Before I begin, there’s an added bonus at the bottom of this post! Go ahead, check it out, then come back, and read the post. If you’re like me, you have to know the bonus before you continue. 
La, la, la, la, la…oh, you’re back, sorry about that. I tend to sing or hum when I’m waiting. With RWA nationals around the corner, (registration is now open), I thought we’d talk about pitching.
What is it about the words ‘Pitching to an Editor’ that causes the stomach to roll, the eyes to blur, and the heart to pound with the force of category five hurricane? (I’m in Florida, so change the hurricane to twister, blizzard, or whatever major weather you have where you’re from.)
For any of you who’ve been to conference you totally understand the above paragraph. For those who haven’t here’s a little image for you.
Breathe, you tell yourself as you sashay into the perfect meet the editor/agent outfit. You’ve remembered not to wear perfume, just incase their allergic. Having them break out into hives or a sneezing fit isn’t going to help you get those much-wanted words, ‘send me the full’.
With a quick check of the iron, making sure you’ve unplugged it from the wall, you grab your badge and head out the door. You check your watch and smile. Thirty minutes until your pitch appointment. You’re doing great.
The elevator door opens and you squeeze in with countless other hopefuls, only to remember…your pitch cards are on the bed in the room.
Excuse me, you say in your brightest voice and leave the source of transportation, knowing you’ll have to wait another ten minutes for a ride. That thirty minutes isn’t looking as good as it did, oh what, two minutes ago.
Hoping for the elegant model run, after all, there could be other editors/agents on your floor, you make your way back to your room and slide the key into its home. Nothing. The little light blinks red, the door refuses to budge. You insert it again and pray. Okay, one more time, and yes, the green light shines and you’re in.
With the cards now fisted in your hand, you realize you have twenty minutes. Its okay, you tell yourself, you’ve memorized the pitch and the cards are just for practicing until it’s your turn.
After checking in with the volunteer you make your way to an area without many people around and quietly (okay mumble), your pitch. Wait! Did you really just call the editor/agent by the wrong name? Face flamed as red as the juicy Macintosh apple the woman two rows over is eating, you pray you get it right and begin again.
It’s time. Your group is up and standing in line. The cards, still in your hand, are there for reassurance. You don’t need them anymore and if you do, you’ll ask the editor/agent ahead of time if they mind if you use them. (Side note: Most really don’t. They know you’re nervous, but ALWAYS ask first.)
Introductions are made, a couple of polite questions are asked and answered, and you begin…
Here’s where depending on how nervous you are or aren’t, you either fly through it like a pro or perhaps make a few stumbles on the way to the finish line.
The editor/agent asks a few questions, you answer, and then you hear the words, ‘send me the partial, or the full’. You can’t help the grin that’s now splitting your face as you ask, ‘would you like me to email it or mail it hardcopy?’ And upon the response you shake their hand, thank them, and glide out the door, sure your feet are surfing inches above the floor.
Or, perhaps they like it but don’t ask for it (We’ve all been there). Yes, you’re heart is beating the same uncontrollable rate as in the first paragraph, but guess what? You still did it. You did what countless others haven’t done. You made it through and you’ll make it through again.
You’re no longer a first timer. You go you! You ROCK! Yes, you’re wishing for the request and you’ll work on the pitch for the next time. Maybe when you’re in the bar sitting around talking and another editor/agent asks, ‘So, what do you write?’ (Let them ask you, don’t offer) and the heartbeat picks up again for a fraction of a moment. That’s when you smile, you can do this, you’ve done it before, and you say, ‘I write—’
Added Bonus:
On January 29, Deb Werksman, editor at Sourcebooks, will take 50-word pitches on the CasablancaAuthors.blogspot.com blog. The winner will send her manuscript to Deb, and other runners-up will win critiques by Sourcebooks/ Casablanca authors.
Check it out on the Casablanca Authors Blog
So, what about you? Have you pitched your baby? Were you nervous or were you calm, cool, and collected?
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Check Outs, Writing
This was exactly how I felt! I had three pitches in one day and before I made it to the first one I had scratched all the fingernail polish off my nails. LOL By the third one I was still nervous, but you are so right. Once I got through that very first one, my next one was much easier. Still nerve racking, but easier in so many ways.
And thanks for the Bonus! I’m off to work on my pitch!!
Melissa – Three in one day, omg. Was this the first time you’d ever pitched?
Yep. I went to the conference in Dallas a few years back and was to chicken to pitch. So the next chance I got I really went all out. LOL It was at our local RWA chapter’s conference here in Houston, so it was much smaller. I tried to look at it as practice, but I was still terrified.
Vicki, I’m laughing so hard, but this is so true. I’ve never glowed more than getting ready for a pitch appointment. Although I’ve probably pitched six times or so, I’m still terrified. lol
Thanks for the bonus.
Hey AM – Waving at ya and glad you’re here.
Girl, we’ve sat outside for what…hours, working on pitches with several people. But it was so much fun. (The working on part, heehee)
Melissa, it still takes guts even in your own chapter. That’s so cool.
ugh. pitches *shudder*. I got so lucky. My first pitch appoint let me read STRAIGHT from my notes. and she looked down, taking notes the whole time as I talked, which was a relief!
But I’ve got to get better! I picked up a 30-minute conversation with Leah Hultenschmidt at the charity auction! YEAH!
Whoo Hoo Keri on the winning the auction! Leah is amazing! And you have thirty minutes with her, that’s great.
I’m sure you know this, but just in case, make sure you have several pitches ready for her. That way if she’s interested in one, but isn’t buying that at the time, you can pitch her something else for now.
Fingers crossed for you girl!
Oh, Lordie, my first pitch was at Nationals and was a group pitch. I was pretty nervous, but I did look awesome in my pinstriped white Ann Taylor suit (if I do say so myself). That was the only good part. There were about six of us in a group. I pitched my historical – she was from the London Mills Boon office. She didn’t ask for a single partial from any of the six. I didn’t mind – I didn’t really write for her line, but three in the group wrote specifically for the line. I felt really bummed for them.
The last time I pitched, I was working it for my new contemporary. Of course, the editor wasn’t looking for contemporary. She asked me to pitch my historical (which was totally unexpected). I had to do that one off the cuff which was a bit nervewrecking. She did ask for the full (yay!) which I emailed to her at her request. Unfortunately, she didn’t get it. By the time I emailed her for an update, found she never received it, and resent the manuscript, I missed the boat. She’d pretty much stated that she needed a historical stat, and with so many months passing…well, it was a rejection.
But, I learned to be prepared no matter what and to let editors and agents know the extent of your work. If I hadn’t revealed that I had two historicals, I would’ve missed an opportunity. (okay, I missed it anyway with stupid email, but you know what I mean)
Amy – I’ve never done a group pitch. I almost signed up for one, but a Diana Peterfreund told me her horror at sitting there when some where asked for partials/fulls and some weren’t. She said, feeling the pain for the others was worse than any nerves she might have felt. To tell the truth, it scared me so much, I decided I’d go one on one.
Sorry about the email thing. I love the net and emails and think all publishing houses as well as agents should have an automatic reply so that we will know it made it.
Great blog guys!!
And Keri, congrats on winning the time with Leah. She’s a sweetie. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
CC
Hey Christie – so glad you stopped by.
Oh my. Pitch nerves — it gives me shivers down my back sitting at my plain old desk by myself. I think my problem is that not only am I putting myself up for evaluation (which is why we remember what we wore so clearly) but the child of my imagination, and if I get the presentation wrong, the child of my imagination will never have a chance!
In spite of which I’ll be pitching away at two conferences that I know about — WisRWA in Wisconsin and National in DC. And quaking and hoping.
Beppie – It’s so true. Pitching is hard and scary. Much good wishes for both your pitching times and hopefully we’ll connect in DC.
Thanks, Christie. You can bet if it can be crossed on my body, I’ve got it crossed in hopes it’ll all go well!
Wow! Ladies you are all so brave and amazing. At this point, I can’t even imagine being in that situation. Thanks, Vicki for the insight. Good luck to you all!
Hey Chasing – you’ll be there before you know it. You’re doing great with your writing goals.
I was terrified, then had to do a group pitch – hated that.
One of the first pitches I got involved with was a group pitch, to an editor. She told us at the beginning that she was going to ask for a partial from everyone and then told us what she was looking for, which didn’t fit what I had to offer. No one else had a chance to speak.
In the end I sent the partial, because who knows?, but she never replied. At all. Not one of my better publishing experiences . . .
Hey LKap! I remember the group pitch you did. She requested though.
Beppie, So she told she’d request everyone and didn’t really let you guys pitch? Wow.
I’m sorry you never heard back though.
Just reading that made me nervous. I’ll stick to being a devoted reader.
Brandy, we’re so glad you’re a devoted reader. You’re the best kind.
Vicki,
You were there when I did my very first pitch…I think you could see my knees shaking and my hands were as cold as the arctic caps.
I’m a hermit by nature and would rather write a query letter than to talk to someone…so making a pitch is extremely hard for me…I know it’s hard to believe, but I am very shy…
I became a writer thinking I could do it all through the pen and was shocked when I found out I had to do pitches as well, to sell a book.
Ah, I will do it but I’ll never enjoy it or like it.
Hawk