Five Tips for Talking to an Agent or an Editor at a Conference

Tip 1: Listen. It was easy to see when I met with writers as a literary agent that many were nervous. They wouldn't always respond to what I'd said and would often rush to compliment or flatter me. By listening and responding directly to what the editor or agent has said, you'll forge a real connection.

Tip 2: Know and Follow the Meeting's Pitching Parameters. Are you allowed to ask if you can query? Or is this explicitly forbidden? Most conferences I went to had clear parameters around when pitching is allowed. Know and follow them.

Tip 3: Short, Quippy Book Description. Work out a short, quippy description of your book (think four sentences at most) before your meeting. It will help keep the conversation on track and maybe even tease them into asking for more information.

Tip 4: Ask Industry Questions. Consider asking publishing questions beyond, "Will you publish my book?" As a literary agent, I loved being able to help people with questions about formatting and trends. You might want to preface such a query with, "Would you be willing to answer a question I have about publishing in general, not about my manuscript?"

Tip 5: Take Notes Afterwards. Take notes after the meeting so you retain all the information exchanged. The agent or editor might tell you a time they'll be out of the office, which could affect when you send a submission. Or you might bond over something like a favorite TV show—a detail you can mention in the first line of a query to them, to jog their memory of the conversation.