Be Kind to the Conference Newbie

At the end of October I will be attending my first ever writers' conference.  A good friend and I have talked about going to the Surrey International Writers' Conference for years, and we are finally going!


I don't really know what to expect.  There will be workshops and lunches and dinners and get-togethers, and I am hoping to learn a lot and meet many like-minded people.  But I am most excited for the Pitch Session and Blue Pencil appointment.


In the Pitch Session, I'll have a chance to present my work to an agent. In the new publishing world, an agent's role is changing, but I think there are still many times when an author with an agent is in a stronger position that one without.  At the very least, it will give me practice in promoting my work!


In the Blue Pencil appointment I can bring three pages (only three?  How can I pick which three?) to a professional and have them review it.  I am torn about this.  What if our styles don't match? What if she thinks it is trite and cliche? Pitching an idea seems much less nerve-wracking than actually showing someone my work in progress.


Regardless of what happens, I'm sure the weekend will give me much to think about and endless opportunities to grow as an writer.  I can't wait!