5 Tips for Pitching Your Manuscript 

Going to a conference? Have the opportunity to pitch to an editor or agent? Here are some tips:

1. Dress for success...and comfort. While it's important to project an image that's professional and confident, it's hard to focus on the brilliance of your book when your toes are pinched and your skirt is riding up. Wear what makes you feel the best you.

2. Prepare your pitch. The important part of pitching is to distill your book down to a sentence or two. Difficult, time consuming, but not impossible. In fact, I find pitches harder to create than the dreaded synopsis.
Use powerful verbs (no "is" or "are" if possible) and strong imagery. Then, practice, practice, practice! Once your pitch is out, talking about your book will come more easily. For expert, step-by-step directions on writing your pitch, see Laurie Schnebly Campbell's blog on writing a pitch. You only have about 10 minutes to wow them. You have to be ready.

3. Stay relaxed. Talk with the other participants at the conference. Share your trepidation. Everyone is a bit nervous pitching. 

4. Connect. Editors and agents are humans, too. After you pitch your first line, smile, admit you're nervous or excited. Find something to comment on. Are they wearing amazing shoes or a statement necklace? Are they wearing your favorite color? Once you have connected, it will be easier to talk to them as professional colleagues.

5. Listen & Answer. After your pitch, the editor or agent will have questions like what is your character's inner conflict? What is your social platform? Be prepared to answer questions and listen to any feedback they may give you.

Now, get ready to pitch!

Live in Hampton Roads, Richmond or Williamsburg, VA? Here's your chance to pitch your manuscript. 

​For more information or to register for the conference, click here.

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