Here are some notes from a panel at life the universe and everything.
- On a pitch don’t worry about spoilers.
- Ask them do you want a spoiler or non-spoiler version?
- Define the major problem of the story.
- Share stakes of the story
- Main character
- Avoid names in your pitch. Main character
- Give a specific best friend
- Avoid sidekicks unless important story.
- Have two to three characters, a hero and a villain. Those important to the story.
- Age of character if under 25
- Sf orFor steampunk mention elements. Fantasy wizards; ask what kind of magic system?
- Pitch: loved intro, lost on internal (magic emotion, physical powers, and nutrients of the land. Conflict, magic vague. Specify of how the world is at stake.
- Some form of greeting, like “good morning,” can help it make personal.
- Good to have multiple pitch lengths available.
- How do I win the battle?
- Mention a popular book that is written.
- For works in progress, provide an estimate of expected word length.
- For romance novels talk about romance in the pitch. This is the romance novel and this is how this is how these two people fall in love.
- A person will ask a question that is specific to the type of publisher.
- “What is your social media presence?
- Publishers are happier with people who already have a media presence.
- Some publishers see self-published is ok. May show your ability to promote yourself.
- Look up numbers for specifics of what publishers are looking for. If over 90K we get nervous. Bigger word count may be received by a publisher once you’ve proven yourself.
- Knowing the genera and using terms show publisher you are famili8ar with the business.
- Define epic fantasy. Look at the publishers’ preferences.
- Some elevator pitch: if Perce Jackson meets so and so. > need to give a sense of how your story connects.
- If inciting incident must not take too long. Write down a whole page summary. It a pitch, provide a plot summary, magic system, and compact details.
Do you have something to add? If you do, please respond in the comment section of this blog. Thanks.
