I know how hard it is to contain your excitement with you go to a conference and see an agent or an editor that you think would love your story. But the last thing you should do is follow them into the toilet and shove a USB stick under the cubicle door that has your manuscript on it. Not only is it gross and unhygienic, but creepy as well.

It can be so hard to get noticed and build a profile for yourself, but here’s some tips on networking in the publishing industry without coming off like a stalker.

1. Be social on social media: Retweet things, reply to people, strike up conversations (this does not mean: “Can I send you my MS), and follow great #hashtags.
2. Volunteer for stuff: Interning is a volunteer position, but it’s great to have on your resume and can introduce you to a…