2017 Agents & Editors Conference  
Update 6/26/17- FINAL DETAILS AND WHAT TO BRING
We're just a few days away from the literary fun-fest that is the 2017 Agents & Editors Conference. Here are some last reminders and tips for you as you prepare for the weekend ahead. 
  • If you have booked a room at the conference venue, the Hyatt Regency (208 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704) through our group block, please remember that official check-in time is 4 pm and check-out time is 11 am. Wifi in your guest room is included, and you will also receive a discounted parking rate that should be reflected on your bill. (We recommend you remind the hotel of this at check-in.)
  • At this time, we've closed ticket sales for the Saturday Keynote Luncheon and the RSVP list for the Sunday Closing Luncheon. Registration for these two events will be re-opened at check-in if space allows. 
  • Conference registration/check-in opens at 11:00am on Friday, Big Bend A-C, First Floor, Hyatt.
  • Registration will close at 5:00pm. If you arrive after that time, you'll be able to pick up your badge and other conference welcome materials anytime after the WLT table opens at 8:00 am on Saturday (Texas Foyer, 2nd Floor).
Please take the time to look over the additional information provided below. If you have questions, please contact us as soon as possible. Our offices will be closed beginning at noon on Thursday, June 29, in order for us to set up for the conference.
What to Bring
Proof of purchase. We do our best to avoid mistakes, but having your proof of purchase (the confirmation email you received when you registered or purchased) for any events or add-ons (including: your conference registration and the two luncheons) will help us to make check-in run smoothly; please do bring these with you if at all possible.
 
Consultation confirmation emails. If you're scheduled for any one-on-one consultations with agents or editors, you should have received an email detailing your appointment times. We ask that you bring this printed email with you; we'll ask you about this when you check-in, so please make every effort to have this email on hand. (If you haven't recent an email from us with details, call us ASAP.) 
 
Note-taking materials, such as pens, paper, or a fully-charged laptop or tablet (we can't guarantee you'll be able to find an available outlet to recharge during sessions; make sure your devices are charged!). Your conference program comes with several blank pages for notes, and there will be a pen in your welcome bag. 
 
Business cards, if you have them, to hand out to professionals and fellow writers.
 
Layers. A light sweater, blazer, or hoodie can come in handy if you find the indoor AC too chilly.  (Texas in the summer: hot outside, cold inside!)
What to Do
Look over our full schedule and plan your days. (Check out the program
here.) Be sure to have back-up options in case your first session choice is full.

Choose your Friday afternoon genre sessions. (Find them in the program.) We hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity to get some tips from experienced writers and publishing professionals about pitching books within your particular genre.
 
Practice your pitch! Even if you don't have a private consultation, there will be plenty of opportunities to discuss your book with agents and editors between sessions, during breaks, and at the evening receptions. Our Friday afternoon Pitch Lab (3:30 pm in Foothills II, 17th Floor) is your chance to practice your pitch on fellow attendees ahead of the Welcome Reception (which starts at 4:30 pm, Texas Ballroom, 2nd Floor).
 
Double-check your consultation times. Pay special attention to whether the consultation is on Saturday or Sunday. Plan to arrive at your consultation on time (and no more than 15 minutes early). If you have a consultation scheduled for 10 am on Saturday, you'll want to leave the opening General Session a little early, so plan accordingly by sitting close to the door and keeping track of time.
Meet the Writers' League Staff:
Look for These Friendly Faces at
the Conference.
Becka Oliver
Executive Director
"If you're in a panel and feeling like the thing you want to know isn't being discussed, ask a question! Take every opportunity to get as much as you can out of the conference."


Michael Noll
Program Director

"Treat every panel and every conversation as a learning experience. The more you talk about your book and ask questions about other people's work, the easier it gets and the more natural you feel while doing it."


Jordan Smith
Member Services Manager

"Everyone is so nice--and also a little bit nervous. Don't let the butterflies in your stomach stop you from introducing yourself to agents, editors, authors, and other attendees!"


Kelsey Williams
Administrative Assistant

"Stop by the Barnes & Noble table between panels when authors are signing books. It's a great opportunity to ask a bestseller or award winner about their work and their path to publication."
Don't Forget
Find 20 great tips for making the conference a success here.

Find a long list of frequently asked questions here.

Send your questions for the Opening Session's conversation with Writers' League of Texas Executive Director Becka Oliver and Carrie Thornton, Editorial Director at Dey Street Books (and Amy Poehler's editor) to [email protected] by Monday, June 26. To read more about Carrie, click here.

To get a sneak peak at the program, click here.

Remember, you can also call us at 512-499-8914 anytime!
What to Do in Austin
Want to spend your non-conference time enjoying the sights of Austin? Here are some suggestions:
For more suggestions, ask the Hyatt's friendly concierge or any WLT staffer. And h ave fun!


This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department. Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com.

 
Writers' League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts - Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to  www.arts.texas.gov .  
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