Pitching a novel at Life, The Universe & Everything

[crlisle]

LTUE is offering pitch sessions. I am truly an newbie.
1. What happens at a pitch session?
2. Do I need business cards ?
3. How many pages should I bring?
4. Or just an idea?

They give you 15 minutes for $20 - $25

Thank you all for any help and suggestions.

[RSchibler]

1. You talk to an agent or editor about your manuscript. Ideally, you want a completed novel manuscript if you’re going to a pitch session. If you don’t have a completed book, you can still use the time to ask questions, get them to review your query letter, etc.

2. Business cards are a good idea for cons but you probably won’t be giving them to agents or editors - instead your goal is to get as many of their cards as you can. Big rule - don’t be creepy, don’t be weird, don’t be pushy. Be professional.

3. Don’t bring pages, they won’t want them. The best, most hopeful, result from a pitch session is their card and a request for pages - the more the better. The second they hand you their card say thank you and skedaddle. Don’t push.

4. As I said above, you should ideally have a completed manuscript but you can use the time however you’d like.


I’ve pitched at 3 conferences and done tons of reading and listening about the process. The best advice is to remember they’re people, not demigods, and just talk to them. If you get their card and an offer to send pages, you win! If not, say thank you and skedaddle. Remember how much of this (any) business is reputation and networking. Even if they’re not interested in your book, you don’t want them telling other agents about a weird writer or a rude person.

Good luck! It’s a great experience. I highly encourage you get a pitch session even if you don’t have a novel, just to have time to ask questions of an experienced pro.

[crlisle]

Thank you!

[crlisle]

Is it ok to pitch two books? Or should I just keep to one?

[RSchibler]

If you’re pitching a complete manuscript, stick to one. If you’re just asking questions, you can mention both. But I wouldn’t try to pitch both.

[crlisle]

Okeedokie

[Wulf Moon]

What Becky (RSchibbler) said. : )

[crlisle]

I am too exited! Pitch session with Tony Daniel of Baen Books on Saturday, Feb 15,2020.
Thank you RSchibbler for helping me not to make a fool of myself. I will be professional.
Thank you Wulf Moon for your support. Means a lot to me.

[oishisushi911]

I am too exited! Pitch session with Tony Daniel of Baen Books on Saturday, Feb 15,2020.
Thank you RSchibbler for helping me not to make a fool of myself. I will be professional.
Thank you Wulf Moon for your support. Means a lot to me.

I'll take a look at your pitch if you want. I can't promise I'll be of tremendous help, but I do remember when I went to a writers conference and pitched two novels (one novel for some agents, the other novel for some other agents), it helped so much to have a published and skilled writer go over my pitch and make suggestions. I have my notes on that, I believe, so I'll see if I can suggest anything with that in mind.

[oishisushi911]

You should put in research into what authors and works are similar to your novel right now. Not older works. That will give you something extra to discuss about your work if you have the time. One agent latched onto my work's similarities to Kelly Link and it gave us loads to discuss which was quite motivating and still gives me food for thought today. Of course, it wasn't something I forced into the conversation but it was mentioned and thus presented the agent with an opportunity to discuss further if interested.

[crlisle]

Thank you for the advice oishisushi911 !
I am still working on my pitch, so I don't have anything to share yet. But thank you for your generous offer of help.

[crlisle]

So, the pitch went well. I learned a lot from the experience and I recommend doing one to everyone. I only had my current short story to pitch, but Mr. Tony Daniel didn't seem to mind. He terrified me when he started asking questions about my story!!! That meant he actually listened and was taking me seriously! Wh-What?!? He laughed in all the right places, and complimented, and offered critique. My problem is that I don't show my characters' motivation. It ended with him pretty much ordering me to write a novel according to Baen guidelines and to submit it within a year. He said, "I'll definitely be seeing you again."

[RSchibler]

That’s a great result! Congratulations!

[crlisle]

Yay! Thank you ever so much for your help RSchibler!