Pitching and Catching. (Hahaha, thanks, SerialKarma.)

[alg]

Pitch Sessions: What they are & how to do it

Everythiing you need to know about pitching your book to an editor, and more!

Comments

[gooddamon.livejournal.com]

I am so very going to link this. And then gush about its overall awesomeness.

Then I'm going to write a book with angels, demons, vampires, hot sex, and ambiguous morals.

[safirasilv.livejournal.com]

Thank you!
Getting mentally prepared for RWA-NEC in April and Making the Dreaded Pitch. This is scary stuff. If I talked pretty, I'd talk, not write! But you've broken it down so well--and reminded me of the four words to live by.

[scarlettgirl.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful idea! We've already had a few hyperventilating posts to Writercon ComCom members along the lines of "OMG PITCH!!" and I think this post will help them (and your sanity) immensely.

I have no interest in pitching at the con but I'll definitely send you a drink at the bar just for being so cool about the whole thing.

Great post

[catrambo.livejournal.com]

Linking, thank you. I had the privilege of sitting in on a session with Kurt Vonnegut and a bunch of freshman writers at one point. When asked what he thought the most important thing for a writer to learn was, he said "Manners" and then went on to explain, cleanly and succinctly, that etiquette counted in the world at large. Which I've always considered words to live by. -Cat Rambo

[yin-again.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Anna - this is really helpful. I'm looking forward to meeting you in July (whether you buy my book or not).

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

Not unless I'm a Bad Seed, too.

I would read that book. Seriously.

Anna, I need a good laugh today. Thanks for giving me several. :)

[alg.livejournal.com]

My pleasure! Any time you need a good laugh, let me know and I will make up pitches. *g*

[alg.livejournal.com]

Happy to be helpful! See you there. :)

[alg.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've seen a few of the posts! I hadn't been planning on working this up so soon, but figured I might as well get it done now so that people can stop having panic attacks about it. Editors are people too! And we like to talk about books and other media, and it's nothing to get fussed over. :)

See you at the bar!

[alg.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I was at the RWNE con a few years ago (last year? I don't even remember!), and it was super fun.

Pitching is easy if you remember to use your comment sense and BREATHE. And relax!

[madrobins]

Gosh, it makes me sad I never got a chance to pitch something to you. (Well, no it doesn't, actually. But it's interesting to read, nonetheless.)

[alg.livejournal.com]

You know, I don't think you can go wrong with angels, demons, hot sex, and ambiguous morals. Vampires, of course, are always dicey. :)

[alg.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I hope you found it helpful. :)

[alg.livejournal.com]

My pleasure! :)

[alg.livejournal.com]

HAHAHA. NO! It just means your sense of humor isn't broken. *g*

[alg.livejournal.com]

My pleasure! I'm glad you found it helpful!

[alg.livejournal.com]

Well thanks! I'm glad you found it helpful. Thanks for reading!

[alg.livejournal.com]

I have found that, yes, "Don't be an idiot" works in pretty much every situation! As does "Mind your manners" and "Use your sense!" Hee. Good luck with whatever you aim at. :)

[alg.livejournal.com]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.

Yes, well. Ahem. When you hit the city I will tell you stories of the people I have made cry. :)

Re: Great post

[alg.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I think "mind your manners" is really excellent advice. Way to go, Kurt! Heh.

[folklorefanatic.livejournal.com]

This is excellent--the first detailed post by an editor as opposed to an agent that I've read on how and what to prepare for a pitch. I can't afford any Cons at the moment, but I'm saving this on my computer for future reference. Thanks for sharing it with us. :)

[liveavatar.livejournal.com]

This inspirational post has helped -- is helping -- me stiffen my resolve for an art proposal I'm slaving over. A pitch is a pitch in any medium. Also, it's making me laugh on top of that, so thank you twice.

Also, count me in as someone who'd read The Robot Cheerleader Wars. I can practically feel the pages in my hands as I curl up on the couch to read it some Saturday afternoon. Isn't there someone out there who could write it with the required hyper-perky ironic tone?

[gooddamon.livejournal.com]

Personally, I think you can go very, very wrong with angels, demons, hot sex, and ambiguous morals (hereafter referred to as ADHSAM). In fact, I think you should. Who wants ADHSAM that's right? It's like chocolate that's good for you - it misses the point.

If I'm going to do ADHSAM (or ADVHSAM), I'm going to make it a cheesy, popcorn affair. Anything less, and I'm disrespecting the genre.

[tharain.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting it. It's hugely helpful. May I friend you? I notice we have several other people in common, also.

[tabaqui]

Ah. Very cool, very helpful. One question, though, that maybe would be answered easily if I were at a con...

How do you actually get onto a pitch schedule? Do most cons have some sort of sign up or is that through the publisher/editor only?

Some of my very favorite, most-loved authors were published by Tor. Oh how I wish I was going to be in Atlanta this summer!