Author Topic: Writing Cons  (Read 7429 times)

Offline blgarver

  • Conversationalist
  • **
  • Posts: 543
  • There are three things all wise men fear...
    • View Profile
    • Video Samples
Writing Cons
« on: April 13, 2007, 04:09:32 PM »
So I was talking a little bit with Shannon at Jim's signing in Overland Park, and during the convo she suggested that I become a face to the editors and agents I'm submitting to.  And then I read on Jim's home page that's exactly what he did, and the lady who'd rejected him before, then got interested because she had actually met him.

Well, Shannon suggested I start going to writers conferences and conventions where agents and editors and such are there scouting for new talent.  Okay, awesome, I'm all for it.  However, I'm not real sure how to find out where or when any of these type of events are.

I'm a Missouri boy, and not a rich one, so I'd like to find a Con in Missouri right now, so I could attend.  If not in MO, then that's cool, I'll make it work. 

Does anyone know of any upcoming conventions or conferences or know where I could go to find out for myself?

Also, what are your experiences at these types of events?
I'm a videographer by trade.  Check out my work if you're a writer that needs to procrastinate.  Not as good as Rhett and Link, but I do what I can.
http://vimeo.com/user1855060/videos

Offline pathele

  • Conversationalist
  • **
  • Posts: 129
    • View Profile
Re: Writing Cons
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2007, 04:27:28 PM »
There's the obvious one: Pike's Peak writers convention (Colorado Springs)  Jim is going to be there.
Other than that, not a clue. 

-paul

Offline blgarver

  • Conversationalist
  • **
  • Posts: 543
  • There are three things all wise men fear...
    • View Profile
    • Video Samples
Re: Writing Cons
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2007, 04:31:14 PM »
Colorado Springs, eh?  I do have some vacation time coming up...plus I've got a friend that lives in Colorado, who enjoys writing also.

Thanks for the tip!
I'm a videographer by trade.  Check out my work if you're a writer that needs to procrastinate.  Not as good as Rhett and Link, but I do what I can.
http://vimeo.com/user1855060/videos

Offline pathele

  • Conversationalist
  • **
  • Posts: 129
    • View Profile
Re: Writing Cons
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2007, 04:34:00 PM »
Another approach might be to identify the editor/agent that you want to 'target' for you work and then do a google search for their name and conventions. You might get lucky.

-paul

Offline blgarver

  • Conversationalist
  • **
  • Posts: 543
  • There are three things all wise men fear...
    • View Profile
    • Video Samples
Re: Writing Cons
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2007, 05:02:45 PM »
Yeah.  I'm pretty clueless on where to start.  I don't have a completed manuscript of anything yet, so I haven't even been searching for agents or anything.

I was mainly wanting to go just to get myself into the world a little bit, and learn more about the business.

I should have my book finished in a few months, though, so then I'll start searching for people.

and crap, the Pike's Peak is next weekend.  Too short of notice...  Maybe next year.
« Last Edit: April 13, 2007, 05:07:34 PM by blgarver »
I'm a videographer by trade.  Check out my work if you're a writer that needs to procrastinate.  Not as good as Rhett and Link, but I do what I can.
http://vimeo.com/user1855060/videos

Offline Mickey Finn

  • Encyclopedia Salesman at the Gates of Mordor --- http://tinyurl.com/Amazon-Page-for-Finn
  • White Council
  • Posty McPostington
  • *****
  • Posts: 8382
  • Moderator, Thematic Consultant for Comic
    • View Profile
    • Amazon Profile
Re: Writing Cons
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2007, 05:10:20 PM »
www.dfwcon.org

Seriously good writer's con.
We are not nouns. We are VERBS. -Stephen Fry
The Universe is made of stories, not of atoms. -Muriel Rukeyser

Podcast: http://thegentlemennerds.com/

Wormwood Mysteries:
"All The Pretty Little Horses" http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W8FE3FS 
"Sign of the Times" http://tinyurl.com/DirtyMagick

Offline blgarver

  • Conversationalist
  • **
  • Posts: 543
  • There are three things all wise men fear...
    • View Profile
    • Video Samples
Re: Writing Cons
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2007, 05:37:28 PM »
www.dfwcon.org

Seriously good writer's con.

Hey, Mickey, that link didn't work. 
I'm a videographer by trade.  Check out my work if you're a writer that needs to procrastinate.  Not as good as Rhett and Link, but I do what I can.
http://vimeo.com/user1855060/videos

Offline pathele

  • Conversationalist
  • **
  • Posts: 129
    • View Profile
Re: Writing Cons
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2007, 05:53:48 PM »
www.condfw.org
and it was in March. Have to wait for next year.

-paul

Offline blgarver

  • Conversationalist
  • **
  • Posts: 543
  • There are three things all wise men fear...
    • View Profile
    • Video Samples
Re: Writing Cons
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2007, 07:36:53 PM »
Okay, cool.  That worked.  I'll do my homework and prepare for next time.  Thanks guys!
I'm a videographer by trade.  Check out my work if you're a writer that needs to procrastinate.  Not as good as Rhett and Link, but I do what I can.
http://vimeo.com/user1855060/videos

Offline Tasmin21

  • Participant
  • *
  • Posts: 50
    • View Profile
    • On Literary Intent
Re: Writing Cons
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2007, 10:19:55 PM »
Slightly off topic, but I have to ask...

Which one were you? ;)  I was at the Overland Park signing too.

Offline blgarver

  • Conversationalist
  • **
  • Posts: 543
  • There are three things all wise men fear...
    • View Profile
    • Video Samples
Re: Writing Cons
« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2007, 11:00:44 PM »
Slightly off topic, but I have to ask...

Which one were you? ;)  I was at the Overland Park signing too.

I was the guy in the big blue news jacket, standing over by Jim's chair during the Q&A.  I asked him if he outlined a lot before he started to write a book, and my friend who was standing right beside me asked him who he would liked to have direct the Dresden Files if it ever went to the big screen.  I had a grey Targus backpack and my firend had blue and black bookbag.

Uh...we were the youngest ones there I think.  I have black spikey hair and a chin strap/goatee...that's how most people identify me.

Any of that ring a bell?
I'm a videographer by trade.  Check out my work if you're a writer that needs to procrastinate.  Not as good as Rhett and Link, but I do what I can.
http://vimeo.com/user1855060/videos

Offline Tasmin21

  • Participant
  • *
  • Posts: 50
    • View Profile
    • On Literary Intent
Re: Writing Cons
« Reply #11 on: April 14, 2007, 02:00:02 PM »
I think i was on the other side of the bookcases from you during the question and answer period, 'cause I couldn't see who asked the director question.

I was the long curly haired female in the black leather biker jacket.

Offline blgarver

  • Conversationalist
  • **
  • Posts: 543
  • There are three things all wise men fear...
    • View Profile
    • Video Samples
Re: Writing Cons
« Reply #12 on: April 14, 2007, 02:53:07 PM »
Hmmm, I don't remember any long females.

 ;)
I'm a videographer by trade.  Check out my work if you're a writer that needs to procrastinate.  Not as good as Rhett and Link, but I do what I can.
http://vimeo.com/user1855060/videos

Offline the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh

  • O. M. G.
  • ***
  • Posts: 39098
  • Riding eternal, shiny and Firefox
    • View Profile
Re: Writing Cons
« Reply #13 on: April 14, 2007, 06:34:10 PM »
Another approach might be to identify the editor/agent that you want to 'target' for you work and then do a google search for their name and conventions. You might get lucky.

Do bear in mind that editors are people too, and conventions are at least as much about having fun to them as about doing business; if you hard-sell yourself at a stranger, it's very easy to turn them right off and earn a name as a pushy jerk.
Mildly OCD. Please do not troll.

"What do you mean, Lawful Silly isn't a valid alignment?"

kittensgame, Sandcastle Builder, Homestuck, Welcome to Night Vale, Civ III, lots of print genre SF, and old-school SATT gaming if I had the time.  Also Pandemic Legacy is the best game ever.

Offline blgarver

  • Conversationalist
  • **
  • Posts: 543
  • There are three things all wise men fear...
    • View Profile
    • Video Samples
Re: Writing Cons
« Reply #14 on: April 14, 2007, 07:30:54 PM »
Yeah, I'm not looking to do that.  I just want to go and get involved, be part of the world I claim to be a part of.  The first few I attend won't even be about business.  Those will be just pure nerd fun, and about meeting people. 

I think it would be awesome to be at a huge gathering with like-minded people.
I'm a videographer by trade.  Check out my work if you're a writer that needs to procrastinate.  Not as good as Rhett and Link, but I do what I can.
http://vimeo.com/user1855060/videos