Pitching Report

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I think this is one of the hardest lessons of writing. No matter how hard you work, write, edit, and polish, there's another step to go on the long list of to-do's for hunting agents. You need to following:

• log line or pitch--also known as an elevator pitch--no more than fifty words
• short pitch for conference pitches in person--usually about 3 sentences
• query
• synopsis of varying lengths
• outlines as requested (even if you don't write from an outline)
• snips from the manuscript of varying lengths

In the interest of feedback, here's my elevator pitch for MOTHER'S DAY. What do you think? Would you want to read this book?

A retired teacher, childless and recently widowed, defies her narrow-minded family and her small Southern town when she opens her home to an abused twelve-year old, little realizing that the girl is the key to long-buried family secrets.

Next Week: IWSG--I'm back... ;-)

Pitching Report

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 I know you've wondered how it went, so I'll answer all your questions. If I can. ;-) Remember, I've only pitched two agents. Since both of them asked for submissions, I thought I'd share what I did.

My Pitch:
When Laura Grace Bradshaw meets abused twelve-year-old Samantha Smith, her unfulfilled mothering instincts spring into action. Recently widowed, LG's own grief and her complicated ties to her small Georgia town's founding family limit how much she can help. But compelled to heal Samantha's wounds, she must find the strength to throw off the restraints of her MIL and her own griefs and move toward adopting Samantha, a child who unwittingly holds the keys to long-buried family secrets.  

I recommend that you practice this out loud a ton of times. Find someone to practice with. After John, my writing buddies, Monica J. (via Skype), Tara W. and Jane D., were my ready ears. Tara, Jane, and I shared this journey on February 20 and listened to each other over and over...and over. That's what it takes. Both agents mentioned that my pitch was polished and great. 

Next, be ready to explain your genre and any niches that you include.
My Genre
Mother's Day is upmarket, contemporary WF with a Christian MC, but the story doesn't focus on Christianity.  
  
Because I could clearly explain my story's connection with Christianity, both agents mentioned that it had potential to fit the crossover market. That took a huge worry off my back.

Next, be ready to talk "off the cuff" about your plot. Because I could mention a few of my plot twists, I was able to interest them in the story beyond the pitch. 

Then, be ready to explain where you are in the completion process. I was thrilled to be able to share that my MS was complete and that I was doing a polishing edit. Also, I'd used the MS for a Barbara Rogan Next Level Revision Fiction Workshop. (I can't thank Barbara enough for help with increasing the conflict in my story.) This was important to  show that I take critique well.

After that, you need to be able to answer if there is series potential. If it's a standalone story, that's fine. Just be ready for the question. I could tell them that there were two follow up stories--a 60% complete part 2 and a part 3 story that was 30% complete. After that, I mentioned that I had two standalone stories set in the same town. 

Also, you should be ready to answer the dreaded "comparables" question. I did have two titles to use. One well known, the other very new. Seemed to work. ;-)

The Results
 The first agent loved my whole Cherry Hill package. She stressed that I take my time preparing the submission she requested. She wants my first 3 chapters, an extensive outline of all three in the trilogy, and a summary paragraph of the 2 standalone stories. 

The second one wanted the first 50 pages of the first story and an extensive synopsis. 

So, all in all, I'm pumped by my first foray into pitching and querying. And I have a huge to-do list. But that's okay. I would hate to have nothing to show for all that hard work! ;-) 

Next Week: Women's Fiction...Again ;-)

IWSG: Pitch! It's Getting Scary...

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ISWG

 Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG

The awesome co-hosts for the February 3 posting of the IWSG will be Allison Gammons, Tamara Narayan, Eva E. Solar, Rachel Pattison, and Ann V. Friend!

Yikes! I sure hope my first pitches are fastball, not a snowball. ;-) 

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I'm doing my first pitches for my WIP on February 20. I'm just a bit shaky. Then again, I've gotten ready by hard work and persistence. It's time to get my WIP out there to sink or swim. To that end, I've been diligently honing my pitch and query. I'm attempting to write an interesting synopsis, too. Double Yikes!

So--

Do you have any suggestions? Any hard-learned lessons to share? Any insight into how to handle the nerves and what to say in the session itself? I'll take anything you might like to add about this new step in my writing journey. 

Kathryn Craft's excellent Pitching to Agents: How to Throw a Fiction Fastball has been one of my invaluable my guides. 

Speaking of pitches: Check out the 21st Dear Lucky Agent contest from Chuck Sambuchino.
 

Next Week: More Mini Book Review--Of course! You think I haven't been reading? Perish the thought!

BTW, I didn't mean to highlight the entire post in white. Really, I didn't! I'm a word person, not a tech person. So sue me. ;-)