(no subject)
May. 8th, 2006 01:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
algI had a really interesting experience this past weekend. I was at the Silicon Valley Romance Writers' business conference thingie, and I did a 45 minute Q&A. I was asked:
What are the things that make you cringe during a pitch session?
My answer was twofold:
1. When someone sits down and says, "I submitted something to you a few weeks ago and I want to talk about what you thought."
Jeez! There is pretty much no way that I am going to remember your submission, if I have even read it yet, which is, frankly, unlikely. I mean, that is just absurd. Not to mention that even though I personally tend to go through my submissions myself (even if/when I have someone act as "first reader" on some), lots of other editors do not.
As I have said before, more than once, we are not paid to read submissions. Assistants are paid to read an editor's submissions (at least partially, anyway) -- editors are paid to edit. Editors are paid to make their companies money. Okay, yes, it is totally more complicated than that, and I am not being fair or realistic -- but come on. It's neither fair nor realistic to expect (a) that I would have even read your submission yet, or (b) that I'd remember it.
2. When someone sits down and says, "I don't have anything to pitch to you -- I just wanted to meet you."
By doing this, that person is taking time away from someone who could be pitching to me. If you want to meet me, hook up with me at the bar like everyone else. We'll do tequila shots, I'll show you pictures of my cats, and by the end of the night (or drink), you will have one of my business cards, and an invitation to send your work to me if it's the sort of thing I acquire.
And if you don't know what I acquire, Google my name.
(To use an example that isn't me, if you buy Hilary Sares a drink, and she gives you a card, and you're not sure that what you write is what she acquires -- well, Google her name, and you will see that the first link is to a bio where it says plainly what she's acquiring. Hell, the worst that can happen is that she sends you a form reject, right?)
To sum up, in the words of![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
jaylake: Don't be an idiot.
The interesting thing that happened to me, though, was this: people who I remembered from the panel, did exactly the above things, even after I'd said not to.
And not one person did tequila shots with me at the bar later, although I did have several delightful conversations over a vodka collins (with cherries and olives, thank you).
What are the things that make you cringe during a pitch session?
My answer was twofold:
1. When someone sits down and says, "I submitted something to you a few weeks ago and I want to talk about what you thought."
Jeez! There is pretty much no way that I am going to remember your submission, if I have even read it yet, which is, frankly, unlikely. I mean, that is just absurd. Not to mention that even though I personally tend to go through my submissions myself (even if/when I have someone act as "first reader" on some), lots of other editors do not.
As I have said before, more than once, we are not paid to read submissions. Assistants are paid to read an editor's submissions (at least partially, anyway) -- editors are paid to edit. Editors are paid to make their companies money. Okay, yes, it is totally more complicated than that, and I am not being fair or realistic -- but come on. It's neither fair nor realistic to expect (a) that I would have even read your submission yet, or (b) that I'd remember it.
2. When someone sits down and says, "I don't have anything to pitch to you -- I just wanted to meet you."
By doing this, that person is taking time away from someone who could be pitching to me. If you want to meet me, hook up with me at the bar like everyone else. We'll do tequila shots, I'll show you pictures of my cats, and by the end of the night (or drink), you will have one of my business cards, and an invitation to send your work to me if it's the sort of thing I acquire.
And if you don't know what I acquire, Google my name.
(To use an example that isn't me, if you buy Hilary Sares a drink, and she gives you a card, and you're not sure that what you write is what she acquires -- well, Google her name, and you will see that the first link is to a bio where it says plainly what she's acquiring. Hell, the worst that can happen is that she sends you a form reject, right?)
To sum up, in the words of
jaylake: Don't be an idiot.The interesting thing that happened to me, though, was this: people who I remembered from the panel, did exactly the above things, even after I'd said not to.
And not one person did tequila shots with me at the bar later, although I did have several delightful conversations over a vodka collins (with cherries and olives, thank you).
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-08 07:16 pm (UTC)Also, with the pitch stuff, from the other point of view... When I pitched my book to you a long long time ago.. years.. (I don't expect you to remember haha), it would have helped if I could get over the excitement of meeting an editor... and calmed down enough to focus on the book... it was fun, but if I had stopped freaking out with excitement and nerves, it might have been more fun. It is so cool meeting real live authors and editors. haha. After that... it's also good to *love* the book I think.
Leaving all doubts behind that it's a book I would actually buy at the bookstore would help, too. I don't know if it makes any sense to admit that, but.. it's true. I didn't know I was on the wrong level, and I think I have maybe moved up one, which is good. But, at that time I would have never known it. Also, listening to the feedback and really trying to *get* what the pros.. other pubed authors, editors, and other writers who have been at it longer... are saying about pitches and writing and everything.. is also good.. that whole light bulb thing is great when it actually goes off.
I hope I didn't say any of the wrong things.. I am still learning of course~! anyone correct me if I am wrong.