Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Pitchin’ Pirate
- Have ya any idea how tired I be, Captain?
- Don’t care, Chance. Suck it up and blog about pitching or I’ll throw you off the ship.
* Sigh
Nah, she didn’t threaten ta throw me off the ship, though I have no doubt if I disobeyed a direct order she’d find something diabolical ta assign me. Like writing a Harry Potter metaphor. (She’d enjoy doing that, ya know. I wouldn’t. More power ta Cpt. Hel!)
So, as ya all know, I be returned from the Romantic Times Convention in Columbus, where I took the publishing world by storm and am now a totally returned ta ya as a bonifide success.
I wish.
But I did do good. I pitched me heart out. Selling three unsuspectin’ ladies on reading me epic, The Kraken’s Mirror and one a’ those three wants ta see The Changed World in addition! Huzzahs!
How, are ya askin’, did the silly bartender from the Revenge manage such a stupendous bit a’ sneaker-ee?
Months a’ planning, plotting, and nagging the Bo’sun ta help me with pitching and synopsis writing. (I planned, ya know, ta be ready ta submit supersonic fast. So, yes, synopsis done. Fer both! I bought somethin’ special fer the Bo’sun, if I can jus’ entice the slippery thing inta a bottle…)
What truly be the secret a’ me success?
Buttons.
I’m gonna credit me buttons. I went nowhere without me Romance Writer’s Revenge button, including me personal motto, “Writing with Piratitude” plus a few other pirate style buttons. (I gots me a button making machine ‘bout two months ago and am now insane fer making buttons.) Anyone want a button made?
*wink
*twitch, wink
(Yes, I have made some new Revenge buttons and will have them out there for whoever would like one soon… Any other design or motto ideas? Sin and I were working on some ideas…speak up!)
Me buttons gave me confidence. Gave me the secret little bit a’ power that radiated from me ‘bout me pirate epics. I’m sure me eyes glowed and no, it weren’t the Rum Runners, though they were REALLY good. (The Changed World may not be about pirates, but I do have a tall ship in it… Never write without something of a fantatsical bit a’ sailing in the plot….that be me. Or rum, I like writing about rum. All that taste testing ta make it authentic…)
One by one, I beguiled the ladies, two editors, one agent – actually I suppose it be two agents as there were sharing the table, though they be with the same agency – but I digress…
One by one, I beguiled the ladies with me pirate charm, mentioned me own personal genre, piratepunk and watched eyes light up. As a matter a’ fact, when I approached the agents table, where I had been planning ta pitch me futuristic urban fantasy, The Changed World, one turned ta the other and said, “We need more pirate stories.”
I be one lucky pirate.
I sat and calmly said, “Well, I were planning on pitching me urban fantasy but I have a romantic pirate fantasy also. What would ya like ta hear?” (No, I didn’t use me pirate voice, though I think they might have enjoyed it. Maybe next time.)
Long story short, I was told both. And both were requested, by both agents. Double score!
Ta be serious, what is the secret of successful pitching? Believe in yourself, enjoy what you be talking about. If ya love yer character, say so. If you love your world, say so. If you love the publisher or the agent in front of ya, say so. If you are saying hi from a certain pirate to an old friend, do so. If yer beta reader be someone ya think they’ll know, tell them. (Hi! Scapegoat!) (Yes, they knew you!)
In other words, do anything to be charming and witty and establish connection. I told one editor that her publisher is my dream publisher. (It is.) I told her I’d been reading their books for decades. (I have.) I told her I’d be stalking her at conferences for years until I found something she liked. (I will.) And she smiled, saying, “I’ll be here!”
I were an honest pirate. I sold meself as much as me stories and in the months ahead, I’ll discover if me writing be up ta the story I told at me pitches.
Now, me cohort? She pitched differently. No scheduled appointments. Her brand a sneaker-ee be different. She volunteered and just happened to mention, many times, ta various connected people, that she be a writer… Yes, she received requests and suggestions and help. From authors, editors and agents.
I wore a pirate hat to three out of four evening parties. She wore a lampshade to one. She got into everything early, as a volunteer. I got in first at the door because I went early so she could volunteer and was first in line. AND I DIDN’T HAVE TO WORK!!!
Now, who was smarter?
On top a’ the requests for this year, I be happy to report that one editor who I never heard back from regarding last year’s request, told me to send her an e-mail and remind her. Include the e-mail and approx. date I sent it. She will search for it and let me know. In other words? A do-over.
(Thank you again, Scapegoat! I never did run into Heather at the bar, but I will see about scheduling a time to get her drunk…did I say that out-loud? ... at the Nationals.)
So, me crewmates! What is me best advice fer successful pitching? Be clever, be confident, where nice shoes…brand new shoes bought just days beforehand, put on just around the corner from the pitch tables, replacing the sloppy comfortable sandals scant seconds before the pitch…
Also wear a pirate coat if possible.
I advise it be purple.
Yes, I believe my appearance is important. Jane heard an editor talk about how she hated it when authors got all gussied up to pitch. I don’t go that far. (No silk stockings…though if you were writing something with silk stockings as an important prop…why not?) I do believe in adding touches of what you write to your appearance. Why not give a peek at how you would assist in the marketing of your story? Even if I’m not pitching pirates, I still dress nice. Not like soap-opera-diva-photo-shoot, but nice!
I already knew the woman I was pitching to would appreciate a professional appearance when pitching. I’d read her book.
Easiest way to be subtle about the link to you and your book/characters? Pins. If not motto/slogan pins, then nice tasteful pins or jewelry of some sort. Your heroine is a gardener? A flower pin. Your hero is the devil? Pitchfork pin. I tell you these things are out there! And I believe worth that little nudge to show your willingness to play along with marketing. So…
OK, all jokes aside. I was confident. I made it clear that I loved my characters, that I had created something different. That I wanted to work to make these stories right for the houses I pitched to. All of them are houses I believe in. The agent charmed me right back, btw. I wandered a bit in the basic pitch…took three lines and made them about nine lines. I did not bwah ha ha this time, but I did use a line from Julie… “Old enough to know what she likes and young enough to still do it.”
Thank you, Julie.
Piratepunk is my genre. And I am damned proud of that.
Any questions for the master pitcher? HA!
And I had an awesome time this year. I laughed more than I have in years. The parties were fun, the elevators were quick and I got to walk around Columbus and visit the replica of Christopher Columbus’ ship, the Santa Maria. And I got to pose with a bunch of cavemen…
;-)
(Side note, all requested materials have been sent out with suitably charming letters and offers to buy drinks in Orlando. That extra week helped, thanks fer stepping in Mags and being our guest last Friday. Took me the entire week ta feel back in focus again. As focused as I get!)
- Don’t care, Chance. Suck it up and blog about pitching or I’ll throw you off the ship.
* Sigh
Nah, she didn’t threaten ta throw me off the ship, though I have no doubt if I disobeyed a direct order she’d find something diabolical ta assign me. Like writing a Harry Potter metaphor. (She’d enjoy doing that, ya know. I wouldn’t. More power ta Cpt. Hel!)
So, as ya all know, I be returned from the Romantic Times Convention in Columbus, where I took the publishing world by storm and am now a totally returned ta ya as a bonifide success.
I wish.
But I did do good. I pitched me heart out. Selling three unsuspectin’ ladies on reading me epic, The Kraken’s Mirror and one a’ those three wants ta see The Changed World in addition! Huzzahs!
How, are ya askin’, did the silly bartender from the Revenge manage such a stupendous bit a’ sneaker-ee?
Months a’ planning, plotting, and nagging the Bo’sun ta help me with pitching and synopsis writing. (I planned, ya know, ta be ready ta submit supersonic fast. So, yes, synopsis done. Fer both! I bought somethin’ special fer the Bo’sun, if I can jus’ entice the slippery thing inta a bottle…)
What truly be the secret a’ me success?
Buttons.
I’m gonna credit me buttons. I went nowhere without me Romance Writer’s Revenge button, including me personal motto, “Writing with Piratitude” plus a few other pirate style buttons. (I gots me a button making machine ‘bout two months ago and am now insane fer making buttons.) Anyone want a button made?
*wink
*twitch, wink
(Yes, I have made some new Revenge buttons and will have them out there for whoever would like one soon… Any other design or motto ideas? Sin and I were working on some ideas…speak up!)
Me buttons gave me confidence. Gave me the secret little bit a’ power that radiated from me ‘bout me pirate epics. I’m sure me eyes glowed and no, it weren’t the Rum Runners, though they were REALLY good. (The Changed World may not be about pirates, but I do have a tall ship in it… Never write without something of a fantatsical bit a’ sailing in the plot….that be me. Or rum, I like writing about rum. All that taste testing ta make it authentic…)
One by one, I beguiled the ladies, two editors, one agent – actually I suppose it be two agents as there were sharing the table, though they be with the same agency – but I digress…
One by one, I beguiled the ladies with me pirate charm, mentioned me own personal genre, piratepunk and watched eyes light up. As a matter a’ fact, when I approached the agents table, where I had been planning ta pitch me futuristic urban fantasy, The Changed World, one turned ta the other and said, “We need more pirate stories.”
I be one lucky pirate.
I sat and calmly said, “Well, I were planning on pitching me urban fantasy but I have a romantic pirate fantasy also. What would ya like ta hear?” (No, I didn’t use me pirate voice, though I think they might have enjoyed it. Maybe next time.)
Long story short, I was told both. And both were requested, by both agents. Double score!
Ta be serious, what is the secret of successful pitching? Believe in yourself, enjoy what you be talking about. If ya love yer character, say so. If you love your world, say so. If you love the publisher or the agent in front of ya, say so. If you are saying hi from a certain pirate to an old friend, do so. If yer beta reader be someone ya think they’ll know, tell them. (Hi! Scapegoat!) (Yes, they knew you!)
In other words, do anything to be charming and witty and establish connection. I told one editor that her publisher is my dream publisher. (It is.) I told her I’d been reading their books for decades. (I have.) I told her I’d be stalking her at conferences for years until I found something she liked. (I will.) And she smiled, saying, “I’ll be here!”
I were an honest pirate. I sold meself as much as me stories and in the months ahead, I’ll discover if me writing be up ta the story I told at me pitches.
Now, me cohort? She pitched differently. No scheduled appointments. Her brand a sneaker-ee be different. She volunteered and just happened to mention, many times, ta various connected people, that she be a writer… Yes, she received requests and suggestions and help. From authors, editors and agents.
I wore a pirate hat to three out of four evening parties. She wore a lampshade to one. She got into everything early, as a volunteer. I got in first at the door because I went early so she could volunteer and was first in line. AND I DIDN’T HAVE TO WORK!!!
Now, who was smarter?
On top a’ the requests for this year, I be happy to report that one editor who I never heard back from regarding last year’s request, told me to send her an e-mail and remind her. Include the e-mail and approx. date I sent it. She will search for it and let me know. In other words? A do-over.
(Thank you again, Scapegoat! I never did run into Heather at the bar, but I will see about scheduling a time to get her drunk…did I say that out-loud? ... at the Nationals.)
So, me crewmates! What is me best advice fer successful pitching? Be clever, be confident, where nice shoes…brand new shoes bought just days beforehand, put on just around the corner from the pitch tables, replacing the sloppy comfortable sandals scant seconds before the pitch…
Also wear a pirate coat if possible.
I advise it be purple.
Yes, I believe my appearance is important. Jane heard an editor talk about how she hated it when authors got all gussied up to pitch. I don’t go that far. (No silk stockings…though if you were writing something with silk stockings as an important prop…why not?) I do believe in adding touches of what you write to your appearance. Why not give a peek at how you would assist in the marketing of your story? Even if I’m not pitching pirates, I still dress nice. Not like soap-opera-diva-photo-shoot, but nice!
I already knew the woman I was pitching to would appreciate a professional appearance when pitching. I’d read her book.
Easiest way to be subtle about the link to you and your book/characters? Pins. If not motto/slogan pins, then nice tasteful pins or jewelry of some sort. Your heroine is a gardener? A flower pin. Your hero is the devil? Pitchfork pin. I tell you these things are out there! And I believe worth that little nudge to show your willingness to play along with marketing. So…
OK, all jokes aside. I was confident. I made it clear that I loved my characters, that I had created something different. That I wanted to work to make these stories right for the houses I pitched to. All of them are houses I believe in. The agent charmed me right back, btw. I wandered a bit in the basic pitch…took three lines and made them about nine lines. I did not bwah ha ha this time, but I did use a line from Julie… “Old enough to know what she likes and young enough to still do it.”
Thank you, Julie.
Piratepunk is my genre. And I am damned proud of that.
Any questions for the master pitcher? HA!
And I had an awesome time this year. I laughed more than I have in years. The parties were fun, the elevators were quick and I got to walk around Columbus and visit the replica of Christopher Columbus’ ship, the Santa Maria. And I got to pose with a bunch of cavemen…
;-)
(Side note, all requested materials have been sent out with suitably charming letters and offers to buy drinks in Orlando. That extra week helped, thanks fer stepping in Mags and being our guest last Friday. Took me the entire week ta feel back in focus again. As focused as I get!)
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119 comments:
Congratulations, Chance! And good luck, hope we hear some good news from you soon.
Thanks, Renee! Any questions or experiences of your own to add?
So far, I've had positive experiences with the in-person pitch, but I do know of others who've faced hard rejection. And yes, I've been told no thanks but it has always been politely done and with great courtesy.
Well done Chance!
First impressions are all important and By Golly those editors aren't going to forget you in a hurry.
Quite brilliant. I do love a gal who can make an entrance!
If one of your pirate characters had a wooden leg, I just know that you would pitch wearing a peg leg with a parrot on your shoulder swearing "shiver me timbers" .... the parrot that is. *grin*
I'm confidant that those editors will be just as impressed with writing. Miranda will charm their socks off just like you ... assuming that editors wear socks of course.
If it was my decision I would sign you up on the spot and have you enlisted for promotion tours and TV presentations.
When you see the Real McCoy, you have to give it the works :D
Congrats on the interest, Chance! :)
Pitching is fun. Stressful, but fun. And it's always great to fill a niche.
Keep us posted on how things go with these. :)
Congratulations, Chance! It sounds as if the RT conference was both productive and fun for you. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you have more good news to share soon.
Great job! And I love how you branded yourself as writing "piratepunk"! That is marvelous! (And gorgeous shoes, by the way!)
How did you come up with your "brand"? And do you have any tips to the rest of us for coming up with our own brands?
Oh, and I want to add that 2nd sent me a sample of the stuff she was handing out as "promos"--the buttons, which I adored!, and a cute little booklet with a few of our "greatest hits" blogs. I loved the cover! So cool!
Don't you love how everyone is keeping their own pitching experiences to themselves? LOL!
WTG, Chance! I loved getting all the text message updates as things happened. And can't wait to do this together in Orlando. I haven't pitched anything since 2007 and I really care about this project so I'm going to be extra nervous. I'm counting on you to hold me up!
And I'm definitely going to need a sock monkey button. Love my Bo'Sun Terrio Button!
Chance is definitely the chief marketer on this vessel. And I can't believe I forgot to mention the shoes. Those are so cute. Must do the shoe switcheroo before my pitches since I can't wear the pretty shoes for more than a few minutes.
Hellie - You must pitch in a toga when you get around to it. LOL!
Right. A toga. That would only confuse people. They would be all excited that a pitch about ROME would be coming up and bam, "Oh."
Quantom, hmmmmm... Parrot on shoulder... Well, might consider a parrot pin... Something nice and tasteful, but bright!
Thanks fer the encouragement. Slide on up ta the bar and have a scotch!
Marnee - I'm always so terrified as I approach the pitch area. I guess, though my responses have been positive, I do hear of those not-so-nice experiences and worry 'bout the day I get one a' those.
Odds are, it will happen eventually.
Thanks!
Have you done the in person pitch? How did you get through it?
Janga - Ah, from yer lips ta the ears a' the publishing gods...
I hope this won't be another year a' feeling like nothing happened from me pitches.
I decided, that day, that even if nothing moved forward...it had been a good day. Period.
Hel - Aren't those the cutest shoes?
Squeeeee! Jane and I found those at that temple of consumer goods, the Mall of America. At first, I thought they didn't fit. Then Jane said, "You need heel inserts."
"What?"
Now I know why so many shoes don't seem to work for me! I have narrow heels! Bless Jane!
Branding meself with piratepunk... Well, you know me enthusiasm for the steampunk convention I went ta a few months back... I knew I wasn't writing steampunk, not enough steam and made up gadgets. I tried on steampirate, but it didn't fit. Made me think of pirate ships powered by steam, and though I think that's been done...not by me.
I like wind.
So...playing with words I coined piratepunk. Pirate had ta be first. Punk because I break expectations and go where no man has gone before. (I doubt that, but it sure sounds good!)
Everyone knows how I struggle with genre. So, screw it... I invented my own.
Which didn't answer your question... How to come up with a brand of your own?
I sorta answered that, indirectly...
Play with words. Play with your favorite words that describe what you write. Even if it neatly fits into a genre classification, there be something 'bout it that is unique.
Piratepunk made eyes light up...
I could see something like... Redeeming the Devil as your confident claim, for example. A sort of play on Redemption Stories...without the inspirational sweetness.
Ewwww I wants a button!
Actually I said want , but the computer said want’s . So I left it. Who am I to argue with a higher intelligence? Besides, it sounds more Piratitude. Or as my computer puts it … practical.
Anyway Yes Chance, I wants a teeny-tiny button to wear on my collar. One that says “ if you can read this you are much too close!”
Isn't that the coolest thing ever? That cover? I promise to feature her in a blog eventually. Now, the big surprise...she's a rubber stamp! A big huge, difficult to get clear rubber stamp. But I finally got a good one so now she's a jpeg!
Bo'sun - Eye... I'm noticing no one else is speaking a' their pitch experiences... Come on! Let's take the fear out of it!
Sock monkey? Is there something 'bout this current project ya aint' sharring with me? ;) Though with that new commercial featuring the lifesize sock monkey, I imagine there will be items out there fer purchase featuring him and his knitted on tattoo...
Or I could make a button...
Now, a toga might confuse...(I know I'm confused...what does a toga have to do with redeeming Lucifer? Different book?)
But a nice one shoulder showing shirt... Or strappy sandals. Lots of nice drapey shirts out there right now that would slant the mind toward the toga idea...
Or a nice pin, with something Grecian on it.
Julie - The buttons all come the same size, sweetie. 1.75 inches. Which isn't too big, but isn't too small. But I could make you one that size with very small print...
Yer computer tries ta fix yer posts? I think that computer gots too much power!
I guess I'm the only one who pictures them wearing togas in the Garden of Eden?
Fine.
My heroine wears sock monkey pajamas in the book, they play an interesting part during the cavorting, and then again at the end.
So, me brand for this one is the sock monkey. And I love that commercial, but that giant dildo looking one creeps me out. WTH is that supposed to be?
No, they wear togas, Bo'sun. But I'm pretty sure you and I are the only ones who think so. *LOL*
I'm not redeeming Lucy in this book. This is not his book.
Ah! That's why the togas? OK, I always figured they wore nothing at all, or fig leaves.
Now, ta represent the Garden of Eden, I'd find an apple with a serpent wound about it. Though the magic a' the internet, it's probably out there and can be found.
Sorry, Cap'n...I thought ya were redeeming the bad man in this book. Showing off some slightly redeemable characteristics?
Giant dildo looking one ... Yeah, wonder where that brilliant idea came from. Trying ta slip in some sex inta a commercial 'bout kids toys taking the car out fer a spin.
*rolls eyes
It's a bit...off-putting.
Sock monkey pjs...hmmmm. I jus' know there be a way ta tie that inta the marketing...
Chance, my first pitch occurred when I had only been writing less than a year. I had no idea what a polished manuscript was. Mine was finished, it wasn't polished.
My local writer's group (non-RWA) held a mini-conference with Leah Hultenschmidt and Gemma Halliday. The first thing I said during my pitch to Leah was, "You don't look like you have dragon claws." I was that scared of editors. I had that imagine of hard core, down right mean in my head. Leah is this tiny thing, quiet, not dragon-like at all. During my pitch, my cell phone rang. Of course, I didn't know how to turn it off (I had only had a day). And of course, hubs being obsessed with trying to get a hold of me, and his tendency to NOT listen to me about what time to pick me up, the phone kept ringing, and ringing, and ringing. I apologized and I sat on it! I got the request, that was almost three years ago and I've never heard back, which is okay since I know now it was far from a polished manuscript. It was my first pitch, which everyone encouraged me to do for practice. I didn't expect a request.
D.C. was a much different experience. I still hem-hawed, even though I knew my lines. I'm just one of those people who tends to feel inferior around others. But I came away from D.C. with more confidence than when I arrived. And I got several requests for two different manuscripts. No, I never sent them off. Again, the one was in the middle of drastic changes. The other, the agent knew was far from finished (she had requested it earlier knowing it only had one chapter done. A fluke, I tell you) but I know when it's done she wants to see it.
Congrats, 2nd!
I'm raising my tankard to you receiving multiple requests and a bidding war.
Those shoes are awesome.
The big red character in that commercial is a character from the show Yo Gabba Gabba show. (It's big with preschoolers.)
Will you have buttons in Orlando?
Di
I just had a shoegasm. I must have those shoes. You must share the shoe love. The heel isn't quite up to snuff, but patent and quilted... oh, how I love thee shoe.
I dunno what I missed in the comments but the only thing I saw was the giant dildo looking one and figured we must be talking about the ship wheel again. It's like a pirate porn gone wrong.
Renee - Well, ya gots the experience and that is certainly the start of being really ready when the day comes. And ya made nice. I bet your sitting on the phone was a memory maker!
I'm figuring on making more appointments to pitch in Orlando... Just trying to figure out to who and even then...might not matter. Who has openings will likely be who I pitch to!
Di!
buttons?
*twitch
*wink twitch
Course I'll have buttons in Orlando. What da ya want? ;)
Aw, so the character isn't meant ta be phallic. He was just imagined that way...
Wordpress is having a pissy day. Keeps telling me I already said something it keeps balking at posting. Cantankerous program...
Sin - Ya got discerning eyes...for both the shoes and the comments. Trust ya to go straight ta the phallic ones!
Shoes came from DSW, in their back room, where all the orphaned for sale shoes are, so good luck!
I call them my berry shoes and the heel isn't bad!
Making note to hit DSW this weekend.
*googles Yo Gabba Gabba*
I'm sorry, but that's a walking dildo. He even has those little bumps. I bet there's a labeled on his ass reading "ribbed for her pleasure".
Renee - Right now I want to shake those requests out of you and drop them in the mail myself.
I've been trying to figure out who to pitch to in Orlando as well, but since I get last pickins', Chance is right. It's going to be whoeever is left.
I think that computer gots too much power!
Yep, my computer does have to much power. It's a real Dictator. Literally!
Chance, I’ m training my computer on “dictation”. It’s hysterical. When the dog barked the computer picked up on the sounds & wrote “roof rolls”.
The first time I said exclamation point The Computer wrote “excise and white”.
Doesn’t that sound like a law firm?
I believe that I will be Excise. Don’t you think that I would make A Great Excisexorcist? Or as my computer likes to call it “acts or cyst”. Who wants to be white?
Help a girl out. What is DSW?
Bosun! Ribbed fer her pleasure!? What a hussy ya are!
It doesn't stand for anything, Sin. LOL! The store is actually called DSW Shoes.
Julie - Sounds like yer taming a dragon... always wondered what one of those programs would do with a bark or meow...
www.dsw.com
Step into shoe heaven.
I think...DSW stands for Direct Shoe Warehouse, but they are online, so all hope isn't lost if you don't have one near you, Sin.
Let me go see if I the shoes have a brand name on them to help in a search...
Franco Sarto...and I can't read the numbers on the inside, too worn away already. They are really comfortable shoes!
Argh, WTF. Shoe heaven and we don't have one? That's fcked up.
Ah, seems like a good time to take off and walk the dog as the east coasters take time out for lunch...
Sorry, Cap’n…I thought ya were redeeming the bad man in this book. Showing off some slightly redeemable characteristics?
Stop calling him bad. And no, mainly I'm showing his more colorful characteristics.
DSW is where I got the shoes for a certain wedding I attended last May, Sin.
That's AWESOME! I'm so excited for you! I love the idea "pirate punk".
I've officially booked everything for RWA in Orlando. This is my first nationals and I’m completely nervous—already!!
Still working on my pitch. I have no idea…
*stumbles in*
Sorry, pirates -- rough night, but not for any interesting reason! LOL I'll just try to revise it to sound more intriguing. LOL
Chance, love the pics, love the buttons, DEFINITELY love the shoes. And I love how you grabbed those opportunities when they presented themselves! It also sounds like you had FUN, which I think is an important way to set yourselves apart from all the other pitchers. Great job (and great report!)
IMO
The key to good marketing is Salesmanship and Statesmanship.
If you want to Sell your product, Then you have to State your case.
So come up with a line ( a slogan really) that “states” what you are “selling” . Hellion, doesn’t your story take place in Las Vegas? Maybe you want to try something like …
What happens when …
The original sinners meet sin city.
or
What happens when …The Original Sinners meet the Original Sin City.
I know that you probably have a hundred ideas floating around you head. You just have to let your mind wander & Work it out.
Just make sure that your tag line is short and memorable enough for your target audience to remember.
If they remember your line, then there is a better chance that they will remember you.
Jeez
Since I’m on a rant-or-a-roll-or-whatever I wanna go back to my original statement :
The key to good marketing is Salesmanship and Statesmanship.
This is my tag line btw. I love using this line when I explain marketing* to people. Its pretty self explanatory. And the word Statesmanship helps to reinforce the importance of behaving like … a Statesman. I always tell people to keep in mind that they are selling not only their product ( in this case your book) but also themselves.
Think yourself as an Ambassador for the thing you want to sell. And like an ambassador you should be always be diplomatic, polite, and politically savvy (ie know what the folks your are selling to are looking for).
Hello M., just stopping by! I haven't pitched anything yet, but I'm confident that I'll be good at it, with practice. I am great at interviews, and essentially a pitch is a form of interview! Good luck, hope you sell your story! :)
* = Marketing? In this case “marketing” is a polite term for : how does Julie get her way.
SIN uses the term … manipulative.
I call it being Diplomatic and Charming! LOL
And to answer your question, Donna.
Yes.
Once upon a time I did use my charm to charm the masses. But that, my dear, is another story ...
LOL - did I ask a question? I don't remember! My head still hurts from being awakened by that damned chain saw/wood chipper torture combo -- at 7 a.m. Yeesh.
Cap'n - Well, colorful is good! Hmmmm, gots ta wrap me brain around a good brand with that idea... Give me time!
Aye, Donna...don't know how I managed not to do another bwah ha ha moment, but I did nearly cackle. Need to work on my cackle. Or a good snicker.
My gods, if it isn't fun what the hell are we doing any of it for?
I am not a mashochist, must be fun tops me list of criteria. And sometimes being a bit scared is fun!
Riley! Thanks fer stopping by as you recuperate. I know you'll do great when ya do start pitching. For one thing, you gots a great smile!
Julie - love the sin city tie in...
And yes, be diplomatic, but if you screw up, just smile and be humble about how you're not perfect. Don't beat yourself up if you use the wrong character name, just oops, back up and smile.
No snarky smiles, or trembling smiles, just an oops smile. Trust me. I oops a lot!
And Finally
I know... you were Thinking the Same Thing!
but I did use a line from Julie… “Old enough to know what she likes and young enough to still do it.”
Thank you, Julie.
From one Old enough to Another: Glad that you found a use for it, M. Give 'em hell! And congrats upon the Successful pitching!
I generally have a bad taste in me mouth in regards ta the idea of marketing. Mainly because I think they might hold a bit too much power in the decision making processes and lets admit it, with the right 'pitch' one could sell ice to eskimos.
It is a talent that is abused wa-a-a-a-a-a-ay too often.
But I know you only use your power for good, Julie. ;)
That branding tag line is going to be a struggle for me. I have my own line I put on my business cards.
Healing Broken Hearts One Book At A Time
But that's not specific enough to attach to this book. I've thrown around the "Pride & Prejudice meets Bull Durham" concept tag, but I may have strayed from those references at this point.
I'll have to worry about it when the time comes. This story is about learning to trust and maybe a little of that line from Moulin Rouge about learning to love and be loved in return.
Chance said: But I know you only use your power for good, Julie.
Julie said: Yes. My sisters and I had to take an oath to serve only the interests of The Common Man. Lest the balance of World Power spin out of control. Which would cause the fate of the Universe to fall into Evil Hands.
They made me promise not to show any cleavage either. So I’m pretty much not marketing or manipulating anything.
I like your tag line for the business cards. Nice and all encompassing. So, you need to move in some mending into the line for this book.
Healing, mending, learning...all nice concepts.
How 'bout teaching the teacher? A lesson she needed to learn... Ooops, that might stray into erotica.
Damn, now I have that song in my head. What was it? "Hot For Teacher"?
Oh God, now the video is playing in my head!
I am so insanely proud of you Chance! You're getting a HUGE hug at RWA even if you don't want one. :)
Those buttons rock!
Sorry, but I don't have a pitch story yet. (At least not for my own work - life as a book publicist for a few years meant I pitched a ton of books to media and also to book buyers. Way easier to pitch someone else's work).
As if Chance would turn down a hug. Ha!
I never thought of putting the learning thing into the story pitch. That is so perfect. I'm not sure how to use it, but I know I could figure it out.
You are so good at this!
Man, a pledge to not show cleavage is an evil thing! Even if those babies are always locked and loaded!
Scapegoat, ya be ready by Orlando and you'll do great! Room with Ter and I and we'll make sure ya be all polished and perfect afore you go talk to people you already know!
LOL!
Sabrina knows everyone. So does Terri. I'm designing a new button for myself... "I'm with Terri and Sabrina"
Terri - Just slap me a few times so I can get that guy out of my head, coming close with those wide eyes singing... "hot for teacher..."
"I've got my pencil...!"
AHHHHHHHHH!
Who is that? Sammy Hagar?
Chance, I *think* it was David Lee Roth -- pre-Sammy Hagar days.
Don't know why I know this. LOL I'm not really a Van Halen fan.
And I just had a thought about pitching -- I was perusing some things on Netflix, and thought about how the DVD covers are designed not only to catch your interest, BUT to encapsulate the story, so you can decide in a few seconds if it interests you. I was wondering if it was possible to do something like that with a pitch.
Of course, I'm hoping somebody ELSE can do it, not me. LOL
That's Van Halen and thank you, now it's playing in my head as well.
"I've got it bad, got it bad, got it bad...."
See, I knew it was Van Halen, but I thought this song was with David L. Roth...wait! Did I just bring that out of my head? Not Sammy Hagar, but Roth! Ha!
Amazing that stuff that hides up there and pops out...
Donna - Yeah, I think that whole marketing thing is about the hook and blurb. I always think of the big movie announcer voice...
In a world where...
If I can hear it that way, then I feel I'm going good.
If it don't make me laugh.
LOL -- that made me laugh, Chance. Thanks!
I always think of the big movie announcer voice… In a world where…
Ooooohhhhh I wanna do voice overs! If only! If only I had a microphone! If only I had something to pitch! If only ... I didn't sound like a chain-smoking-Transvestite!
;)
I used to watch all those movie trailors for scifi/fantasy and they all had that deep booming movie announcer voice...
Used to love to make things up...
In a world...where man is reduced to the size of ants... Who will win? The ant or the man?
See the spectacle of ANTMEN FROM MARS!!!
You know, there is a market for chain-smoking-transvestite voices...
I love how they scattered movie trailers into The Holiday whenever it was an update on Amanda's life. (Why yes, I did watch that movie again last weekend. Twice.)
I'm loving this idea. Writing a movie tag for the book seems easier for some reason. Odd how my brain works, but there you go.
I always want to start with the In a world... bit. Which any 'B' movie lover would instantly get. The rest? Not so much...
But I do think it's a great way to start working on a tagline/hook. How would the movie voice man pitch your movie/book to the audience?
I'll have to check out that movie again. I know I saw it once but haven't gone back to it. It's probably on my cable free movie list.
You know, there is a market for chain-smoking-transvestite voices…
Really? I'll send you my adition!
make that Audition!
I’m loving this idea. Writing a movie tag for the book seems easier for some reason.
It could be a blog post! LOL
I was thinking more for the anti-smoking campaigns... LOL! But now that I have my earbuds plugged in... I gotta find that Van Halen song...
Come on...join the torture...you'll never get it out of your head...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0XLKcMoXRE
How the hell did I do what!?
Donna - And don't be surprised when it turns up. LOL!
About half good, too. I can do better...
How'd you send your voice doing the ant man thing? I swear, I am so computer blind!
If we do a blog with the movie announcer voice, we need to do what Julie did and read it into the computer and post it...
LOL!
In a world, where sex is the ultimate magical power, Miranda lands in the middle of a pirate battle! See her save the day, only to fall into the clutches of love!
Hmmm, not half bad!
Ooooh, I've got to think of a "In a world where" blurb for my book.
I'll be back. LOL
I'm liking it, Chance! Sounds good too when its read out loud.
Crew - Julie is sending me these audo files... What a great idea for seeing how the blurb sounds!
That is a great idea -- except now I have to hire Julie to read mine -- cuz I don't like the sound of my voice on tape! LOL
OMG Donna, who says that I do!
Like my voice that is? I just know how To Annunciate my words.
I think ....
Its from all those years of talking to my children like
If. You. THINK. That. I. was. Put. on. This. Earth. To. Pick. UP. After. You. Then ...
In my house that just gets shorted to I AM NOT YOUR MAID!!!!!!!!
I could do this. . .but the dust bunnies would think I'm crazy. LOL
Jocularity! Jocularity! Such fun. But I must attend to the dog again. She's been a good girl out in that van but the sun has come out and it might be getting a bit hot in there. Be back after a lunch break, dog stroll and drive home!
Keep it up...see me over the century mark!
Fine, let be dangle, just seven short of making it to 100 comments...
BTW, I do know of another interesting way to boil down your pitch. Write it as a haiku!
Here, I'll get ya to 95. LOL And I was never very good at haiku -- I need more words than that!
Haiku?
Why God-bless-you, Chance.
That's what is sorta cool about just sticking to 17 syllables, really forces one to be concise and exact. I did one for The Kraken's Mirror...
She falls through the glass
Sails with Hollywood pirates
Discovers her self
Let me tell you something about last year. I was online ready to get my gals. I had researched and researched. As soon as they opened the pitch appointments I was there. I had to be one of the first ones, and there was nobody left. Well, nobody within my genre. So I took who I could, knowing that requests would most likely be nil. Not even two hours later, other agents and editors appeared, one was on the top of my list, but it was too late for me. I had already picked mine.
So, I guess that goes to show you, you never know. . . you could get one of your top five.
Oh, and to top it all off, I had gotten my pro invites later that same day. *rolls eyes* Always seem to be a day late and a dollar short. It's got to turn around one of these days, right?
Renee - You have to be on and dive in like a lottery or something? Sheesh, I didn't know that. I'm telling you, pitching to the janitor. That will be me.
Here, Chance, you are officially at the century mark. :)
OK, what are pro invites? And from the sounds of things, I might be better off to wait an hour or two before I try to register for an appointment?
Yup! 100+! Yippee!
Exactly what does 8am Central time translate to Pacific Standard Time? 6am?
So, I get to be groggy while making the dash for appointments... WEEEEEE!!!
Just saw a good blog on the art of pitching...check this one out, anyone who is still hanging around...
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2010/05/secrets-of-great-pitch.html
You got it right, 8a Central is 6a Pacific. And PRO invite means right after Renee made her appointments, she got PRO status. Which means she could have set her appointments several days earlier.
Wow, that is a great link for pitch advice. There are a couple tips in there I hadn't thought about. I can tell right now I'm going to be freaking over this come July. Prepare yourselves now.
Ah, so I already have my pro appointment status... Gotcha! I get to climb out of bed, on Monday, at 5:30 am, and get ready to scramble through a long convoluted process to reach the appointment area... Oh. Boy.
If I can get one of my top three, I'll give it a shot. Otherwise? I may just...hell. I'll get up and do it.
Blast.
I hate mornings.
I hate mornings too, Chance.
Any good posts on synopsis writing? I hate synopsis writing. I hate it, I hate it. :)
Oh, man. Me, too! It's gotten a little easier once I took the W Plot Class from Karen Doctor. Not for the actual plotting, but to build a platform to write a synopsis from? It works nice!
And that's another thing I'll be freaking about in July, Renee. LOL! Don't make me think about writing the synopsis today!
Someone needs to tell me how this pitch thing works. I can't sign up until the 24th. Do we go live on the RWA National site? I hate not knowing all this.
Bo'sun - with your awesome organization skills, the synopsis isn't going to be a problem for you. Hell, just stack up your post-its, in order, and write one sentence for each of them... And bam! It's done!
Terri, for the pitch appointments you have to be logged in. There will be a place that will tell you who has appointments available and a link for you to set your appointment. Then RWA will email you conformation. (At least that is how it was done last year)
Thanks, Renee. Chance was nice enough to forward me and email with all the steps as explained by the lovely RWA rep. At least 8a Central is 9a here. Which means I will have pretty much just gotten to work. I predict a morning of little work productivity on the 24th...
I can see you explaining all of that to your bosses...
They'll think you're playing an online game as you chase the elusive pitch appointments...
Wasn't that a nice little list of what to do? I read it and thought... What a lot to go thru! And I still think it's odd that there is no limit on the number of appointments one can make. If I read it right...
What? No limit? Last year we could only make one appointment with an agent and one appointment with an editor. Once we got to D.C. we could wait around and take appointments if somebody didn't show up. It'll be cool if you can make multiple appointments.
I didn't see a limit, but I can reread the release and see if I'm not seeing it right... Something I'm perfectly capable of doing!
OK, just reread it. I don't know, Renee, they do same editor and agent appointment so that might be it as far as a limit. By not adding the 's' to the word... If so, it's pretty nebulous in my opinion.
Gee, I hope the underline thing works!
And I meant to say they do say editor and agent appointment and underline the 't' but the underline didn't work.
I'll go with what you experienced last year, and plan on one of each... If there is more, then there is more!
Excellent work Chance! May ye be published by the next RT. Love the blog, and the comments are a fun read as well. Thanks for making it so entertaining. Also one last note, Sammy Hagar is actually quite nice. He's on my fb page! I'm a facebook addict, but anyhoo, thanks ladies!
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