Do you bring any MS's?

[tesspup]

Hi! Is it customary to carry copies of your manusript(s) to writer's conferences? I wasn't sure....I assume guest editors do not ask for them on the spot, but perhaps they do? Anything I should bring besides a notebook for taking notes? Thanks :)

[Bartholomew]

Well, it is probably customary to bring your work to the hotel room so that the nights aren't wasted...

There's always something to edit. ^_^

[RhinoMom]

I brought my ms to both conferences I attended this year. I brought it because I had done the "advance submission" option, where conference attendees could send the first 20 pages of their ms to an editor or agent advance reader.

I sent a portion of my ms one month in advance to an agent, then met with the agent at the conference for feedback. At that conference, b/c there was interaction b/w agents, editors and writers, it made sense to bring the ms.

In any case, I say always bring the ms. It will be there if you want to work on it if the inspiration hits and conferences also may have "read and critique" sessions where you will get a chance to read it aloud.

Debbie

[Soccer Mom]

Bring cards with your name and contact information on them. If you hit it off with someone, it's an easy way to network.

[spike]

Ok, what would you put on the business card? The title of your book? just your name and addy?

[peevy]

I went to a conference once where they announced that they had an unexpected opportunity for interested writers to submit a partial for critiquing (this was in addition to the crtiques they offered ahead of time where you had to mail a partial before the conference started). Luckily, I had something with me, so I submitted it and got some interesting feedback.

I can't really see anyone wanting to look at or hold on to an entire ms, but it couldn't hurt to bring a partial.