Earlier this week I got my acceptance letter to attend the 2010 Rutgers One-on-One Plus Conference.
I was very excited because one of my goals this year was to get accepted to this conference. I went in 2006 and it was fabulous so I can’t wait to return.
And even better, a member of my critique group and another good writer friend also got accepted so it’ll be good to know some familiar faces. Of course being Southern and never meeting a stranger — wouldn’t have been too much of a problem for me anyway. Ha.
Just like I shared some tips on the application process, I wanted to share some things that I learned attending the 2006 conference:
Do your research. The council has posted a list of the 2010 Rutgers mentors participating in the conference. Find out which mentors on the list may be a good match for your project. This way you can make the best use of your time since you’ll have the opportunity to mingle and talk.
Get to the campus early. In 2006, when another member of my critique group and I went (my critique group ROCKS), we got there too late and didn’t get a chance to mingle. So get there before 9:30 just so you can mingle with other mentees but you’ll also have time to do this later.
Have your questions ready. One great part of the conference is the “Five-on-Five,” which is a round table discussion of topics related to writing and the industry. I didn’t have any questions ready and kicked myself later for it.
Bring other materials. The point of the conference is not to get a line edit of your submission. You’ll have about 45 minutes with your mentor. If you have a query letter and/or a synopsis, it may be a good idea to bring them to review. Also if you have a couple of chapters or another PB, it wouldn’t hurt to bring them just in case. But don’t bring a whole novel manuscript. Don’t miss an opportunity to get some valuable feedback.
Have fun. Most of all, have fun at the conference. Be sure to mingle with all of the mentors and other writers. Everyone is very friendly. Don’t think you can’t talk to any of the agents and editors. Be sure to have some cards that you can give to people to keep in touch.
I’m really excited about going to Rutgers this year. Are any of you attending? If so, please let me know. I would love to meet you!
Rutgers Bound
August 25, 2010 Read Comments
I’m so jealous. Have fun!
Oh I’m so happy to get to celebrate for you. That makes two of my good buddies who are going. Between the two of you I should feel as if I was there too. Maybe next year will be my year. I’ll email you my friends name and then you guys can get together and talk about how fab I am!!!!
Sounds like a fantastic time! I hope you enjoy every moment!
This is so cool! I’m anxious to hear about it all when you return. I have to say, I’ve never heard of this event. Yes, I live under a rock. Have fun!
Karen,
Congratulations!!! I know you have worked hard to receive this invitation and I am very proud of you. I am sure you will enjoy your trip and I look forward to all of the information you will share when you return. :-)
Now, if you see Avery Brooks walking around, please give him a hug for me. He is a tenured professor at Rutgers and periodically shows up at different events. Why do I know so much about Rutgers? I was once accepted and then dropped from the enrollment list due to an over admittance. One of my first experiences with joy and pain at the same time. Ha!
Have fun and by all means, mingle!
Tiana and Jemi: Thanks guys. It’s going to be a good experience.
Jeannine: Ha, me and your friend will talk about how AWESOME you are.
Julie: You should really look into this conference, it’s really great!
Sherry: Wow, I didn’t know that you were accepted to Rutgers. My uncle graduated from there and he said that it was a great school.