Disclaimer: (I love disclaimers!)When I first started my published career, I had much to learn other than writing. (I'm still learning a lot, so I'm not the ultimate resource, but these tips may help you.)

Conference Clothes and Personal Insights

Personal Tidbit: I was published prior to joining RWA, so attending that first conference in Dallas, TX was thoroughly scary. For one thing, my Cait Logan Second Chance Books were already on the shelves. This was fine, I thought, so happy to be published. But I had no idea that my little books had hit a national market and had snagged a readership, who might actually recognize the name. I didn't know about RT, and had no contact with other romance writers. So in scoping out my first national conference--and I hadn't been to any other writer conferences--I bought a 3-piece black suit (my day job clothes were casual, no suits), and tried to look inconspicuous as I surveyed this new exciting world. Did not know a person; did not know that other people actually read my books. My name badge in place, I stepped out of that Dallas hotel elevator, prepared to be very quiet and observant. Someone saw my name badge, and asked me if I was Cait Logan. When I responded, about 4-5 people standing near the elevator rushed toward me. "You're Cait Logan?" they asked.

 

Terrified that I had done something wrong, I stepped back against the closed elevator door. (Thank goodness it was closed.) So that was my first brush as a published author with readers; I was already published and a novice at national conferences.

 

I was actually mortified when my first editor, Joan Marlow Golan, came into a workshop. She held up Gambler's Lady and told them that this was a good book. She is now my editor at Sihouette Desire and I've learned that any time you get PR from an editor, be happy.

 

Through the years, I've attended more conferences, and the black suit idea still holds. Please do not think that I am offering myself as a fashion guide; I am not, but here is some of what I've learned. It's a basic budget/serviceable traveling format.

 

Basic Wardrobe: a basic color to build from, i.e. black or navy. Chose matching comfortable shoes. I usually have two pair of shoes: one to wear while traveling/walking, and a dressier pair or a plain pair of pumps. Choose for standing and/or walking. Check the conference roster to see what activities you'll be attending. Build upon those basic colors, if you want to save luggage space and mix and match. *If you do not care about space or weight of your luggage, then take anything you want. One of my friends goes to conferences with 3 or so pieces of luggage, a pair of shoes for every outfit, none of which matches anything else. That's fine for her, but not for me.

*All conference hotel information supplied by the organization should provide what is available in the rooms, i.e. irons. I do sometimes call ahead, if I am thinking of taking ironables. You can ask room service for these, but it is at a cost and sometimes a major conference has heavy useage; you could be left without, or waiting too long.

• When I am looking at clothing for traveling, I check out the weight of the individual garment. Linens are in, and you can work around a basic wardrobe color with them. They are super for hot weather, or cottons. I love rayon, the soft sweep of it. But polyester blends suit me for traveling. The new spandex wardrobe offerings are great with unlined cardigan, pants, short/long skirts. These can be rolled in your bag, or placed in your tote with no damage. I love "roll-clothing." Suits are usually heavy, but sometimes necessary. Depends on the tone of the conference. Sleeveless shifts are great, but sometimes conference hotels are too cold in the summer and too hot in the winter--dress in layers. Take a cardigan that can match your outfit, just in case. I am not a long skirt person, but they are lovely and flowing and free. NOTE: Some editors only use a tote to do a whole weekend conference.
• Chose a colorful blouse/tank top, pants, skirts to mix/match. Scarves and jewelry go a long way to change a basic look. By placing a bright jacket or blouse over a basic black outfit, you can be very dressy. Anything two-piece, i.e. a tunic and slacks/skirt can be a conference basic, if you plan well. Back in the days of the sequin girls, my big I've-made-it award (such confidence) to myself was a 3/4 length sequin jacket. What a mistake. It weighs a lot. I've gotten more use out of a black sequin vest, which is light.
• Plan accessories by comparing the list of conference events to the basic wardrobe you have selected. 1.) Day bag: if the conference does not typically supply these canvas totes, take something that stands on the floor, i.e. when you are in workshops or at dinner. Shoulder straps are a necessity as you do many things with both hands. An outside pocket large enough to slide a notebook into and if you are passing those business cards around, select a day bag that you can easily access those important cards. 2.) Party Bag: something flat with a shoulder strap. Flat is good for shipping, or pack necessities into a bulkier bag rather than leaving it empty in your luggage.
• Packing spacesaver: don't forget to pack those shoes full.
• Take a nightgown, etc. that buttons or can be opened down the front. When applying cosmetics, put the nightgown, etc. on backwards to protect your dress clothing.

Travel Light if flying. If possible, take a bag you can handle by yourself. If you are shipping through luggage (and make that rolling bags), take a basic change of clothes in your carryon bag/tote. (This has happened too many times to conference goers--the bags are delayed/lost and individuals have to use their charge cards for clothing.)

Your Carry-On: Depends on what you're doing, i.e. shipping through or managing your own. Airlines are now tight with space, so check with your travel agent as to the luggage requirements. I like soft, crunchable luggage as it sometimes fits better into airline overhead storage compartments. For laptop people, there are small rolling carryons which have a shelf for your notebook. Do not take that notebook, if you EVEN THINK it might not be justified. I've packed mine to conferences, hassled at the airport security, and then sometimes not used them. However, they are nice if you are on a deadline and needing to work at those odd hours--I'm an early riser and fill my time working until the conference starts. I love my shoulder strap travel bag, which has a slot for bottled water (that's a good idea), and a zippered slot on the outside for my tickets. Use an envelope to keep receipts and make notations of expenses. I have some of these from older ad work--just send SASE to me, specifying you want one, at P.O. Box 1098, Hollister, MO 65673 They are nice.

In Your Carry-On Travel Bag or Tote-- Fresh underwear, make-up/cleansers/hair stuff (place all liquids within a plastic bag, even if they are in a waterproof case, and try to pack upright), valuables, conference paid receipts, ID, etc. I do not take a purse, rather a shoulder travel bag/tote. If you travel very much, you will develop an assortment of bags/luggage for short/long and different purpose trips. Zippered inside pockets a must, but also a small zipped pocket on the outside perfect for taxi, tips, etc. so that you do not have to dig inside. Place a small amount of tip-money in this prior to traveling. I have a problem calculating tips and wish all conference literature would include taxi/shuttle cost from the airport and tip suggestion.

Necessities: Always pack paper shipping tape that can be dampened, and a tiny scissors. The scissors to cut threads, price tags you've left under your arm, or anything else. Shipping tape, because the shipping facilities are not always provided. If they are not, or you want to do your own, ask the service desk for a heavy cardboard box, use the shipping tape, and either ship as extra luggage or send those freebie books home. Take Velcro Spots: for that missing button, gaposis, or a hem that is torn, these spots are great. Use them for slipping shoulder pads. Consider taking a non-perishable snack in case the restaurant is closed when you arrive and the vending machines are empty/being unreasonable.

***Avoidables: Perfume. Shampoos, soap, body creams, etc. all contain enough fragrance when people are close packed into a conference. Let's be considerate of others. After seeing the results of my daughter's asthma, I advise consideration of those people sensitive to smells. Personally, there is nothing more nauseating than to be packed into a conference elevator with strong, clashing perfumes. (This after spending hours selecting an expensive Chanel fragrance for a New York trip, and not using it.)

Other things I like to take: A small looseleaf notebook, perhaps CD or tapes for relaxation, always some work stuff, i.e. research. I prefer looseleaf notebooks and use them with tabs for my continuing series books. I also like a tiny water spray for moisturing dry airline or conference air. Plain water is great, but my current one at my desktop is aloe vera moisturing, purchased at a health store. A camera is great, if you have a small one, or purchase a disposable one. (This is why I have pictures of Fabio and others hugging me, and a picture with Nora Roberts when we both received RT awards.)

 

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copyright 2005 Lois Kleinsasser