National Poetry Convention

I went to the National Poetry Convention in Oklahoma City a week ago. I actually alternated between it and SoonerCON, a science fiction convention. (More on sf cons another day.)

The average age of attendees at the NPC is probably around 75. Some poets there were, literally, in their 90's. So, as you can guess, there is talk of how to bring in younger poets.

It's gonna be hard to do, though, when the poets there are quick to look down on newcomers to their venue. I suggested poetry slams, and youth contests, and other open mic events like Poets in the Park, which is something my poetry organisation does. Eyes glazed over at the mention of the slams. They don't think that is real or good poetry. (Sigh.)

And then there was this...

I arrived at an awkward time, I guess. They'd made really nice laminated badges at home. But didn't have "on the spot" badges, so I paid and went in, and had a badge nazi ask me what I was doing in there without one. I said, "Well, I paid for the conference but they didn't have the kind you can just write your name on. They said they'd have one for me tomorrow."

To me, it was no biggie. But, a badge nazi caught my husband who was outside in the hall milling around. In the hall of a hotel, mind you. Not far from the restroom, not IN the convention meeting. And he was distinctly made unwelcome--to the point where he came and got me and said, "I don't care if you paid for this, we're leaving."

How sad is that? So, I didn't go back the next day. I did go on Sunday and complained about that whole thing. The "powers that be" were terribly gracious and sweet and apologetic.

The thing was...before I went, I had run into a lot of poets who said they would never go back because they felt like an outsider, unwelcome, etc. I pshawed that, and went to see for myself.

Now, I'm just stubborn enough to go back and make them accept me. To read poetry so great that they can't help but acknowledge me as an up and coming, nationally noticed poet. I mean, I have a poetry collection that I won publishing contract to because I competed in an international competition with 1500 competitors. I've had three poetry books released this year--and none self-published. Although there is no negative stigma about poets self-publishing...a fact that was obvious at the national convention. Chapbooks abounded, homemade. So, if you have some, feel free to take them and set them up there in the book store they offer.

My big point here is not to complain, but to say, "Take pride in who you are. Know that you are good at what you do because you gain confidence the more you learn and the more you display your talents and see what your competition is. Don't let someone belittle you, or make you feel unwelcome, especially at a convention because a single person does not represent the whole. And you can make a difference if you persevere, if you buck up and insist people take you seriously."

I have every intention of going back to the National Poetry Convention, and to contribute to poetry awareness on that level. Feeling a little like Norma Rae here. I can make the world pay attention if I scream loud enough.

NO ONE has the right to make you feel like an outsider at a convention. Those who do don't get the concept of a convention--it is for people with a common interest to come together, and to discuss how to spread the word of appreciation about their topic. It is to help the individuals improve their craft (or whatever) and to find comeraderie.

That said, I believe that a party is only as fun as the people at it. If you're not having a great time, maybe you need to do something to improve that.

And people can only belittle you if you let them. I say, "Don't let people get away with that."

The badge nazi? I chatted with her until she softened and got nice. I would have stayed the first night if my husband hadn't been so offended.

This is sort of funny (in a bad way). I stood up to read a poem. It's the one that won me a poetry publishing contract. I didn't get a chance to say that. I introduced myself, saying, "I've been the president of Missouri Poets and Friends the last couple years. My name is Jennifer DiCamillo and this poem is titled Sunset in San Diego and is written in twelve syllable lines."

I took a breath, ready to start the poem and the old lady running the show was rude to me. She said, "We don't need to hear your life story. Just read your poem."

It was horribly offensive. But, I understand they don't have time for everyone to chat before their reading. So, I repeated the title and read the darn thing then went and sat down.

The next poet (the badge nazi) got up and started by saying that she'd talked about her daughter and grandbaby being in the hospital and everyone would be glad to know that they were released and on their way home. That had nothing to do with the poem she chose to read.

Now, I sat there, thinking...the old lady didn't shut her down. What's up with that?

What was up was...I was an outsider. They had all been going to the convention for years and years. I was brand new. I had not "earned" their respect.

It's wrong to see that sort of bologna, but it is how it works at the big conventions. Most conventions, in fact, have regulars--some that have come every year since the convention's inception. If you know that before you go, you can steel yourself against that sort of snobbery and bad behavior. You can expect it and deal with it when it comes.

If you're an old timer/regular, and you read this, you can take the message back to your group--this sort of snobbery to newer convention goers has to end. It is rude and unacceptable, even if it is common practice. That's why many conventions have the average age of attendees as over 60, or 70.

You have to welcome the newcomers. I'm in my early 40's and it is very sad that I'm one of the youngest goers to almost all writing conventions that I attend.

More on the BEA (Book Expo America)

I drove to the Book Expo for one specific reason. I weighed the costs. I could haul more value in books home, after paying gas, food and motel for the extra days in travel than the cost of a plane ticket and shipment for books.

The one drawback was that I had to carry (heave?) those bags and bags of books out, and to the car.

The convention centers that are big enough to hold events with thousands of booths are huge. Walking from the front door to the booths is a long distance for people with back, feet or leg problems. Carrying the books on top of that is a horrid task, imo. You can take a rolling suitcase, but you have to check it in, leave it, and carry books to it--which can still be a distance to go.

Healthy, fit people don't have to worry about the hiking, I guess, but I'm getting old and appreciate shorter distances to parking areas, and curb service. A cab, or driver who can bring the car to the door is a Godsend, if you can afford that, or have someone who loves you enough to do that, or help with the hauling of your booty (free books)--I totally recommend that.

There are plenty of free book bags to haul stuff away in at the BEA, so that isn't a problem. It's not like you have to carry in a ton of those.

However, the more you haul out, the pickier you get about what you're willing to carry. Three days of that, and your arms, legs and back become decidedly stoped out if you aren't careful. Be sure and wear comfortable, well fitting shoes. I can't stress that enough. And take lots of cash. The drinks ($2 and up?) and foods there are not cheap.

As a writer, the one reason I felt it important to take books was because I wanted to know what a specific publisher liked, so I could get a feel for the flavors they published. If you consider that, you might advance your writing. I think about that every time I read a book. I learn, also, from the turns of phraseology in description and action that other writers use.

Book Expo America

I went to the book expo in Chicago a couple of years ago, and to New York too. That's an experience every writer, agent, editor, and publisher should try once.

I found the deal eye-opening. SO many publishers out there. So many books. So many writers. I saw what I didn't want to be, and what I DID want to be. I saw many marketing concepts and promo ideas. Things to do. Things not to do.

You can see how a publisher handles themselves, and markets. You can make contacts, and ask them what they need. If you go, DO THIS. Give your business card, take theirs.

Wear clothes that are comfortable but not sloppy. No need to wear business attire, but make sure your shoes are comfortable for walking miles of aisles.

Word to the wise, it is almost impossible to SELL books there. Most books are given away as promo by the publishers. Great place to give out post cards and business cards, though. Definitely drop some in the librarian sitting area.

And know this, if you send cards or promo items with someone, the leftovers will likely be thrown away at the end of the deal because no one wants to haul them out. Books are left in piles on the last day. Books are given away--as many as you can carry out. They have a shipping center, but it's not cheap. It does allow you to not have to carry them out, though.

The most important thing besides contacts at the expo is the Expo Guide. It lists every publisher that has a booth, and their current mailing address. Those are free with some passes in, $40 or so if you don't have the right pass, and free, sitting in piles when the deal is over, if you wait until the last hour. Definitely worth getting that, if nothing else.

More about conferences?

A fellow writer (children's books) told me she didn't get much from writer's conferences and thinks they are a total waste of money. I found it interesting that she's speaking at two this year. LOL Be careful what you say aloud in front of writing folks because they remember and see the forked tongue.

But then, maybe she listened up when I said, "If you don't get anything from a conference, it's you, not the con. You need to change your attitude, for one, and go expecting to learn something, and then putting yourself out there enough to meet the people who are there to teach you."

Truth is, you can learn from the worst writer. From them, you glean what NOT to do.

I go to a lot of writer's conferences. I go to different ones for different reasons. I actually try to learn something from all of them.

I learn how others promote their books and their selves. And make no mistake, after you write what you write, and finish it, and get it into book form, YOU MUST PUT IT OUT THERE. Even if you have a great publisher that does many things on your behalf, you must sell that book, but more importantly, you must sell yourself.

Putting bookmarks, business cards, and postcards out is the easiest thing. Many conferences have goody bags and you can get your stuff in those, or on a freebie/handout table.

You have tons of opportunities to hand them out personally, too. So, go to conferences thinking "How can I introduce myself?"

What? You aren't published yet? Still, you need to have business cards. Hand them out by the thousands. Tuck them in books at stores. Eventually, people will know your name. And when they see a book by you, they will at least give it a glance.

Science Fiction Conventions