I made a last-minute decision heading to the most recent writer’s conference I attended. I’d planned to take my classy, professional, sleek gray backpack that I’d purchased to replace the original purple one I mentioned in an earlier episode. 

As I loaded it, I realized that to stay fortified, I needed to carry snacks and lunch each day—maybe even dinner—and it wouldn’t all squeeze into the professional-looking slim gray bag. I needed a bigger backpack. I dug around in my closet and found an older, different, ridiculously large purple backpack that I use for long trips. 

It wasn’t professional-looking at all, but my lunches would fit just right, so I showed up at this much anticipated writing festival with a purple backpack after all, and podcast listeners attending the conference would stop me. 

They’d heard the episode about planning and packing for a writing event. They’d shout, “The purple backpack!” and I’d say, “You’re a listener!” and we’d have a great time talking about writing. 

So that’s my first of 15 tips, some of which are super practical, like this one…

Tip #1: Make sure your bag is big enough

Test your bag to ensure it’s big enough to hold all the things you plan to carry with you each day plus whatever swag you collect along the way…even if you’re not going to look as professional as you’d like.

And don’t worry if your bag is a bit odd. People really do recognize you in a crowd if you have a memorable bag, purple or otherwise.

Tip #2: Tuck your business cards behind your name tag

Someone shared this pro tip with me years ago: When you go up to the registration table, you’ll get a name tag attached to a lanyard. Pull out five or six business cards and tuck them behind your conference-designed name tag in the plastic holder clipped to the lanyard, facing out. 

1. When the tag inevitably spins around, people can always see your name—one side is your name on the conference-designed name tag; the other, if it flips around, will show the front of your own business card. 


2. Your cards will be convenient to slip out and hand to someone without fumbling around in a bag.


3. You can tuck other people’s business cards behind yours when you swap to avoid losing them; at the end of each day, pull out other people’s cards, add their names to your contacts app, and replenish your own cards for the next day.

Tip #3: Decide which sessions to attend

If you haven’t already, plan which sessions you want to attend and mark those in your conference binder.

I choose sessions featuring industry experts I want to learn from or people I admire. This could be authors or publishing house representatives like a marketing executive or an acquisitions editor.

Circle the sessions you think are ideal for you. 

But…

Tip #4: Stay open to adapting the plan

Making a plan but staying flexible can help you feel less rigid, more open to serendipity. Or as Laura Fabrycky suggested I share with you, “Stay open to interruptions and sheer surprises.”

One morning at a recent conference, I planned to attend poet Christian Wiman’s session. In fact, I’d made tentative plans to meet up with a friend. I needed to allow a five- to ten-minute walk from the main gathering area.

As I was making tea, I got to talking with authors Summer Joy Gross and Lori Melton. Summer’s book was about to be released and we had not seen each other in person for several years. Then Lori and I connected at a conference years ago and we were enjoying these moments to catch up.

We were deep into the conversation when I looked at my watch and realized there was no way I would make it to see Chris Wiman—or I’d have to slip in late. 

Summer asked, “Are you going to the Madeleine L’Engle session?” 

“What do you mean the Madeleine L’Engle session?”

“Her granddaughter’s speaking about an unpublished book. It’s in this building in the Board Room.” Well, that I could make on time.

I had read the conference schedule, but somehow it didn’t sink in who Charlotte Jones Voiklis was, so I followed Summer and Lori to the session, texted my friend that I’d lost track of time, and ended up loving every minute. I’m glad I stayed open to “sheer surprises.”

Thankfully, the friend who attended Chris’s session said it was just what she needed.

Another time I went to the wrong room and ended up in a session other than the one I intended. But it, too, provided me with just what I needed. 

We can make our plans, but it’s okay to alter those plans—especially if we choose an opportunity that presents itself that leads to rewarding interactions and unexpected outcomes. Even mishaps and miscalculations can yield surprising results—the “wrong” room may turn out to be the “right” room.

Tip #5: Say “Hi” to at least one person

Writers can be dreadfully shy. Challenge yourself to say hello to the person next to you in each session. That person may be as nervous as you are, but this is a big reason to attend these events—to meet people.

Who knows? Maybe they’ll become famous later. You might meet a writing friend or connect with someone who becomes an endorser of a book you’ll release in a couple of years. Be brave and say hello.

If you chat for a few minutes and it seems appropriate, hand that person a business card and invite them to stay in touch.

Tip #6: Ask “What one specific question will I ask?”

When you’re in a session, listen closely, take excellent notes. If you’re new to publishing, write down terminology that’s new to you so you can look it up later.

As you’re listening, think to yourself, If there’s a Q&A…

What one specific question will I ask?

This question should be based on what they just said, demonstrating you were listening intently—that you truly care about what they were saying—and you’d like them to elaborate on something, or clarify a point.

Make this question short, specific, and different enough that it’s not an obvious question that anyone might ask.

And make sure you really want to know the answer.

Write down your question.

Tip #7: Ask your one question
Option A: Ask in front of everyone

Usually at the end of a talk, the audience gets to ask questions. 

Depending on the size of the room, the organizer might pass around a microphone, or audience members walk up to a microphone on a stand and wait in line to ask their questions. If the room is small, audience members might just raise their hands and speak up so everyone in the room can hear them. 

Good thing you’ll follow through with Tip #6 and write down your question, because you might get nervous and worry that you’re going to fumble. 

Let’s say they call on people in the crowd.

Raise your hand. 

When they call on you, stand up (this makes it easier for people to hear and see you).

If the organizers set out a mic on a stand, go to it. Wait in line.

When it’s your turn, state your full name. “Hi, I’m Ann Kroeker.” What this does is it puts a name with your face. Later, they may remember Ann Kroeker, the person who asked that question…and carried a purple backpack.

Don’t add a preamble or spend a lot of time thanking them. After you introduce yourself, simply smile and ask the question.

Option B: Ask after the talk at the front of the room

In some instances, there’s no Q&A but you might have an opportunity to go down to the front and interact with the speaker after the talk.

If they seem open to chatting with people, head down there with your question in hand. If others are milling around, shaking hands, asking questions, watch for your chance—don’t be too scared or shy.

Introduce yourself.

Ask the question. 

Have your business card at the ready in case they ask (which is easy enough if it’s in your plastic name tag holder, right?). 

If no one else is waiting and the speaker doesn’t seem to be in a hurry, you could, maybe, continue chatting because sometimes your question leads the conversation in a certain direction and they have a story to tell you or advice to give. 

Now you’re more than a random audience member. Now you’re one literary person chatting with another.

This is one of the many things that is magic about in-person events.

Option C: Ask your question if you bump into them

There may be many reasons you didn’t get to ask your question during the session.

Maybe they didn’t offer a Q&A. Or they did but you didn’t get a chance to ask your question before everyone else did. Or maybe the speaker rushed off to their next appointment. You may still have a chance.

Faculty are brought into these events to offer input, to give their talks, to encourage writers, to answer questions. Sometimes they’re sitting at a lunch table and th