There are two ways to get in front of agents and editors about your book: a query or a pitch. I’ve already discussed query letters so today we’re going to focus on pitches. Let’s start with what a pitch entails, and then go into how to prepare for one and the best tips for making it a positive experience.
What Is A Pitch?
Pitches are verbal query letters. Whatever you prepared to put into a query letter is what you will prepare for your pitch. If you want an in-depth look at what that information entails, you can read my post on query letters. Basically, you’ll just work your way through the same points in your pitch.
First, greet the person. Yes, you need to say hi. Don’t just walk up and launch into pitching your book. Agents and editors are people and should be treated as such, no matter how nervous or scared you are. Say hello. Introduce yourself (use your real name, not a pen name). Ask them how they’re doing. They will probably reciprocate, and it’s okay to tell them you’re anxious. They expect that. Or, if you don’t want to draw attention to your nerves, you can tell them how you’re enjoying the conference or whatever event you are at that day. You don’t have to say anything earth-shattering, but show them you are personable and can see them as a human being and not a means to a goal.
Next, I like to take care of housekeeping so that the end of my speech is the hook for my book pitch. Housekeeping details you should mention are your book’s title, genre, word count, and any comp titles. This should only take two sentences, but agents need this information to know if they can place the book with a publisher.
Lastly, you need to give your elevator pitch. Start with a hook; give us the main character, setting, and conflict; and then end with another hook. This should be about thirty seconds to a minute long. You don’t want to take up all the time (usually you only get 10 minutes maximum with the agent or editor). The goal is to get the story’s premise out so the agent or editor can ask you questions about it.
The main difference between a query and a pitch is that a pitch is a more open format. You don’t need to lay out your bio or anything at the end. Get the book details out, and then let the agent or editor direct the conversation from there. They may ask you about yourself, other projects, more details about your book, etc. They’re the ones that need to say yes so give them the space to ask what they want to know. You’ll have a better chance at snagging their attention that way and getting a request to see the manuscript.
Getting A Pitch Ready
Preparing for a pitch is pretty much like researching for a query letter. You need to make sure the agent or editor is a good fit for you. You can read my post on research tips for query letters for more information.
Beyond doing research, the main difference in preparing for a pitch rather than a query is that you need to practice. You don’t need to have it so memorized you sound like a robot, but you should know your speaking points. You don’t want to go in, fumble over your story, and walk out realizing you only talked about the villain the whole time. Get your thirty-second pitch down so you can deliver it with confidence. Practice in front of the mirror. Tell it to friends and family, and get feedback on how to improve. I found that I’d know when my pitch wasn’t working because the person’s eyes would glaze over. It’s sad to see, but it’s better to have your uncle react that way and fix it than see that look on an agent’s or editor’s face.
If They Request More
If you do get a request for more, the agent or editor will give you a way to send it (usually by email or a website). I’ve heard people ask how long to wait to send their manuscript, and here is the answer: when you have time. If that is that day, great! If it’s next week after the conference, that works too. There is no such thing as sending your material too fast if an agent requested it. Agents don’t judge you as desperate if you send it right away. They are too busy to look at timestamps and be petty. Just send it when you can.
Now, I’ve heard others ask how long they can wait before sending it. That one makes my stomach churn because you shouldn’t pitch to anyone unless you have a completed and polished manuscript. If they ask to read it now, you better be ready. Yes, there is always things to fix, but you should feel confident about your manuscript before you even sign up to pitch. If you aren’t ready to send it, don’t pitch.
Tips For Pitching
Pitching is hard. The biggest hurtle isn’t the research or crafting the pitch—it’s ourselves. We walk in afraid of rejection, and that can cripple us. Sending queries means that you don’t have to look the person in the eyes when they say no. Pitches don’t give us that luxury. Let’s look at five tips to make your pitching experience the best you can make it.
1. Relax
While queries seem less intimidating, pitches have a higher success rate than queries. Why? Because of you! Black and white text is impersonal, and it’s hard to grab anyone’s attention that way. But walk into a room and interact with someone, and you’ll be more personable. Even if you’re so nervous your voice trembles, you have a better chance at getting a yes. That’s the most important tip to remember when pitching. You’re already ahead of thousands of others because you are in the same room as the agent or editor, and they want to be there. They want a connection with you. They want to see and feel your passion for the book.
Pitching is a conversation. Yes, you have to give a little spew about your book, but then it’s just like any other talk. Someone wants to know about your story, and you discuss it with them. You aren’t performing. No one is judging you. Agents are only looking at the story’s potential to be placed with a publisher they know. They may love your story but have no place to sell it. Editors have to be mindful of what other books are already scheduled for release so they don’t hit topics that are too similar. Your story may be great, but it’s the wrong time for them to pick it up. Don’t take the idea of a rejection as a personal attack. Be yourself, and share your passion. That’s all they’re asking for when you pitch your book.
2. Expect Questions
Since a pitch is a conversation, there will be questions. They should be easy though. They’ll ask about you and your book—both topics you’re an expert on! If you didn’t mention comp titles, they may ask what books or authors compare with your book. It’s also possible they will want to know who your ideal audience is for the story. If they ask something and you don’t have an answer, it’s okay to say you don’t know.
On top of being prepared for questions, I recommend having a few to ask yourself as well. In the unfortunate event that the agent or editor doesn’t think your book is a good match for them, you may have some spare time before your appointment is over. It’s easy when faced with rejection to just run away. But, if you still have time before the next person’s turn, don’t waste the opportunity to pick a professional’s brain! Ask if they have any advice for improving your pitch. Ask if they have a book they recommend to authors for improving their craft. You can even ask about publishing industry trends. You aren’t going to have a better chance to get information straight from someone in the thick of the publishing field. Just be respectful of time. When you’re told your time is up, don’t ask any more questions.
3. Notes Are Okay
I’ve talked with a few agents, and each one says they have no problem if you need to bring notes for your pitch. They’d obviously prefer you not to read off your pitch, but none of them said they’d reject someone for doing that. If you know you’ll be nervous and want to have notes of your talking points, that’s okay. If you absolutely must read your pitch, make sure it’s short and leave time to talk with them. Engaging with the agent or editor is what makes pitches better than queries. In the end, they want to talk with you, not listen to you read a monologue.
Though I’ve never done it, I’ve heard some people take in a one-sheet to pitches. This is a professional one-page document that summarizes of your book pitch, bio, and any other pertinent information. Basically, it’s a query letter for pitches. You give it to the agent or editor at the beginning of the pitch for them to glance at for a quick reference. This is NOT a replacement for your pitch. They still want to hear you talk. Most give you back the document after the pitch. If they want your information, they’ll tell you where to send it. If you do a one-sheet, you can print one off for yourself and use it for notes instead of making a note card or something else. Try not to read the page to them though. Remember, pitches are conversations!
4. Put Effort Into Appearance
Let’s turn the topic away from the pitch itself and back to you. One of the best ways to get an agent’s or editor’s attention is to present yourself in a professional manner. You can be friendly and personal, but you should look like you are put together. They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but we all do it. First impressions usually start with appearances.
I’m not saying you have to wear something fancy, but you should look collected. If sci-fi t-shirts are your brand look, then you can wear them to the pitch. But make sure it’s a clean shirt, that you brushed your hair, and your nails aren’t half painted and chipped. Agents and editors want to know that you can be professional, and a well put together appearance will subtly hint to them that you are serious about your author career.
5. Be Polite
Finally, I want to point out something I wish was common knowledge: be polite. You want to show the agent or editor that you will be easy to work with. So, don’t tell the agent that they’d be an idiot not to pick up your book. Don’t insult them if they say no. Don’t argue with them if they try to point out something they think should be improved.
Instead, smile. Listen to their input. Keep your voice calm and tone pleasant. At the end of the appointment, thank them for their time and advice. The book you pitched may not be right for them, but that doesn’t mean your next one won’t be. You should always treat people with respect and courtesy so you don’t burn any bridges you might need later. Plus, I’ve heard the literary community is smaller than you’d think, and people will pass along names that they’ve blacklisted. If you are rude to one person, you might find yourself blocked from others.
Final Thoughts
Pitches can be intimidating, but they are also rewarding. Giving the agent or editor time to meet you can sell your book better than your best logline. It’s easy to get excited about something when someone else is already excited. If you don’t believe me, watch one of those videos of a person laughing and see how slowly everyone around them starts laughing too. They don’t know what they are laughing at, but emotions are contagious. If you are passionate about your work, others can’t help but feel excited about it too.
Thanks for reading!
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