You’ve chosen the writing conference best suited to your budget, aspirations and genre. Now what?
1. Select the writing sample you want to share with your instructor and classmates. I recommend selecting a piece you want feedback on, nothing that’s been edited to perfection and nothing you’re unwilling to hear criticized. Obviously a perfect piece won’t garner any helpful feedback. Sharing a raw story about a personal struggle, even if it’s written straight from your heart, might prove too sensitive and you’ll end up angry at people for criticizing your story. Choose a selection from your current project, one that best represents your talents and struggles as a writer. If you’re a novelist, you may want to choose the first chapter to avoid having to tell the entire story behind your selection, although sharing a pivotal scene might elicit very helpful insights from your readers. You want to take full advantage of this opportunity to learn as much as you can, so do not bring writing that’s not ready for an audience.
2. Spell and grammar-check your selection. Make sure it’s typed, double-spaced using standard margins and a familiar font (Times New Roman, for example). Print your selection single-sided and include page numbers along with your name on the top or bottom margin. Make enough copies for your instructor and any other conference attendees. Make sure your copies are legible. I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but my advice is based on prior conference experiences. If you want to be perceived as professional about your writing, the presentation of your writing should reflect professionalism.
3. Compile clean copies of anything else you’d like to share with other conference attendees. You’ll probably meet all kinds of writers and enjoy the opportunity to exchange other pieces of your work. I’ve brought first chapters from all of my novels, a few essays and a couple of poems to every conference I’ve attended…just in case.
To learn more about how to prepare for a writing workshop or conference, check out our book Writing in a Changing World, available as an ebook or in paperback.
