Frequently Asked Questions

14. If there is a problem with my hotel accommodation when I arrive, will RWA help me?

All accommodation issues are handled directly by the hotel staff. Aside from reserving a block of rooms big enough for the projected number of attendees, unfortunately RWA does not have the authority to do anything about correcting errors made in the type, size, or location of your room. If the desk clerk is unable to help you, ask to speak to a manager. With so many people arriving at the same time, there may be an occasional mix-up, but the staff at the hotel is there to serve its customers. Don’t be afraid to ask.

15. My roommate got sick/canceled at the last minute! What do I do?

If you get into this unfortunate situation, your best options are to find some friends who might be able to squeeze you into their room, thus reducing their per-night hotel cost. Or check out the RWAOrg link to see if there is anyone else who might have had the same problem, or who decided to go at the last minute, who will share the room with you.

16. How many meals are included with my conference fee?

• The conference features the following meals as part of the conference registration:
• Thursday: Keynote Luncheon
• Friday: Continental breakfast, Awards Luncheon
• Saturday: Continental breakfast, RITA/Golden Heart Awards Gala

17. Will the hotel make special dietary accommodations?

Most major hotels serving groups as large as ours will make accommodations if a person is diabetic, vegetarian, or vegan. Due to the size of the group attending the national conference, other individual meals are not available at RWA catered events.

18. Will I be on my own to find seating at the RWA meals?

There is always plenty of seating, though it’s not always easy to find your friends in the crowd. But whether you’re with friends or traveling alone, this is a great chance to meet new people and "network." Don’t pass it up! If you see an empty seat, ask the others at the table if it’s available. Three good ice-breaker questions are: Where are you from? What do you write? Have you been to a good workshop? By the end of the meal, you may be exchanging business cards or maybe even hooking up with a long-distance critique partner!

19. How many appointments are available? Will I be certain to meet with my first choice?

Editor and agent appointments are very limited. Your odds of meeting with your first choice of either are not high. Individual appointments are reserved first for Golden Heart Finalists. If your primary reason for attending the national conference is to meet with an editor or agent, your chances are much better at a smaller, local conference.

20. Which is better, group or individual appointments?

This can vary widely depending on the person with whom you’ll be meeting. An individual appointment is like a visual query letter, one in which you put your face to the name of the author and the title of the book, in hopes that the editor or agent will request to see your manuscript. It can also be a very intimidating experience, though keep in mind that the person is there to meet people with projects to sell -- like you. Still, if you find the thought of a one-on-one intimidating, a group appointment is a good way to get answers to common questions about what the editor or agent likes and what they’re looking for. In either case, you may be requested to send your full manuscript, so it is a wonderful opportunity to make a valuable contact.

21. Can I request an appointment for a book I am just starting/still working on, so I can get an idea if this is a project that would sell before I finish it?

You must have a completed manuscript in order to request an editor / agent appointment. Due to the limited slots available, not to mention the limits on their time, it is important that the editors and agents connect with writers with a project that is ready for them to review.

22. What do I do if I have requested an appointment, and then decide that I don’t want it?

Appointments can be canceled up to 48 hours before, and the appointment will be reassigned to someone else. If you change your mind prior to the conference, contact the RWA office. If you find you have an appointment you don’t want once you have arrived at the conference, go to the RWA Registration Desk, which will be set up in the hotel during the conference.

23. Will I be able to sign up for any appointments when I arrive at the conference?

There will be a very, very limited number of appointments available on site, mainly those who were assigned to someone who decided afterwards they did not wish to take it. You will need to check with the RWA Registration Desk at the conference for availability, where appointments will be offered on a first come, first served basis as they become available. This may change from hour to hour, so you should check back frequently.

24. Can I talk to an editor or agent, even if I don’t have any appointment, maybe if I see them at a meal or pass them in the hall?

Editors and agents attend the national conference for several reasons, though mainly to do business! They want to meet with each other, meet with their clients who are otherwise spread all over the country -- or the world -- and look for new authors / clients. It’s okay to speak to them at workshops and meals, but you should never intrude if an editor or agent is clearly having a private conversation with someone. Passing in the hall or sharing a line is probably not an appropriate time to pitch a book.

25. Should I bring my manuscript, in case an editor or agent wants to see it?

You should never, ever, bring a manuscript with you in the hopes of passing it on to an editor or agent. They will not want to take it from you at that time. If they picked up full manuscripts from authors at conference, they would need a second or third suitcase just to get them all home. If an editor or agent wishes to see your book, they will most likely give you a business card and direct you to send it to them at their office, after the conference.

26. How do I prepare for an appointment?

First of all, do it well ahead of time. Jot down the highlights of your characters, plot, conflict, and resolution. Then practice -- with your critique partner, your husband, the woman next to you on the plane -- so you’re well-versed in your pitch by the time you sit down in front of the agent or editor. One plan for the eight minute appointment is to allot four minutes for your pitch, and four minutes for questions. You might also prepare a few notes about other projects you’ve done or you’re planning, and why you want to work with this agency or publisher.

27. How will I know what workshops apply to me and which I should attend?

A listing of workshops will be printed in the RWR several months prior to the conference. When you register for the conference, you will receive a tote bag full of information, including a complete conference and workshop schedule and lengthy descriptions of each, including the type of workshop and information on the speaker presenting the workshop.

28. What do I do if there are two workshops at the same time that I want to attend?

This happens to everyone. The good news is that there are tapes of many of the workshops available, in case there was one you just loved, or there are two that you’d like to attend being given at the same time. If you have to make a choice, you might want to examine the descriptions to see if one sounds as though it might be more "hands-on," in which case you could attend that one and buy the tape of the other. Or, you can attend one and ask a friend to attend the other, and exchange notes. Or, you can ask to see if anyone has ever attended a workshop by either of those speakers and can help you decide which would be more valuable to you.