A couple of weeks ago I decided it was time to get serious and I registered for the James River Writers Conference, which will be in October. Check out this great video about JRW:
Included with the registration was a prize: 7 minutes one-on-one with an agent.
If you might recall, I attended this conference last year, but I didn’t have my book ready, so I chose not to pitch. This year my book still isn’t ready...but I’m going to be working my tooshie off to get it ready!
Did you know it’s hard to write a book?
Anyway, I have never done this pitch-to-an-agent thing. Any pointers for me? Anybody else out there done it? Will I get chewed up and spit out? HELP! Any advice will be appreciated...
I did two pitches with agents at the ANWA conference this year, and I felt like both of them genuinely wanted to love my book. I think agents are rooting for us more than we think. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat kinds of things did they ask? What did you say to them? Did you just do an “elevator” pitch? Did you memorize it?
DeleteSo I prepared for a memorized spiel (basically the equivalent of an elevator pitch and my query), but I also asked them right off the bat how they preferred a pitch session. I explained that I'd read Janet Reid's "rant" about pitches, and I asked them if they preferred the same, explaining that I'd prepared for whichever they'd prefer. (http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2014/01/rant-pitch-sessions-are-spawn-of-satan.html) Both of them told me they didn't care and both ended up just reading my query, then asking me questions about plot, characterization, and even the ending. Basically, my query or my synopsis. One of them requested pages immediately (like instantly after reading the query), then she asked me if I had questions for her. And I didn't, because what?! I wish I'd had questions for her, maybe about trends or the market or how to make a book like mine stand out, or something. The other agent asked me questions the whole time, thought, so it's hard to say what to prepare for.
ReplyDeleteDoes that help?! At all??
Yes, definitely helps! I want to be prepared for all scenarios, and that brought up some things I hadn’t thought of (like questions for the agent). Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI've pitched three times. Twice was for a non-fiction book and once for a fiction novel, but it was pretty much the same for all my pitches. I memorized my pitch (basically the summary part of the query letter) dressed in an outfit that made me feel confident but also comfortable in my own skin. When it was time for my pitch I introduced myself took a deep breath then gave them my pitch. After that they take the lead. They ask you questions about your book. This is the easy part, after all, there are no wrong answers, no one knows your book like you. The key is to show them how passionate and knowledgeable you are about your story. Remember they are people just like us trying to do a job that they are also passionate about. They are on the same team as you, they love books! How can you not love a person who loves books as much as you do? So relax and treat it like you are just making a new friend. Because if you play your cards right, you are. And having friends in this business is almost as important as a contract. Plus it makes your job more fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nikki! That is really helpful. Just thinking about the pitch has made me think a lot more about my book and ask myself what there is about it that’s interesting and different. It’s been good for me.
DeleteNikki, great advice and insight. I've never pitched either. Rooting for you, Kasey!
ReplyDelete