for both children and adults!
A request …
You can really help this author by leaving a book review on Amazon or Goodreads. You can leave a review for Gertie Saves the Day here or here. Two Wins for Wiley here or here. Reviews can be as easy as 2-3 sentences. It should take about 30 seconds to leave and would make a huge difference for me. Need help writing a review? Click here.