Lauren Conoscenti

Obviously grab your badge, hotel, and flight asap, if you haven’t already! Downtown Austin is really walkable. No need to rent a car. +

There wasn’t Lyft/Uber last year (they might be back now?). There was an equivalent called @fasten. Also, cabs. Yes, they still exist! +

To get to/from @AUStinAirport for cheap, take @CapMetroATX 100 bus. Have quarters or download the app. I did the 4th at Trinity stop; it +

… put me right in the action. Check into your hotel, grab your badge, and grab some grub! The BBQ, you guys. The BBQ. +

I loved @CoopersBBQATX on Congress. No killer lines + some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had. Recommend! Also try Tex-Mex + taco trucks. +

Next, the conference! Plan ahead. Download the festival app. Have alternates in case certain panels fill up fast. (They will.) +

Definitely do the roundtables! I got to chat with the lovely @dottiehudson, @_njwatson, and others not on this here Twitter machine. +

Some fav panelists I got to see last year were @pamelaribon, @bergopolis, @madhouse_ent, among others in this thread. Go to their things! +

My favorite Second Rounder perk was, by far, @acofell’s The One Hour Drama. First time I’d ever been in a simulated writers room. A must. +

Remember to hydrate! Austin is HOT. Keep a snack on you for those back-to-back panels. Might mean no lunch. Worth it. Coffee = friend. +

Also, the parties! Go. Make fast friends by splitting a cab in the rain with fellow writers on the way to @WGAWest’s Late Night Welcome. +

Bump into the delightful @rayutar while waiting in line for (last year’s) Nickelodeon Happy Hour. Play bingo together! You’ll find that +

… you’ll see the same folks over the course of the conference + bond. At @TheDriskill bar. On 6th Street. All around. It’s the best! +

Speaking of 6th Street, you must stop into @VoodooDoughnut. Take cash. Iconic, 24-hour doughnut shop. Tradition. Delicious tradition. +

See a movie! It’s a film fest after all. Big screenings are largely at night to accommodate for conference programming. It works nicely. +

Pitch sessions. Go, even if just to watch. I found it super helpful – I’d never seen so many pitches at once. Very critique! Much insight! +

Make friends online ahead of time! @wdavisliterary saw me in the lobby, gave me a big hug hello first night. Set tone for the whole trip. +

Basically, it’s a blast. With like-minded writer folks who want to connect/help. Don’t be shy. Introduce yourself. You’ll be glad you did. +

I can’t make it down this year. Will very much be there in spirit, and hope to return next year! I charge you, dear reader, with +

… having a magical time in my absence! Please feel free to send me your questions. Happy to help, if I can! In conclusion, +