Have you all seen the hilarious post on Nathan Bransford’s website: The Publishing Process in GIF Form? I’m not a fan of the term LOL, but in this case, it fits: I LOL’d. A lot. Then I read it again and LOL’d some more. Take a second and check it out, then come back so we can chat.
Back so soon? You totally LOL’d, didn’t you?
One reason why I find his post sodarnfunny is that I am currently living it. Yup, I am spending some time in purgatory smack-dab in the middle of the agent query process. Those pictures? They speak truth.
If you are right there with me, or gearing up for it, there are a couple of web events coming up that you might be interested in.
The first is called, aptly enough, Gearing Up to Get an Agent, or GUTGAA for short.
It’s a month-long blogfest – with agent and small publishing house pitch contests, meet and greets, and drawings and prizes. Even if you are not quite ready to begin the query process, drop in and squirrel away some knowledge for the future.
Speaking of pitch contests, Brenda Drake Writes…under the influence of coffee is sponsoring Pitch Madness, September 7th – 12th (but get your pitches in on the 1st).
Both contests will be judged by agents, so in addition to picking up some skills, you might just pick up an agent!
And by pick up, I mean sign with.
Not date.
Although, if you are looking for love…you never know in this crazy world try a dating site. This is for professionals. Hee!
I mentioned these contests on a writer’s email group I am a part of and someone wrote back, confused as to how to write a pitch. I don’t blame her. That’s one of those tricky words that means different things to different people.
Like clean. As in, “Yes Mom, my room is clean“.
As far as I can tell pitch has two different meanings.
- A verbal presentation to an agent or editor, in person, usually at a writer’s conference. It can be formal – with an appointment set up for you to pitch either one-on-on or in front of a group, or it can be casual where you approach the person you are hoping to work with and tell them about your project. Note: successful pitches, never – never, ever – take place in the bathroom. Just don’t.
- Your story’s hook. That short and sweet description that makes people want to read it. Think back cover copy, or the part of your query letter that talks about story. This pitch be verbal or written. In the case of the above contests, your pitch will be written.
If you are still confused, click over to Pitch Madness. They were kind enough to provide an example.
So polish your pitches, get them entered in the contests, win big, and then you will be all:
Okay, that GIF doesn’t really have anything to do with winning pitch contests or publishing success.
Just – sloths! So cute!
Make up your own analogy. I’m busy waiting to hear back from my future agent.
