Here's what to do:
A. First read some of the previous posts about pitches and hooks. For example, this one and this one.B. Second, read the post about 25-word pitches here, and at least some of the 117 comments!
C. Then, if you'd like us to help with your pitch, do this:
- Email your pitch paragraph to me at writingtutor@hotmail.co.uk, in the body of the email, not as an attachment.
- In the email, tell me whether you want your real name used, and tell me what genre the book is and, if for children, the age range.
- Make sure that your pitch is as good as you can make it, following these guidelines:
- every word must count
- it needs must-read factor, in keeping with the genre
- it should focus on the main character (if fiction)
- it must be specific and not general - eg not "it's about redemption" but "it's about an angry young man who...because...and then"
- it must indicate how the story ends or at least where the journey is heading
- it should not contain rhetorical questions
- the tone must reflect the tone of the book
- it must be objective and therefore contain no praisey bits. You cannot say "beautifully written", for example. Though you can say "fast-moving".
- your target word count is as close to 160 words as possible
- in essence, your aim is to make someone who would normally read and love this genre be desperate to read this book :))
I usually get a lot of people sending pitches in for this so I can't promise to include yours. What I do promise is that I will not set you up for failure, in the sense that I won't put it on the blog if I think you are going to get mostly negative feedback. My blog readers are an incredibly supportive and sensible bunch and feedback has been of high quality but sometimes I feel that a pitch isn't really ready for public scrutiny and then I won't put it up. But if I don't put yours up it might be just that I didn't have space! I also try to vary the genres.
Meanwhile, today I am wearing my red pointy boots at an award ceremony that Wasted is shortlisted for. It's called the RED award and personally I think I should win simply because the cover is red. And so are my boots. What more does anyone want??
15 comments:
Red wine?
Good luck with the award - hopefully we'll all be raising a red glass with you later.
Oooh, exciting. Best of luck, Nicola, but even if it doesn't win, it flipping well should. Not that I'm biased or anything.
Oh Nicola... I should be busy packing, but I can't resist the challenge!!!
Will be in touch...
Nicola, I have red cowboy boots and they are the best darn thing I ever laid eyes on. Worthy of many, many awards. Go red! (Will pitch)
Good luck re that award!
I won! Seriously! *dances and waves red boots around*
Thanks to those who have sent pitches already - it will be a while before I can get to them as I'm struggling after moving from PC to mac, but I will always let you know before I use your pitch, so you will have a warning.
Woo! Congratulations! Never underestimate the power of red shoes...
Serious congrats.
YAAAY!!! 'Red' rules! Well done, Nicola, well deserved :D
Was going to submit a pitch, then remembered I already did *heh* ... shame ebay don't sell replacement, working brains!
Thank you, everyone!
Joy - I see you've got a WOLF in your picture! Hooray for wolves!
Does this mean we can soon look forward to 'Perfect Your Pitch' becoming an e-book? :) I'd be first in the queue to purchase, that's for sure!
Hi Nicola - sorry if I've missed it - when is the last date for this?
Thanks
Kirsty - there's no last date. It's ongoing. It's just that every now and then we have a rush of them. In fact, next week I'm putting one pitch up every day! But just send yours whenever you're ready. But remember: no promises. Sometimes there are just too many.
Margaret - nice idea but I think it would be a short book!
Ok - thanks. Will see what I can do but expect nothing. Just getting it done will be a great start anyway ;o)
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