The Art of Online Pitching

I also put this post up on the Hunter Romance Writers and thought someone may get some use from it, after all, it's pitch time at the RWA conference soon. Online pitching and face to face is a little different, but the preparation is the same. :)

We often feel a bit apprehensive when pitching to an editor/agent online or face to face. I hope my tips will help keep some of those nerves at bay and aid in polishing that pitch.

I recently pitched online for the first time, and I was the first twelve or so to be selected to submit to the editor. I submitted to that editor, but alas, it wasn't what they were looking for at that time, even though they loved what I had submitted. They asked if I had something else I could submit to them in the future. So this was another step in the right direction. 

 Here are a few tips that I hope will help you take another step forward.

1.   Know what the publisher/editor/agent is seeking. Double/triple check their guidelines. Study their submission page. Study what they have incorporated and what they are looking for in the pitch.

 

2.   Find out what author's they represent, and what they have sold.

 

3.   Do exactly what the guidelines require. If they state no more than a certain amount of words, do not go over the word count even by one word, or you're out. If you neglect to include any information they have stipulated, you're out. It's as simple as that. One minute you're in, the next out. So double, triple check your work.  

4.   Catch their attention with action words, or words that reflect the style of the manuscript you are pitching. Make your voice shine through by word choice. But don't over do it and be flowery. 

5.   Study other pitches online and find out what and who they pitched to. Is it similar to your work?  

6.   Print your pitch out and carry it around with you. Look at it from time to time. I bet you will find something you can change, something that isn't quite right.  

7.   Let it sit for a week. Go back and make the final changes. 

8.   Have everything prepared hours before the pitch is due either online or face to face. 

9.   If possible play it over on a reader, or read it aloud. Better still, get someone else to read it back to you. This is a great way to find out missing words, or something that doesn't sound right.

 

If you get a request don't rush it. Don't send it off immediately unless there is a deadline. There is something you have missed. Wait until the next day and go over what you have written. When you are confident that it is your best professional work, hit that send button. They say practice makes perfect. 

Good luck. :)

Here is what I pitched: A manuscript which is yet to be turned into a novel.

A kick ass mother searches for her missing daughter. A gender flipped version of the hit action movie, Taken. Trapped by a man she believed dead, he demands she play a game. She runs, he hunts. There is no place to hide.
 

 

Neighbours from Hell.

Do you know your neighbours, and if so, do you get along? Meaning, do they say hello, or give a friendly wave now and again. I tried to get to know my new neighbours when they moved in a few years ago. I went over and gave them some Christmas cake and pudding as a welcome to the neighbourhood. Since then nothing, not even a wave or a hello.

I have just received a letter from the council saying my music is too loud. Said letter stated these neighbours have complained. That is the newer ones. I almost died. I'm still walking around shaking my head. This has never happened to me at all. Never. I don't consider my music that loud, and it isn't on between the times when it's not supposed to be.

Said letter states that if it isn't turned down they come out and do a decibel check to see if it's over the limit. If so, I get a fine of $200. Wow. I am still shocked.

I feel as though I'm treading on egg shells now, but a fine or not, I won't be paying it due to principal. Although I don't think the music is over the limit.

Of all the times I could have complained about a peeping Tom, about a dog being bashed, but we had to have proof about the dog. There was also a time when foul language could be heard for hours, up to 4am in the morning, we kept quiet. Poor hubby got no sleep that night.

Said letter even stated that the music is being played when we aren't listening to it. How do they know if I'm listening to my music or not? This is a tad bit scary and makes me nervous. Are they watching my every move?  I'm shocked. What are your thoughts? All this on top of trying to recover from major surgery is a little too much at this time.

I want to move, and hopefully soon we can. I don't need people like this around me. People who haven't got the decency to knock on my door, or even leave a letter on my doorstep. (no mailbox. it got stolen) Or even have the decency to wave occasionally.

Have you had a bad neighbour that made your life miserable? Being a writer I naturally spend a bit more time home than usual, especially now. When I'm better from my op,  and when the weather picks up perhaps a café would be more suitable, or back to a park or beach to write until we can move.

Okay that's my vent for the week. I'll keep you posted. Thank you.

PS. Perhaps they didn't like my Christmas Cake? lol Ahh, perhaps that's the reason. lol. :)

Competition

Don't forget if you haven't entered my competition it's count down days. It will be here before we know it. It's up on the competition page if you are interested. A few simple steps and it could be yours. It really is quite lovely so don't miss such a simple chance.

I hate my book

 http://www.booksandsuch.biz/blog/i-hate-my-book/

Rachelle Gardner has a great post about writing and how sometimes we as writers hate our books. If you've ever come to this stage in your writing pop on over, it's worth a read.

I have. lol.... It's the re-reading, the editing, then the re-reading again. The going over and over. We have to remember that in the early stages if we liked our book other people will like/love it as well. After all, we can't please everyone. :) :)

Have a great day every one, and don't forget smile. You know it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. :)