A friend of mine asked me how to network at a writing convention. I don't have the faintest idea but I'd better get one asap, huh?

I did a little bit a research and learned this much:

"You go to writing conferences and learn from panelists. Afterwards, you query the agents whom you met or saw and mention the conference in your first paragraph."

I realize a conference isn't the same as a convention, but they both have agents and panels, so I assume they're safe to lump together for this exercise.

So if I had to guess based on this, I should bring synopses, sample chapters, and maybe the whole book on CD(?) and go to the convention, not intending to propose anything, but instead to meet. Then you go home and query the people you met, mentioning meeting them at the convention.

Does that sound right? Anyone?

I'll keep looking, but the panel idea is a good one. All conventions have various panels and discussions held for audiences; I've been asked if I want to join a few panels at Archon 32 and decided to email the people at WFC to see if I could volunteer for them, too. I got a little email back saying they'd let me know. I figure as long as you have an opinion on something and don't mind answering questions, volunteering for a panel or two can't be bad, right?

Of course I'm an editor, as well as a published author, so maybe you need some sort of resume to be accepted on a panel. Who knows? For Archon I received an email saying they'd seen on my website that I was attending the convention, and asked if I'd like to help out. How did they find my website? Who knows. Anyways, they sent me a questionnaire about my interests and experience and said they'd get back to me if I fit on any of the panels. Still waiting...

Anyways, I'd love feedback on how to network at a convention. I don't want to look like an idiot carrying around a folder of synopses...

Jenn