Muse and the Marketplace 101: Hone Your Networking Skills Before the Big Conference

Are you hoping to get your big break at this year’s Muse or another writing conference? It could happen, but you will not have a shot at bonding with an agent or book editor unless you come prepared and find ways to make yourself shine. A veteran journalist, who’s also an experienced conference schmoozer and former public speaking instructor, will give tips on how to not only survive a huge writers’ conference but come away with contacts for a lifetime. In a three-hour session, you’ll learn ways to craft questions that resonate with a speaker rather than annoy them. You'll also get practice on elevator pitches you may find yourself giving to an agent or editor during the conference. You’ll get ideas on how to make the most of your time not just at workshops, but in the halls and at lunch, where the best networking often happens. Is it okay to approach that best-selling author sitting in the lounge chair? You bet. But do your homework.

Please bring - if applicable - a one-page copy of your elevator pitch for your book, your work, etc.  

Part of GrubStreet's "Get Published" series, dedicated to helping writers navigate the publishing world. For more on this series' offerings, click here.