• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
San Francisco Writers Conference

San Francisco Writers Conference

A Celebration of Craft, Commerce & Community

  • Home
  • Classes
  • Events
    • SF Writers Conference
      • Register
        • Travel Tips
        • What to Bring
        • 2020 Event Flyer
        • 2020 Schedule
    • Writing for Change
  • Contests & Scholarships
    • Support the Scholarship with Donations
      • 2020 Scholarships
    • Enter the Writing Contest
      • 2021 Writing Contest Overview
      • 2021 Contest Rules
      • 2021 Contest Entry Form
    • Charity Auction
  • Sponsor or Exhibit
    • Sponsor or Exhibit at the Conference
    • Advertise in Conference Print & Digital Materials
    • Foundation Sponsorships, Scholarships, and Charity Auctions
    • 2020 Sponsors
  • Store
    • Purchase Conference MP3s
    • Purchase Swag
  • Blog & Podcast
    • Blog
    • Podcasts
  • About
    • Staff
    • Media Fact Sheet
    • Media Press Release
    • Newsletter
      • Newsletter Sign Up
      • Newsletter Archive
    • Speed Dating
    • Testimonials
    • Donate!
  • 2021 Podcast Renaming Contest

Speed Dating versus Agent Conversations

December 14, 2018 By San Francisco Writers Conference

You’re looking at the San Francisco Writers Conference website and probably wondering why we’re offering two different ways to meet with an agent. This can be confusing so I’m here to explain the difference. The wonderful agents who come to meet with you are excited to hear your book pitch. They are shopping for the next bestseller. Katharine Sands of the Sarah Jane Freymann Agency in New York told us that writers conferences are like Costco for agents. That’s why they spend four hours, three minutes at a time, Speed Dating with attendees whose books are ready to sell. We offer a number of breakouts and events during the conference to help you perfect your pitch before your speed dating session Sunday Morning. Speed Dating with agents is a conference classic and dramatically increases your chances of finding an agent to represent your work over simply querying by email.

New in 2018 were 15 minute Agent Conversations and they sold out so quickly, and made attendees so happy, that we brought them back with more hours and more agents. This is a scheduled 15 minute meeting with the agent you select. You could make your pitch and even get feedback on it since the time slot is longer, but you can also just have a conversation about your work in progress, your writing career, the market, any questions you have about craft, commerce, and community. They can help you figure out where you really are in the process and what your next steps could be. It’s also a great opportunity to make a human connection and get over some of your nervousness about the pitching and querying to come.

Throughout the conference all of our presenters do their best to be available to meet you and answer your questions, but undivided attention is sometimes difficult to offer. And we recognize that some people are shy and reluctant to approach a speaker who may have a crowd around them. Agent conversations are a way to ensure you get time to have the chat you need to move you forward.

In summary, if your focus is selling your book, Speed Dating is for you. If you’re not sure your book is ready, have questions about publishing, or want to meet your first agent in a less stressful setting, an Agent Conversation is where you can do that. Many attendees choose to do both. The fees charged for these add-ons support our non-profit and help us create the best full spectrum writers conference in the country. We can’t wait to meet you there!

–Lissa Provost, SFWC Operations Manager

 

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin

Footer

About Us

The San Francisco Writers Conference (“SFWC”) enjoys a rich literary culture. Over the course of four days in mid-February, over 500 attendees and renowned keynote authors, presenters, editors, and agents, attend SFWC, combining the best of both the traditional publishing industry with the latest technology to empower authors to publish anywhere. Situated just north of Silicon Valley, the SFWC is truly a one-of-a-kind celebration of craft, commerce, and community.

More About Us
Contact Us

Help Support SFWC

Thank you for your decision to support the San Francisco Writers Conference. Your donation will help us provide free programs and scholarships. The San Francisco Writers Conference, a non-profit charity 501(c)(3).

Connect With Us

Address: San Francisco Writers Conference, P.O. Box 326, Oakley, CA 94561
Phone: 1-925-420-6223
Email: [email protected]
Contact Form

Our Newsletter

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
Top | Contact Us | San Francisco Writers Conference | Privacy & Security | Terms of Use
© 2004 - 2020 SF Writers Conferences, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
site by Askmepc-Webdesign
COMODO AUTHENIC SECURE SITE