The Bookseller.com

30th August 2008

Tim Relf's novels Stag and Home are published in the UK by Piatkus. Stag has also been published in America by Time Warner. He is currently working on his third book. His website is www.timrelf.com.

'Networking' is the hardest word

10.06.08

It brings to mind conferences where people stand round nervously, pretending to be fascinated by a programme or a delegate list or the contents of a coffee cup, racking their brains for ways to start a conversation.

It brings back memories of confusion over whether to shake hands or kiss, and awkward moments trying to remember whether you’ve read someone’s book, and trying to sneak furtive glances at name badges without being spotted.

People in publishing, though, seem effortlessly good at it. The confident handshake, the smooth opening line, the conversational aplomb – it’s second nature to them. I sometimes think they must get taught this stuff at school.

For us authors, it’s harder. Writing, by definition, involves long periods with only a computer for company. By nature, too, we’re often solitary creatures. We don’t really do get-togethers. Or we do, but we usually ignore each other when we get there. Or argue. Or get drunk.

Like it or not, though, networking has become part of the job description. Fact of the matter is, if you’re a writer and want to get on, you’ve got to network.

We might not get invited to all those swanky dinners and drinks parties that publishers do, but the good news is that there are plenty of opportunities to meet other authors and professionals from across the trade.

Festivals, readings and book signings are ideal. It’s worth picking your event carefully, though. The smaller, local and regional ones are often more writer-friendly than big ones like the London Book Fair.

I’m lucky, I’ve always enjoyed meeting people (and I certainly enjoy a swanky dinner or drinks party) but I know a lot of people who come out in a cold sweat at the mere mention of the word ‘networking’.

Remember that it does get easier. Like anything else, you can learn these skills. It’s hard to find specific training on it (although it is sometimes covered as part of more general business courses at local adult education colleges) so there’s no substitute for taking a deep breath and just doing it. Practise really does make perfect.

I was once told that the best opening line if you find yourself standing round on your own at an event is: “I don’t know anyone here – do you mind if I talk to you?” It’s a great ice-breaker and I still often use it. A not-so-good one, conversely, would be: “This place is full of losers, what say the two of us head off somewhere quieter?”

I’ve made the occasional faux pas, of course. Why didn’t, for example, I realise it probably wasn’t a good idea to spend five minutes explaining to the woman next to me in the audience at a reading how rubbish the previous speaker was before establishing if he was her husband. He obviously is not now among my key contacts!

It can seem difficult to justify going to events – especially since, unlike the London-centric publishing end of the trade, we’re geographically spread. It takes time and costs money. And, while friends in publishing tell me the glory days of expenses claims are over, at least they don’t end up paying for it out of their own pockets.

It’s usually worth making the effort, though. I’ve made some great contacts – and a few friends – from such events. They’re people I now ask for advice and bounce ideas off; we give each other feedback on our work. I value their different perspective, their fresh ideas and, perhaps most valuable of all, the useful contacts they can give me.

And while there’s no substitute for face-to-face interaction, the internet also offers networking opportunities. There are some great writing forums, and you can interact with other authors - and get direct access to journalists – via their websites and blogs.

You could even end up bumping into them at a conference one day – which might well save you having to feign interest in a programme, a delegate list or the contents of a coffee cup.
 

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