Pitching a book

This is going to be an issue I will come back to -- pitching a book.

I am scheduled to do my first pitch during a conference I am attending in March. I am nervous about it and plan to mention pitching a book when my critique group gets together later this month. I asked a published colleague and she said it is hard and that she isn't good at it. But I need to start with a short, concise compelling summary of the book and to be prepared to go into more details if the person asks. And that I should practice, practice, practice the pitch at house several times before I go to the conference.

The person is an acquring editor at a large publishing house. There will be an agent there, too, but she doesn't represent the sort of material that I write. Her interests are YA, romance and some chick lit. The editor, however, is at least interested in general fiction, a broad and nebulous area that could mean anything and nothing at the same time. So, I'm just helping.

You can find virtually anything on the Internet and my colleague found something on pitching a book.

Below are tips for a great editor interview taken from some website :

Preparation pays off! With a little advance planning, you'll be able to walk into that interview with confidence and walk out with a request to submit your manuscript.

1. Think of your editor appointment as you would a job interview. You are selling yourself as well as your book. Dress professionally.

2. Smile, introduce yourself, shake hands, and if you have a card, offer it to the editor. (Some writers list the book they are pitching on the back side.)

3. If you have time for brief chit-chat that could break the ice, go for it. "I attended your workshop, it was great..."

4. Tell the editor what type of book you've written (contemp/hist/paranormal), the title and length. Also mention the targeted line. A finished book carries more weight than an unfinished book, so if it's done, say so. If you've completed several, also say so, but pitch only one book unless the editor asks about others. If the editor says your book isn't right for her house, pitch another, or be prepared to ask lots of questions.

5. Go for the hook. Tell the editor whether it's a secret baby, amnesia, marriage of convenience, woman in jeopardy book and indicate the tone — light, dark, dramatic, comedic, etc. Tell the editor what makes your secret baby book different than the rest.

6. Give a brief one paragraph synopsis of the book that contains the main character's goal, motivation, conflict and resolution. Practice this at home before the interview. Don't give too many details. For practice at home, start with the basics—the external conflict. Eloise wants (goal)_____, because (motivation)______, but (conflict)_____. The conflict is resolved when_____. Then expand on this with a character tag. (A cynical cop wants_____.) The character tags can identify potential internal conflict/differences.

7. The editor may ask questions. Be prepared to answer. Don't go on so long you forget the time. If you can fit it in, give a little information about yourself and what makes you qualified to write this book. For example: If you're writing about law enforcement and you're an undercover cop, say so. If you're finished before your time is up, be prepared to ask a few questions of your own.

8. If the editor hasn't already asked to see the ms or a partial, close out the interview by asking if the editor would like to see yours.

9. Offer a friendly goodbye handshake and a smile.

10. Send the editor a thank you note within a few days.

All the tips made sense, particularly the first two. I plan to use the tips as a guide. By the second week in March, I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks for reading and keep writing.