There are obvious benefits to attending publishing industry conferences and creative writing workshops. You get to meet other writers, schmooze with well-known professionals, and attend informative writing conference seminars. But Writer’s Relief wants to make sure you take advantage of one benefit that you might have overlooked. We’re talking about books!
Books, books, books!
Writers and publishers often give out hundreds of promotional copies of their newest releases. Plus, authors often sign copies at group events or offer discounted pricing. With so many books available to take home, you’ll want to be sure to leave space in your suitcase when packing for your trip.
Tips For Packing Light So You Can Bring Home More Books From A Writing Conference
Create a capsule wardrobe. Seasoned travelers know the value of mix-and-match wardrobes. When every article of clothing in your suitcase matches, it’s easy to put together new outfits with just a few pieces. Learn more about how to create a capsule wardrobe.
Bring one pair of shoes. If you create a capsule wardrobe, you can probably get by with the shoes on your feet. Just make sure they’re comfortable!
Embrace merino. If you’re going to a warm climate, you can avoid bulky clothing. But if you’re heading somewhere chilly—or if hotel air-conditioning leaves you cold—consider packing pieces made of merino wool. Merino is warm, light, and travels easily.
Choose darker-colored clothing. If you’re going to a week-long conference with a capsule wardrobe in tow, darker clothing will serve you better than bright whites. Dark colors tend to look dressier in simple fabrics, and they also hide stains and wrinkles.
Avoid overpacking toiletries. Pack only the essentials. Most hotels offer free shampoo, conditioner, soap, and even hand lotion. And there will probably be a hair dryer in the hotel room, so you can save space in your luggage by leaving yours at home.
Research laundry options. Your hotel might be able to handle your laundry needs, allowing you to pack less but still stay fresh. Or you may be able to find a nearby laundromat. In a pinch, there’s always the option of washing items in the bathroom sink.
Use rubber bands or space-saving compression bags. Some travel pros suggest rolling clothing instead of folding it and securing it tightly with rubber bands to save room. You can also use space-saving compression bags that will collapse your clothing into much smaller packages—no vacuum required!
Wear more while traveling. If you’re trying to eke out a little more suitcase room for your trip home from a writing conference, remember you can simply wear all of your bulkiest items on the plane instead of packing them in your suitcase.
And last but not least…you might want to bring along an empty suitcase—just so you can fill it with books!
Bonus Tip For Using All The Promotional Copies From A Writing Conference
If you’re attending a really big writers’ conference, you might find yourself bringing home more books than you’re actually interested in reading. Consider using these promotional copies as a giveaway for one of your fan-building contests.
Question: What’s your favorite part of attending a writing conference?
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