Hurry, save $50! Registration is open for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ 2019 Colorado Gold Conference. It will be held this year at the Renaissance Stapleton Hotel in Denver at 3801 Quebec Street. The conference features New York Times best-selling authors, acquiring agents and editors, and a wealth of intensive craft and marketing classes and workshops. If you haven’t yet registered, get to it—you’ll be so glad you did! One reason: the conference price goes up by $50 on July 31. Beat that date and save.
You can browse the speakers and workshops here.
If you’re already registered, welcome! This year’s conference has a powerful lineup of literary agents and editors who are actively acquiring all genres of commercial fiction. It will be hard to choose from the lively variety of workshops, master classes and services this year! Read on so you can get the most from the conference, whether this is your first conference or the next of many.
Conquer that “Lost-in-the-Crowd” feeling
This year’s conference is chock-full of new features. The number of master classes has increased, and the workshops offer an impressive array of craft and marketing topics. As the conference has expanded its offerings, it can be a lot to absorb.
Whether you’re a newbie this year or, like me, have attended two decades of conferences, there’s an easy way to stay on top of things. Here are two opportunities for you to get your bearings and prepare for a stress-free conference that delivers just what you need/want to get out of it.
Kevin Wolf’s First-Timer’s Meeting
If you’re a first-timer, let me congratulate you! You’re in for a great time! I’ll never forget the excitement and sweet rush of information and help I received at my first conference. If you have identified yourself as a first timer, you may have received or will soon receive a welcome letter from Kevin inviting you to this meeting. I thought I’d add it here, too, as a reminder to take full advantage of it. Here you’ll meet the RMFW president and conference chairs. You’ll also get a wealth of information you’ll want to know. How to find your way around. Book sales. Workshops. Where and when to purchase recordings of the workshops you attended or couldn’t attend due to your schedule. (My tip: order Sunday morning to avoid the delay of having them shipped.)
This is your chance to dispel any new-experience jitters and sail through your conference schedule with confidence and new friends.
Join the fun on Friday at noon in the Vail meeting room, Atrium level.
Terri Benson’s Conference Survival Secrets
Here you’ll learn about the new programs and services being offered: Master classes. Schedule changes. Good places to meet people. Special invitations for solo diners at the Friday dinner. Last-minute schedule changes. Terri will be ready to answer all your questions about editor/agent protocol, how to prep for appointments, how to pace yourself—all to help make your conference experience all it can be. Be there Friday at 1 p.m. in the Vail room, Atrium level.
Gold armbands and the “Ask Me” Crew
Should you find yourself lost or in need of information, look for RMFW members wearing gold armbands. It’s not a fashion statement—the bands identify friendly volunteers who will help you find your way around, more easily network and make new friends, and take advantage of all that this nationally respected conference has to offer.
Feel free to ask them questions: Where are the editor/agent meetings held? What time does the book sale begin? Where is the book store? Where do I go to buy an extra meal ticket for the Saturday dinner? Where can I grab a sandwich?
They’re called the ASK ME crew, and you can meet them at Kevin Wolf’s 12:00 noon Friday meeting for first-time attendees and at Terri Benson’s Conference Survival Secrets one o’clock Friday session. Both of these sessions are in the Vail meeting room, Atrium level. That way, you’ll be able to recognize them as they circulate during the workshops.
Terri Benson will present a workshop for both new and experienced conference attendees. It’s called Conference Survival Secrets, and you’ll have a chance to meet some ASK ME volunteers there, as well.
The ASK ME crew will circulate throughout the conference.
Get ready to place your bid in the Silent Auction!
Intake volunteers have received an exciting variety of donated items. All Silent Auction proceeds benefit the 2020 Colorado Gold Scholarship Fund. If you wish to bid on an item, locate the bid sheet for that item. The auction display area will be across from the conference registration desk, near the escalators. Then check back from time to time to see if you need to raise your bid. Bidding closes at the start of the Saturday evening banquet. Auction winners will be announced prior to the keynote address, and must claim their items that evening.
This year’s items include such treasures as:
- Critique of your query or manuscript pages from one of five agents/editors
- Writer’s goodie bags
- Gift Baskets in themes for Gardening, Wine and Books, Tea/Relaxation, Spices, and More!
- Auction items continue to arrive, so be sure to check the display area for updates.
Coming in my August blog…more Conference 411! Info on the new conference app, tips and more.
Janet Lane, Amazon Bestselling Author 