Katrin Schumann

Conferences can be challenging for introverted writers. Here are some tips to not only get through the experince, but to really get something out of it:

• Make a list of your top goal(s) for the conference. It is entirely okay to have as your goal: Listen and learn. Sometimes absorbing information and then acting on it later is the best approach.
• If you are currently working on a book, practice your one liner. You will likely be talking about your project all weekend, and you want to feel good about how your characterize it.
• If you are participating in the manuscript mart, make a pact with yourself to let the agent/editor do 90 percent of the talking. If you find you are wasting precious time over-explaining your book, you're not getting the most out of the session.
• Rest. Take breaks. Get outside. Eat good food. 
• Go through the list of presenters and highlight anyone you're especially interested in. If you get a chance to talk with him or her, you'll have some information that can help make it go smoothly.
• A great question to ask anyone anytime: What are you working on that you're excited about?
• Buy books. Why not? Take a chance on books that are outside your normal wheelhouse.
• Take a lot of notes. Gather business cards, book info, handouts. Immediately after the conference, sit down for an hour and sort through the information. Make a list of next steps... and then do them!
• Make a few friends early on who you can check in with. It's always more fun to have a cohort. If you're navigating it alone, know that many, many others are solo, too.
• Wear comfortable shoes and keep in mind the hotel can often be cold.
• Be of help. It'll make asking others for help easier.