What's it like to be a first timer at an RNA Conference? I thought I'd ask this question to friend and fellow writer, Susan Griffin. who attended this year's conference at Harper Adams University. Susan is a member of the RNA New Writers' Scheme.
This
was your first RNA conference, Sue. What made you decide to go?
I was keen to meet other Facebook writers and to get
to know more about the publishing industry and how it works.
You’ve
been back from the conference a week now. Looking back, what was the highlight
of your weekend?
The highlight of the conference was my two one-to-one
pitches which I found really helpful.
Tell
me a little about how it felt to be a ‘first timer’ and what was done to make
you to feel welcome?
I immediately felt part of the whole conference
experience despite being a first timer as soon as I arrived. Everyone was very
helpful and friendly and there was a welcome drinks get together, in the lovely
Kate Thomson’s kitchen. This helped me to connect with other first timers and break
the ice.
A
big part of the RNA conference is the one-to-one sessions with industry
professionals. I know you took advantage of a couple of these. How did you
prepare for them?
I prepared by writing notes on the novel I was
pitching to the agents. This included key things about the novel I was likely
to get asked, and anything I felt they needed to know about me. I also noted down a
couple of questions I wanted to ask them.
I’m
guessing you were nervous before your sessions. Do you have any hints for first
timers on how to remain calm?
I did feel nervous about my one-to-ones and felt the best
way to overcome this was to be well prepared.
The
talks and workshops were many and various. If you could pick out two that were
particularly helpful to you, which would they be?
The two workshops I found most helpful were: Playing
with Time in Romantic Fiction, by Pia Fenton and Anna Belfrage, and Building
Characters from the inside out, by Fiona Harper.
You’ve
told us about the business side of things, what about the social aspect? As a
first timer, was it daunting being with so many other writers?
It was good to meet with other writers I’ve only
communicated with before through Facebook or Twitter. I enjoyed chatting to
them and hearing about their publishing experiences.
Any
tips on what to take with you?
Coffee and tea are provided so I took milk, snacks and
my favourite tipple of Gin & Tonic (essential). Other than that,
comfortable clothes and a dress for the Gala dinner is all you need.
Did
this year’s conference, make you want to go to another?
Yes it did and I fully intend to go to the conference
again next year in Leeds.
What is the main thing you’ve taken back from the RNA
conference 2017?
A
better idea of the way the publishing industry works and some very valuable
feedback from the literary agent Felicity Trew.
Any tips for first timers thinking of going to the
2018 conference in Leeds?
Don’t
feel worried about attending the conference, even if you’re thinking of going
on your own. There is so much you can learn and experience while there, you’ll
come away full of enthusiasm for your writing and with added knowledge about
the whole industry.
Contact Susan:
Twitter @suegriffinwriter
Susan's novel, Bird in a Gilded Cage can be bought at Amazon
