Stick The Pitch!
- The deck of the Revenge was oddly deserted. Captain Hellion stood at the wheel, a bit bemused at the lack of crew to direct. A golden head rose from behind a crate, looking about furtively. One of the Sunday hotties, she observed, wondering why he was lurking about. He stood up, heading for the ratlines with sudden alacrity.
- Abruptly, Chance came dashing over from the bow. “Hey! Wait! Listen to this one, please! No, hey! Come back here!”
- The golden haired Adonis pled a need to work on the sails, even while climbing away from Chance, whose right hand held a pile of index cards. She wailed, “Nooooo!” Turning away from the escapee, she spied Sin, lurking near the bar.
- “Oh, good tactic.” Hel chuckled. “That’s the right bait!”
- Chance snatched the bottle from Sin. “Not until you listen to this one…”
- Sin groaned then reached for the ninja stars at her side, murder plain in her eye. Hel shouted out, “Won’t hurt you to listen, Sin!”
- “You ain’t been badgered by her for the last two weeks! You listen to her!” Sin dove over the side of the ship.
- Chance leaned over the railing. “How am I to figure out what to pitch if you won’t help, coward!” She ducked away from the splash. Terri ran out from the side and threw Sin a floatation device…
- Hellion sighed, it had been a rough few weeks. She’d be glad when Chance left for the conference and this nightmare was over. The crew was talking about trussing her up, throwing her on a cutter and letting her drift away…
Yes, I have a pitch coming up…with luck, several pitches. I like face-to-face pitches much more than sending off blind queries. Granted, I’ve only done one. But it went well, even if they didn’t take the requested book. Nevertheless, I am nervous about how to do this right. I’ll be attending the Romantic Times Booklovers Conference in Orlando next week and have appointments to pitch.
I’m prolific and have MS from several genres I hope to interest publishers/agents in. From my pirate book, to an urban fantasy featuring dark fairies; from a librarian on another planet to a man born of a fox. I even have an apocalyptic story of life struggling after most humans disappear. Yup, I run the gamut. And I’m confident about the pirate pitch, it’s my heart’s child and I can sell it through pure enthusiasm. But I’m nervous about the others. Not sure which to pitch to who, how to sum them up in that magical phrase that will make my prey smile and hand me a business card.
It’s a struggle. You write, you edit, you sweat bullets, cry, don’t sleep. And it all comes down to those pithy phrases, those few minutes. You dress nicely, you brush your teeth, you sit up straight.
But…does the pitch stick? Let’s have it! Clues, stories, ideas…how did you do it? How do you imagine doing it? What do you think will work? What is the secret? Is this another one from the secret code book? Help me and you help yourself. We’re all gonna be doin’ this eventually! Ya non-readers, hear any good stories a’ how it’s done right? Or wrong?
Books by the Crew
50 comments:
First, good luck! I did one pitch, I had been writing less than a year. Hadn't a clue what to do, and I was scared. I had visions of dragons with sharp claws and wicked teeth.
So, yeah, what was the first thing I said, "You don't look like a dragon." To Leah Hultenschmidt. And let me tell you she was so nice. There was also the fact that before the pitch when she had to speak, she seemed nervous as hell, which told me she's just as human as I am.
Anyway,
1) Drink some rum.
2) make sure you know how to turn off your phone. You know, just in case your husband, whom you told a hundred times to pick you up at 3:00 shows up at 2:00 and calls nonstop.
3) more rum
4) As far as what to pitch to who, research. Know what they are interested in. Several agents that I really admire and would love to pitch to aren't looking for historical romance. Since you write across genres your options are open.
5) Choose the ms(s) you are most comfortable with, the one(s) you know like no other.
6) Perhaps a bit more rum.
7) Don't be afraid to use note cards.
8) Um, hold off on that rum for a bit, make sure you can see the note cards.
9) Girl Scout motto, Always be prepared. HELLA more rum.
10) Drink some more rum.
11) Above all, have fun!
Renee
Good luck! I get nervous just thinking about it! I'm so much better at e-mail or blog comments than actually speaking to a real live person.
I am so bad at pitching---I've only done it over the phone and just make no sense at all. I actually wind up saying, "I'm sorry. I make no sense at all." LOL. I hope to do a pitch today as a matter of fact (which is why I'm up at 3 AM), and I wrote it all down because I know I'll babble first chance I get. I'm not good in summarizing, but Ely helped me on the current WIP, so here it is in a nutshell: Regency Gigolo Meets Cinderella.
Rum...check
Phone off...check
Notecards, research...check
Rum...check
Got it! I be ready wit' the note cards and Jane-o, who could charm the devil 'imself, has two published authors willin' ta work wit' both a' us afore we take the plunge.
More rum...check!
Renee...good advice. I gots ta work on what I be most comfortable wit'. I gots two I figure be the most likely ta succeed. One because I loves it and feel I can get it in the door. The other 'cause it be interestin'...
This be a scary thing ta do... But I works on makin' if fun. Remember the rum...check!
Regency Gigalo meets Cinderalla!? Sounds fun! I had a quick line like that I might use... Pirates of the Caribbean meets Charmed... Tryin' ta decide it that's passed as understandable...
I finds paper pitches too dry... I can do 'em. And they look better than when I started. But...let's face it...harder ta turn down wide eyes and wagging tails than a piece a' paper...
I be facin' two paper publishers. Tor and Grand Central and one agent from The Knight Agency.
And I do feel like they be dragons...but they don't have ta be fierce dragons. Knock on hull...
And Maggie! Best a luck ta ya! Log back in and let us know how it went...
Great advice from Renee and Maggie, though I would stick to mineral water with a touch of scotch for flavour.
Like Maggie said, you need to capture your book in a nut shell and make sure its not a coco-nut.
I'm trying to imagine myself as an agent listening to your pitch.
Knowing that if I accept then I have to sell the damned thing, I would be looking for great originality, great style, a huge voice and a fabulous smile.
Think of your book as a new elementary particle and identify all of its quantum numbers:
Spin, charge, strangeness, beauty, flavour, charm.....
Chance, you have buckets of charm so stop worrying ..... just don't relapse into the hill billy thing...and you'll be great.
I guarantee it.......*hick* 8)
Spin...hmmm. Won't that make me dizzy? er?
Charge...I will be bringin' me credit cards...
Strangeness...ah, that's so sweet! Thank ye!
Beauty...*blushing now.
Flavour...I be takin' chocolate...
Charm...ah shuks...
Now, when I be pitchin' me pirate hillbilly story, I might stumble inta the twang, ya knows... But I'll try not ta, Q. Jus' fer you!
(Where's Sin's monkey...Q needs a reminder a' what hillbillies really sound like... Here, monkey...monkey...monkey... Wanna go visit Uncle Q again!?)
Chance - You are going to be FABULOUS! All of this advice is spot on so far. And Q is right, you exude charm, my dear.
Here's a tip I remember from Jessica Faust (best pitch workshop EVER) - Use all of your pitch time. If your pitch takes five minutes and you've been given ten, use the rest of the time to talk. Ask her how her trip was, ask her how the conference has been so far, ask her if she's ever heard of the glittery hooha! Just make conversation. I bet you'll learn more in that five minutes about how you'd work together than you did in the first five minutes.
Here's another tip I gave J in San Fran and it seemed to work for her. Remember that this is YOU interviewing THEM. This person, be she agent or editor, is going to play a large role in your career. You have to feel you can work with her and trust that she sees the same vision you do. You are really deciding who you'd prefer to hire, so remember you are in the driver's seat.
Hmmmm. I'm not much help. At my pitch, I blurted it all out...then left my purse in the room.
I think the following things HELP, but aren't necessarily *absolute*. I think the best advice is to remember that agents/editors are people too, not scary people looking to shoot you down at the first opportunity. They ARE excited about new stories and they WANT to find stories that they can be excited about, that they can sell.
So advice 1:
1.) Remember agents/editors are people. Talk to them like they're the normal people they are. Try not to gush too much, you're not meeting Gerard Butler.
2.) Know what your story is about. It's alarming how many of us claim we know what our story is about, and yet when asked, "What's your story about?" we ramble about the backstory of our favorite character, hoping the agent/editor will fall in love with that person. You need to be able to sum up your story in about 3 sentences. Focus on the goal-motivation-conflict of your story/characters: that is what the book is about.
3.) Know what audience you're selling to AND know what genre you're selling. If you're in an elevator with the editor from a Christian publisher, but the book you're pitching features erotica (or romantica) with shapeshifters, realize this is not the best person to be pitching to. Don't ignore her altogether, but if she says, "It's not for me", don't be devastated. I'm pretty sure I've never read a Christian-imprinted novel with shapeshifter characters who fooled around in threesomes throughout the novel. Talking with other editors though sometimes puts you in contact with editors who would be ideal to pitch to--so the Christian editor might at least recommend your story to someone else. Also make sure you know the genre you're selling. Even if you're "blending" genres, pick the one most fitting for your book. Editors/agents want to know YOU know who your audience is... But don't LIE about it either. If you know you're talking to an editor who hates paranormal, so you say, "It's a contemporary" (because it takes place in modern times, but leave out that it's an ALTERNATE reality with fairies, you'll annoy them.)
4.) BREATHE. And remember #1. You'll be fine and you deserve to be there, listened to, and eventually you will find the right person to pitch to and will win the day.
Oh, and someone said this to me when I pitched--and I found it to be true--if you pitch, usually they'll ask to see your manuscript about 9 out of 10. If you have the guts to pitch and the professionalism to be attending conferences and improving your writing, they will usually let you at least submit to them. So relax.
*scratching underneath the monkey's little chinchin*
Awwhhh you such a good little monkey aren't you. I know you didn't mean to pee in MM's favorite gunnysack. She just be a triffle wound up.
*a wee kiss on top of the monkey's nose* Now you go on now and have a good time flirting with disaster with Mr. Q. I foresee a great weekend ahead of the both of you.
*dancing away* Hehehehee.
MM you're going to be great babe! Confidence I think is the biggest thing to have when you're meeting someone for the first time. If you believe in yourself, the other person will believe too.
I may never pitch to anyone, and if I do, I know I'll be so nervous that turning red will be an understatement; but I can tell you it can't be any different than rocking out an interview and I can do that with ease.
So head up babe. Knowing smile. Cool and confident attitude without being cocky about it.
Good luck, Chance! I'm sure you will be sensational. Just showing up shows courage IMO.
I'm with Maggie. I'm much better with pen and paper than face-to-face. When I was taking comprehensive exams for my doctorate, I actually enjoyed the written exams, but I almost hyperventilated before I went into the exam room for my orals. Just thinking about a face-to-face pitch makes me feel ill.
Sin's comment on confidence reminded me of the old saying "Fake it until you make it." This is such good advice. If you believe you can do it, or at least can pull off an acting performance so that you look like you can pull it off, that's all you need. LOL! You have to back it up eventually, but once you get your foot in the door, you can do that with no problem.
Janga - Give me fact-to-face any day. LOL! I'm much better in person because I can riff. If I ever manage to say anything smart or witty, ironically enough it's without thinking about it. So riffing off the cuff is always much better for me!
*LOL* Q, I adore you, but I always wonder when we meet if the first thing you'll think is, "Blimey! She's got the most *ridiculous* hillbilly accent!" I assume most of my accent does not come off in my blogs--being I leave my 'g's on my words and I keep the 'ya'lls' to a minimum, but still, I have to wonder.
I was on a cruise once with a friend, also from Missouri, and we dined with a variety of people, including two men from Britain. Of course, the ENTIRE trip (7 days) the outspoken one kept marveling at our consumption of beef (which we did eat a lot of beef) and the fact we were from Missouri, which was where his idol, Andy Williams, lived. He wanted to know just how close we lived from Andy Williams and didn't seem to understand why we didn't take regular 4 hours trips (one way) to go see the man. Actually he was aghast that Andy Williams lived so far from us when we were in the same state. So finally it got to be where we explained the pack mule trains take a lot longer to get to places and that's why...and he seemed to accept this as true and what he'd actually been thinking all along.
And sit up straight but not ramrod straight. Exude confidence. That's the reason I ended up with the job that I have now. I can't say that I was qualified for it; but the DR sure thought I was.
I can't say that I was a bad choice either.
What do you mean you weren't qualified for your job? Your DR would be useless without you? If you walked out, he'd follow you, weeping and flinging himself at your feet and begging for your return. What would he do about computer issues? Please.
But yeah, you're right, he's helpless without me. This office was a disaster area when I took over.
Dude, when I took this job, I wasn't qualified for it. In fact, I was so underqualified that when he called me back to do a phone interview I actually laughed.
I'm sure he hired you because you looked unruffle-able. Seriously if the building was on fire, you'd the one calmly downloading info onto a flashdrive and then walking out of the building, herding freaking out patients along the way while talking in a calm voice.
Morning, y'all! (That's for you, Q.)
Terrio, so's...I come wit' a list a' questions fer them...I like it!
Hel - Good advice, Cap'n. Stick to GMC and know me story. Genre could catch me up, so's I bite me tongue and call it what it baically is...even if'n I disagree wit' it. Arguin' genre isn't what I be there for.
Sin, ain't we all 'elpless wit'out ya!? Tho Mattie, Jr needs ta learn better bathroom manners. And 'e likes his Uncle Q, I be sure of it...
Cool & Confident...I can fake that long enough ta get through a 9 minute pitch... I think...
Janga - When I was a younger pirate, I'd rather write ten papers than give one speech. As I be older and more treacherous, I discovered the art a' bullshit and can spin tales wit' the best a' them...
I do know that enthusiasm and belief in me story don't translate well ta paper. But I understand the attraction a' stayin' home...especially right now, when I gots packing ta do, long with a million other things afore that flight tomorrow...
LOL! I love that Britisher thinkin' ya must live next door ta Andy! Used ta get that livin' in California...ya must know some movie stars, see 'em at the beach, etc. As if California be nothin' but beach and LA!
Think I members most a' cruisin' with a Britisher were how much 'e loathed ice in 'is drinks...
This is what happens when we have downtime.
I always told the DR if someone walks into this office and tried to stick us up, not only am I going to laugh, but the DR is going to shoot them and then ask questions. For God's sakes there is a bank across the street and one right beside us. Surely a dumbass wouldn't walk in here and demand I give them a few measley dollars.
But this would be me,
"I'm sorry dumbass. I'm not going to give you any money. If you want money march your ass across the street. And if you're too lazy to do that, then don't think you're going to get out of here before the cops show up."
Robber: "I have a gun."
Doctor: "Mine is bigger."
LMFAO
???? Mine is Bigger...sounds like a drink! A big drink...
Good luck, Chance!!! You'll be great and no matter what happens . . . it is a learning experience. I'm way too chicken to pitch in person. I am so much better on e-mail, so I think it takes a lot of courage and gumption to even pitch in-person in the first place. And a pitch appointment is how Tiff met her agent, so you never know . . . you just might meet yours, too.
Ah, yer sweet Elyssa... I feel likes I'm goin' on a series a' dates. And I ain't dated fer more an' thirty years!
Gots all the blind date jitters...what do I wear? What do I say? What if they don't like me????
Blah, blah, blah... It ain't 'bout me. It's about the books! (Though I still makes sure me hair is combed...)
(And me breath is minty fresh...)
(And there be no tears in me pitch outfit...)
ARRRRR!
Good luck MM. You're going to be great, I'm sure.
The best advice.... Hhmmmm....
First, boil your story down to 5-7 lines. That's it. Hit GMC, for both characters, and end on a hook. The pitch workshop I had suggested the high concept thing. (Like your Pirates of the Caribbean meets Charmed.) I think it works if it's good. And I like that one. But I think sometimes it can be obscure.
Besides that, take a deep breath and smile. Smiles help make everything better.
Mornin' Marnee! I be workin' the boiler, tryin' ta be as succint as possible, but still be excitin'. Jane-o and I be plannin' some brainstormin' when I arrive. As I be there three days afore the main event begins. She also is meetin' with two pubs and on agent.
Once there, we both may snag some more appointments, specially with e-pubers.
Glad ta hear ya don't think POTC meets Charmed is too outdated... Ta be truthful, I never watched Charmed! But I know the premise...
Ya have given me a tough assignment. GMC for both characters in 5-7 lines... OK! I work on it!
Helli, me old pal me old beauty!
Don't get yer knickers in such a twist me luvee!
Chance knows I was only ah pullin of er leg wee the hill billies.
Every nation breeds a few dumbos and sounds as though you found one of ours....or perhaps he was just pulling your leg. *grin*
Thinking of mule trains, only last week I saw a pony and trap carrying a bride to her wedding. She looked beautiful in that setting, so romantic and Olde Worldly.
If I'm travelling open top though, I would prefer a Morgan sports any day!
Chance and Sin, you wouldn't really send that monkey again would you?
Oh lord! :shock:
Think of it this way, Q, you can experiment on the little creature. He's dead already so where would be the harm?
LOL!
That high concept thing gets me every time. I have no high concept. I'm not sure I have a low concept for that matter.....
I say Chance needs to give us some pitch examples. Whatta ya got? Surely we can all come up with something irrestitible!
I say if Q wants to take his chances on experimenting with the monkey, all my best to him.
I'll put a fifth of my best scotch in your casket dear.
But wouldn't it be fun to say *our* undead monkey was the first to go through the worm hole? LOL!
But you have a concept Ter. The altitude doesn't matter. :)
Personally, I likes low concept...
Hmmm. Post me basic pitch? I'll dig it outta me archives...in the other computer...
Ever noticed whatever ya wants is always in the 'other' whatever? Q? There must be a chaos theory that fits that sitch'ation...
Undead Monkey Makes Miracle Voyage Through Virgin Wormhole! Film at 11!
I had to add the virgin...jus' seems right!
Fer the sis, who be followin' long. G=Goals, M=Motivations, C=Conflict.
Lessen Sin steered me wrong on that...which she might!
You got it right, Chance. *waves to Last Chance*
Thanks, Marn. LOL! Now if you could just tell me what my concept is I'd be much obliged.
Q has got to name that worm hole the Glittery Hooha in our honor! We all know the virgin ones always have the most glitter. ;)
I be headin' out ta walk me Bonnie dog. Jane-o is on the road to Orlando, so I know she won't be raidin' the bar...
*eyes the crowsnest, where Sin lurks
Keep in mind, I be plannin' on workin' a recipe fer a new drink... the Mine is Bigger... So don't be messin' wit' me bottles!
To those who hang about late...I be diggin' out me pitch postcards and puttin' 'em up fer evaluation... Or there be tomorrow, it bein' a blind day. And I don't leave fer the airport till late afternoon...
I like that I'm always referred to as the "lurker". Yeesh, I'm not staring you down from afar.
I swear.
Just make sure the plane's not going over MO. I can't promise you anything if it does.
Q, just shows what you know: I'm not wearing knickers! So there!
I'm a little touchy about my accent. And my laugh, really...so I get a little fiercesome about it.
I don't think he was kidding--I love British droll humor--and he was too excited and sincere sounding at the prospect I shared breathing air (if not more) with Andy Williams, the man was positively beside himself.
*LOL* I don't think I asked him if he knew Colin Firth or Hugh Grant, or any of the other British actors I adore and know...I think I assumed he wouldn't know. *LOL* I should have though; turnabout is fair play.
I can imagine that conversation...
Andy Williams?
Colin Firth?
Like an ocean liner meeting up with a Starship. Two different worlds, LOL!
Sin, ya knows ya love ta lurk. Even when ya ain't lurkin'. Ya was born ta be a lurkin' low down ninja... Embrace it!
OK, crew and visitors... This be the meat and potatos of me pitch...
Imagine a world where the adventure of Pirates of the Caribbean meets the magic of Charmed. This is the book I have written. A Caribbean Spell is a romantic paranormal adventure of approximately 85,000 words. It’s the first in a series though it can stand alone.
Miranda O’Neil lost her 20th century life to a devastating earthquake. Her grief opens a new talent within her, to walk between the worlds of time and space. Seeking a cause to die for, she stumbles upon the Caribbean of Jack Reynard, where pirates sail through magical seas…
Miranda is a wounded woman. Tho appearing merry and in control, the guilt of survival drives her to take desperate chances. Going up against an evil sorceress is right up her alley. What begins as nothing more than a simple liaison with Reynard to keep her magical energy primed, raises questions she isn’t prepared for.
Reynard is a consummate pirate and raising sail to save the world is the last thing he expects to be caught up in. But if that is what it takes to keep the fascinating witch he’s rescued, then so be it. Falling in love is not part of the plan. He didn’t build his profitable reputation on doing good deeds and trust doesn’t come easy.
But trust and luck is something these two need if they are to survive and master A Caribbean Spell.
Good--but I'm pretty sure most are going to say: "You need to cut it down."
This reads like a good query letter more than the pitch. A pitch is more on the pithy side, I think.
Yeah, either I talk really fast or do the abridged version. I always write out long and then cut it down ta size when speakin'. Least wise, that's the plan...
I may cut out the bit about Miranda being a wounded woman...mayhaps insert something 'bout survival guilt into the first bit. Lookin' ta include her inner conflict. His bein' he don't trust. Her's bein' she suffers from survival guilt.
My website is up... Wee!
www.maureenobetita.com
Check it out, let me know what ya thinks!
Body language is important during a pitch too. Shake hands, sit forward and look her in the eyes. If that's too hard, look at a point between her eyes and she won't know the difference. :-)
The most important part of the pitch is the conflict (are you tired of me saying that yet?!) so get it in early.
Ask some good questions like:
What have you published recently that's really selling well? What's NOT selling well?
Do you have an author who has done an exceptional job at marketing their book(s)?
In your experience, what's the biggest obstacle to buying a new author? Is there anything an author can do to reduce or remove this obstacle?
You're gonna be great!
Cheers, Julie
Chance,
I don't know a lot about pitching. The thought of pitching and writing synopsis letters makes me break out in hives. I look at a pitch like a salesman sells a shiny new car. I like cars that have all the bells and whistles, or something my current car doesn't have. I think agents and publishers are looking for the same. Something fresh and different, and your story has it in spades. As Sin mentioned I think interview skills and confidence go hand in hand. As much as you believe in your story, I'm sure that passion will show when you pitch. Good luck to you! I'll say a pirate prayer:)
Hellie is right, definitely need to cut that back. Another tip from the workshop I remember was that the romance is implied, so when you pitch you focus on everything else. Summing it up to include a big event sends Miranda traveling through time, the Caribbean and the pirates to reveal the setting, and definitely the sorceress. Throwing in the twist that working together leads to more than these two planned should bring it all together.
Love the website!
Thanks fer checkin' in Julie! I be scribblin' me notes agin, keepin' in mind all ye taught in the online query class...
Lisa! I gots all the bells and whistles? Yer sweet...
Terrio. Yer savin' me ass. Pithy and to the point, more notes bein' scribbled...
All in all, a rewardin' day on the Revenge!
And thanks fer the website praise... I bow to me pal Barbara and her thoughtful gesture in December that got me movin' forward wit' it.
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