Happy Wednesday! This past weekend I registered for the Romance Writers of America 2011 (no I don't write romance but I do have a YA that I've been told is hot!) conference in New York City. I'm very excited because after and working in NYC I'm looking forward to going back and I'm going to get to mix, mingle and learn from amazing writing talents. I will also have three books to pitch. At that point my non-fiction will be out so I will be promoting it and I will be pitching my YA fantasy and MG dystopian to agents (that is if I'm not already represented.) So with all of that in mind and thanks to my public relations background I've developed a pitching strategy.
Step 1: KNOW YOUR DREAM/TARGET AGENTS.
Know what the top agents that you are pitching to are looking for. Do they love romance? Are they the action type?
Step 2: DIVIDE THOSE AGENTS INTO CATEGORIES.
For example, my YA has romantic elements and a war in it so I have a romance category and a war category.
Step 3: DEVELOP A TARGETED PITCH CAMPAIGN TO EACH CATEGORY.
Step 4: DEVELOP A GENERAL PITCH CAMPAIGN
Once you've done that then you are set to go. Here is what you do. Pitch the right pitch to the right agent. It's easy. For an agent that I know loves romance I will pitch more of the romance side of the book to pique their interest. For the agent that prefers some war and action I will focus on that part of my book. Then for agents that I don't have as much information on or ones that I just meet at the conference I will be set with my general pitch.
Now I AM NOT saying to mislead agents and to make them believe that your book has more of something in it that it doesn't. If you do that then you will hurt your credibility with them. But know YOUR BOOK. If it does have many elements to it, like mine does then this will be a great plan for you.
Still, the number one thing to remember is that you know your book best. Only you can pitch it with the passion and confidence that the book deserves. So don't freak over the dreaded pitch. Let your talent speak for itself and share with the agents the story that you loved enough to devote countless hours, days, months, and even years of your life to write.
For more information on pitching to agents I highly recommend the site: Pitch University
It is a fantastic site where your can get lessons on pitching from agents and editors.
If you have suggestions for pitching then please leave them in a comment below.
Enjoy and happy writing!
P.S. I just learned that my fantastic critique partner also wrote on pitching at her blog, The Ending Unplanned today. Great minds do think alike! Go check it out.
Hey girl! You are right, we do have great minds. :-) I just linked to you, too. Thanks again for all your help with pitching--and be expecting more emails throughout February!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great topic! Please drop over to yalitchat.ning.com if you don't mind I'd like to spotlight this post. Thanks for your awesome insight!
ReplyDeleteNatalie, you've got a wonderful plan for New York -- sure helps to have PR experience, doesn't it? Not to mention a familiarity with the city, so you won't be distracted by questions of how to get where you're going. Good luck...I hope I'll get to see you there!
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