Finding Editors at Science Fiction Conventions

In college, I was remarkably lucky to find a wonderful teacher and mentor for my science fiction and fantasy writing in the person of Michael Williams, one of the original developers of Dragonlance and an excellent writer. What I didn't realize when I met him was that one day, I'd be arranging for him to appear as a special guest at a science fiction convention -- or that he would help me line up numerous other writers and editors to guest at this convention as well.

A good science fiction convention is more than just a place where people dress up oddly and debate the comparative merits of Deep Space Nine and Farscape. Rather, it's a place where every element of science fiction fandom, from creative professionals like writers and artists to the most geekish of fans, can come together in a friendly and open environment. Writers generally love coming to conventions. And where professional writers gather, you're likely to find professional editors gathering as well.

Why Find The Editors?

While you can find plenty of traditional places to publish your stories -- zines, magazines, and sometimes publicly announced anthologies, you won't find most anthology announcements without networking. Editors frequently seek out talented new writers at places where writers hang out -- like conventions.

Though they deny it, a positive personal relationship with an editor will always work in your favor. They may read stories with the name removed, but they're also more likely to give you good personal feedback if they know you and recognize your name when they put the story and name back together. Besides which, I doubt as many read anonymously as they claim; the more you submit to a magazine and especially a specific editor, the better your chances of getting a personalized response and, ultimately, an acceptance.

Basically, your relationship with an editor can bring you surprising rewards. Never discount it.

Where Do The Editors Hide?

This really depends on the editor. Almost everyone filters through the con suite at some point during the day; you'll also find a lot of editors participating in panels during daylight hours, and a few that make the party rounds.

Before the convention, do your homework. Read all the fliers and web information on the convention so you'll know the names of editors to look for; if you can't find any, email the membership coordinator of the convention and ask. Most are nice enough to tell you, or to tell you who you can ask. When you get the names of editors, do a little more work and track down the publications they work for, paying special attention to publications you'd like to write for.

Get to the convention early, so you can settle in before doing your serious networking. Go through the panel listings and mark the ones with editors in them; also mark all the writing workshops and similar writing-oriented panels so you won't forget to go to as many as possible.

At the convention, start by making friends with other writers. Participate in writing workshops, attend writing oriented panels. Advertise that you are a writer -- wear T-shirts that have literary slogans, not dragons, and carry your notebook or computer around with you. And look especially for the writers that are a step or two above where you are right now. They're the ones who probably already have an established network.

At panels with your chosen editors, make sure you attend his or her last-panel-of-the-day. This is the point at which you want to approach them. (Be certain, also, to participate in panels with intelligent questions so the editor will notice you.) Go up, wait politely, and have a good question that can't be answered quickly ready. If the editor invites you to join him for dinner, FOR GODS SAKE SAY YES. I made the mistake of turning down an invitation like this once. Only once.

If you still can't find the editors, go down and volunteer to work the convention, letting the volunteer coordinator know that you're especially interested in meeting editors and writers. While these volunteer spots are generally taken up by the folks who organized the convention, you may be able to get a little bit of fetching and carrying work for the editor, or you may be able to get a slot to work at the con suite when the writing professionals tend to gather there.

As a last resort, don't be afraid to approach editors in the hallways or other places, provided they don't look intent on going somewhere -- like a bathroom. Another mistake I made once (sorry, Ms. Friesner!)

Do Not:

* Bring your manuscript with you; if you want the editor to have a sample, print a blurb on the back of a business card.

* Make yourself out to be the next Stephen King -- you aren't.

* Approach with arrogance, or really anything except professional admiration. No other attitude will get you any respect.

* Talk and talk and talk -- say what you want to say, get the answers you want, make a little small talk, and then let things move forward as they will. If the editor isn't terribly busy, he or she will initiate a relationship -- and that's what you want.

* Delay your move. The earlier you talk to the editor, the more opportunities you'll have to talk to him or her later, since you've already broken the ice.

Do:

* Keep manuscripts you may be shopping round in your room. You never know.

* Have business cards ready, with the aforementioned blurb, to hand to editors. They won't forget you that way.

* Behave professionally, even if you're dressed like an elf. (Dress code at cons is nonexistent.)

* Use whatever tools you wish to get positive attention. If you're a pretty girl, male editors will remember your chain mail bikini. Guys are better off being a little more t-shirt-and-jeans.