Hurry, save $50!
Registration is open for the 2019 Colorado Gold Conference. If you haven’t yet registered, get to it—you’ll be so glad you did! One reason: the conference price goes up by $50 on July 31. Beat that date and save.
If you’re already registered, welcome! This year’s conference has a powerful lineup of literary agents and editors who are actively acquiring all genres of commercial fiction. It will be hard to choose from the lively variety of workshops, master classes, and services this year! Read on so you can get the most from the conference, whether this is your first conference or the next of many.
Conquer that lost-in-the-crowd feeling
This year’s conference is chock-full of new features. The number of master classes has increased, and the workshops offer an impressive array of craft and marketing topics. As the conference continues to expand its offerings, it can be a lot to absorb.
Whether you’re a newbie or, like me, you’ve attended two decades of conferences, there’s an easy way to stay on top of things. Here are two opportunities for you to get your bearings and prepare for a stress-free conference that delivers just what you need/want to get out of it.
Kevin Wolf’s first-timer meeting
If you’re a first-timer, let me congratulate you! You’re in for a great time. I’ll never forget the rush of excitement, information, and help I received at my first conference. If you have identified yourself as a first-timer, you should receive a welcome letter from Kevin inviting you to this meeting. Here you’ll meet the RMFW president and conference chairs. You’ll also get a wealth of information: how to find your way around, book sales, workshops, where and when to purchase recordings of the workshops you attended or couldn’t attend due to your schedule. (My tip: order Sunday morning to avoid the delay of having them shipped.)
This is your chance to dispel any first-time jitters and sail through your conference schedule with confidence and new friends. Join the fun on Friday at noon in the Vail meeting room, atrium level.
Terri Benson’s conference survival secrets
At this workshop you’ll learn about the new programs and services being offered. Master classes. Schedule changes. Good places to meet people. Special invitations for solo diners at the Friday dinner. Last-minute schedule changes. Terri will answer all your questions about editor/agent protocol, how to prep for appointments, how to pace yourself—all to help make your conference experience all it can be. Be there Friday at 1 p.m. in the Vail room, Atrium level.
Meet the Ask Me crew
Should you find yourself lost or in need of information, look for RMFW members wearing gold armbands. It’s not a fashion statement—the bands identify friendly volunteers who will help you find your way around, more easily network and make new friends, and take advantage of all that this nationally respected conference has to offer.
Feel free to ask them questions. Where are the editor/agent meetings held? What time does the book sale begin? Where is the bookstore? Where do I go to buy an extra meal ticket for the Saturday dinner? Where can I grab a sandwich? They’ll point you in the right direction.
They’re the Ask Me crew, and you can meet them at Kevin Wolf’s first-time attendee meeting at noon Friday and Terri Benson’s Conference Survival Secrets workshop at 1:00 Friday. Both of these sessions are in the Vail meeting room, atrium level. They will also circulate throughout the conference.
Get ready for the silent auction
Intake volunteers have received an exciting variety of donated items for the silent auction, and all proceeds go to the 2020 Colorado Gold scholarship fund. The auction display area will be across from the conference registration desk, near the escalators. If you wish to bid on an item, place a bid on its bid sheet. Then check back from time to time to see if you need to raise your bid. Bidding closes at the start of the Saturday evening banquet. Auction winners will be announced prior to the keynote address, and they must claim their items that evening.
This year’s items include such treasures as:
- Critique of your query or manuscript pages from one of five agents and editors
- Writerly goody bags
- Gift baskets in themes like gardening, wine and books, tea and relaxation, spices, and more
Auction items continue to arrive, so be sure to check the display area for updates. All proceeds benefit next year’s conference scholarship fund.
Coming in my August blog…more conference 411! More tips and info on the new conference app.