Here’s a start on our FAQs – hope they help! If you can’t find an answer to your question, please use the comment box at the end of this post. Thanks!
- How will book signings be set up? If I bring my own books, how much space will I have? Can I bring an easel? Book signing will occur on the lower level of the hotel, with tables lining the corridors leading in and out of the bookseller’s room. We anticipate seating two authors per table; name signs will be provided but feel free to bring promotional materials. Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee space for easels or other large signage.
- Are there chances to network? Yes. Every reception, meal, and break is a chance to network.
- What exactly is Blue Pencil and how much time will I have? See our website tab about Blue Pencil.
- What is a Cold Read? Are there formatting rules? See our website tab about Cold Reads.
- How can I find the conference registration desk and meeting rooms? There will be signs posted in the Vinoy, guiding you to all conference events. Our group has the hotel pretty much all to ourselves, so it should be pretty easy to find things.
- How will I know when and with whom my pitch appointment is? Answer is forthcoming – please check back!
- How should I prepare for my appointment? What if I faint? See our website tab about Pitching Etiquette.
- What if I miss my pitching appointment? Our agents and editors are tightly scheduled. There are no make-ups unless you’re in traction or captured by aliens.
- What if I see an agent at the water cooler in the lobby, in the restroom, or in the elevator? Can I pitch my book? No, not unless asked, which would be rare. Hello and a smile is always good. See our website tab on Pitching Etiquette.
- Can I leave a workshop or presentation to go to my appointment? Yes, but you might want to sit in the back or by the door to avoid disrupting the speaker.
- Is there a dress code? What about the banquet? Casual but professional. Banquet is dressy casual – or you can wear your favorite historical era clothing! (more on that later!) And, while St. Petersburg is pretty warm in late June, the Hotel Vinoy has up-to-date air conditioning, and you know what that means (bring a sweater).
- How can I meet others writing in my era? We’re thinking about two ways to do this: one, a bulletin board in a common area where people can put up notes to gather other like-minded era-writers together; and two, we might set aside several tables at the Saturday luncheon and have signs designating them by historical era or topic: Renaissance, American West, Victorian, Biblical, etc.
- What can my spouse do while I’m attending workshops? Aside from the pool, the spa, and the fitness center, there will be information about other attractions in the brochures in your tote bag. The beach is a trolley ride away, and you can always check current events at http://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com .
GOT A QUESTION? Please leave a comment below!
Is there a way to see my registration details? I can’t remember if I signed up for any pitch sessions, which I may be interested in, now that I know my presentation schedule. Thanks very much.
A question. Have you selected a book vendor, and if so who?
I did not see a tab for Blue Pencil. Am I missing something or is it really not there?
Just curious.
I am interested in more info about book signings. Are indie books welcome? How do authors sign up for space? Do they sell books at their table space? Is there a fee to participate?
Hi Nancy – if you go to the “Register Here” tab, and click on the link to go the Registration Form, just page down a bit and you’ll see a full explanation of the whole BOOKS arrangement. Essentially, you sign up for the book signing and/or to have books in the bookstore, when you register for the conference. But there are several options and some constraints, so please read it carefully. There is no fee to participate (other than registering for the conference).
Hi, I’m really interested in the conference. I notice in the registration form that you can include two “guests.” Do guests attend the conference? Do they pay full price? Just curious.
Dear HNS Conference Committee,
I am attending the June 21-23, 2013 HNS Conference in Florida. I am a writer who also teaches yoga for writers. I would like to know if the conference would be interested in me leading an early evening or morning yoga class for conference attendees? It is something I would be happy to do on a volunteer basis, and I apologize ahead of time for not contacting you sooner about this!
You can visit my blog: http://www.stephaniereneedossantos.com to read more about writing and yoga.
Here is a little information about how yoga can benefit writers:
Writers often suffer from physical pain in the shoulders, neck, head, lower back, hips and eyes. This stress in the body can inhibit or block creativity. Yoga practice helps reverse and relieve bodily tension; when the body is eased, so are the tensions of the mind.
Yoga Benefits to the Writer:
• Open your chest, bring your shoulders back, loosen up your neck, and increase circulation to your head. Improve your posture after long days at the computer and reading
• Stretch your body and awaken your mind
• Open your hips, where creativity, emotions and creative expression often get trapped
• Learn to create and access the state that creativity likes to manifest into: A state of empowerment, focus, grounding, intuition, strength, compassion, staying power
• Learn to set intentions/goals for your writing and visualize/meditate on them
• Create balance, which will increase your ability to focus clearly
• Experience community
• Release your mind and body and open the space for ideas to flow
Writing & Yoga
Writing and Yoga are soul mates. Yoga reveals insights; Writing is the recorder. Yoga balances the rhythms of breath; Writing surfs breath through oceans of language. Yoga taps the unconscious mind; Writing transcribes the wisdom of the unconscious. Writing requires work; Yoga is the assistant. Writing is an offering to the world; Yoga eases the offering’s sacrifice. Writing is a solo act; Yoga provides community.
Thank you for considering this, and please let me know if this is something the conference would like to incorporate into its schedule.
Happy Holidays!
Many Regards,
Stephanie Renee dos Santos
Blog: http://www.stephaniereneedossantos.com
Email: stephaniereneedossantos@gmail.com
Hi Stephanie – we think this is a neat idea! let’s talk more about it after all the holiday stuff is over! thanks. mary burns