I appreciate all the info. I just wish there was some way I could manage a perfect pitch and come off smooth and sophisticated (don't we all?), because I speak/behave differently from the way I write. Too many bad habits ingrained from working with gamers. I get nervous about writing query letters, too, but the pressure is less when I don't have to worry about impressing someone in person. I hadn't even realized that index cards were an option. Until you mentioned that, I was freaked out about having to memorize something in order to not sound like a dork, and then forgetting my lines due to nerves. I actually did a practice pitch in front of some classmates at the Odyssey Writing Workshop ... I'm sure I gave everyone a good idea of how NOT to pitch!

~Abby Goldsmith