Last week I came across this blog post from aspiring author Mercedes M. Yardley. In it, she describes her experience of “pitching” to me and makes me sound pretty nifty. Much more nifty than I actually believe I am. Actually, it’s a great firsthand experience of pitching and learning, so you should read it.
Anyway, since I am currently publisher agnostic (my new favorite term I’ve coined recently. My second favorite is Restless Reading Syndrome), but was committed to attending KillerCon in September, they asked me if I’d be willing to do pitch critiques instead of actual pitches (since I have no way of publishing anything pitched to me).
Now, I must be honest, I don’t like pitch sessions particularly well. I’m always offering to do other things at a conference in exchange for not doing pitch sessions. I’ve had too many experiences of terrible pitches, fantastic writing, and vice versa. I just want to see the submission and the writing. Also, it’s painful for me to be pitched by someone who has no idea who I am, who my company is or what we publish. And that happened a lot. But pitch critiques (which I only reluctantly agreed to do)? I found that I actually enjoyed pitch critiques a tremendous amount. So much so that I’d really love to turn it into a workshop and wish I could do pitch critique sessions for other conferences.
The feedback from those, in addition to Mercedes, who had the benefit of the pitch critiques, was excellent. Universally, I could see a lightbulb moment during our 10 minute session, where something I said connected, though it was different for each of them. And almost all of them told me later that they’d used what we’d talked about in later pitches. Seriously, it was almost as rewarding as acquiring and publishing a book. I’ve never made any secret of the fact that I’m a fan of new and aspiring authors, and pitch critiquing was a new way for me to help them learn a part of publishing that can be incredibly intimidating and overwhelming.
I think I’ll look more into this idea, maybe there are some groups/chapters out there interested in an online workshop based on the idea, but I’ll also put together a blog post on it if there seem to be people who want one more blog post on querying/pitching (I know there are a sea of them out there!)
Oh yes, please. An online workshop or something. I believe I can reach the point where my writing will stand on its own, but the reality of pitching it scares the bejeebers out of me. It combines all of the most bloodcurdling bits of public speaking and self-promotion.
Recently I had a pitch appointmnet scheduled at a conference. I found out the week before who the appointment was with and I knew I didn’t have material specifically for her, so I was going to give up the appointment (even though I have wanted to meet her face to face since meeting her online 9 yrs ago, lol). Luckily it was small conference, and the coordinator, said, just go in and chat if you’d like to keep the appointment. Boy was that the best 10 mintues, after a breif intro, she started asking questions, since what I had ready to pitch was category romance, we discussed the line, theme, possible series (which I already had blurbed), etc. Ended up she told me what I could do to make stronger – a few minor changes, how to package the query, etc. (and I got a request
I think this is a fantastic idea, no matter what way you go with, and so much ‘easier’ than a pitch appointment!
Oh yes!!! If I was at a conference and had the choice of having an editor’s pitch critique or pitching for real, I’d take the pitch critique hands down!!! Especially if it included a few minutes of the agent asking the questions that the pitch should answer and doesn’t, and me offering those answers. That way I’d know if my problem was my pitch (which wasn’t including those answers) or my story (which didn’t provide good answers to those questions.)
What a fabulous idea! I know in our own chapter (RWA) we’ve had at least one session on pitch vs query, hooks, all of it rolled into one (or two), but to me a focused pitch session with critique would be invaluable, especially for the month of June (right before many writers head for national RWA). I wouldn’t be surprised if you find that month booked solid next year after I’ve said this – lol.
Best. Good post.
Angie,
Would you like to do a pitch critique session at the Popular Fiction Association of Idaho conference, the first weekend of June, 2011? That’s the next conference I’m planning at PFAI board president, and I would be elated to have you as a guest of honor.
I would definitely be interested, Val. Email me anytime and we can chat about it.
Yes, I’m sure one of my chapters would be interested in a online workshop on this subject, as far as I know they’ve still got to plan next years classes. I’ll be back once I know more.