Pitching
Thursday, 28 January 2010
A little update on progress (or not!) with pitching my novel. On the 11th January I posted 5 queries to a shortlist of agents I had identified. Seventeen days later and I have only received one of the stamped, self-addressed postcards I included for the agents to acknowledge receipt. I can only assume then that the other 4 packs have not been opened as yet, or, horror of horrors, that they may have been lost in the post. Not being known for my patience, I am mildly frustrated by this, but the best course of action is to focus on writing my next novel and investigate other avenues to sell ‘Thirty Seconds Before Midnight’.
On Twitter earlier in the week I saw that US literary agency, Caren Johnson, was inviting online pitches of 100 words today and so I have submitted mine:
“‘Thirty Seconds Before Midnight’ – a rock and roll tragedy.
Fusty old aristocrats, the Arnolds, flee their ruined country pile and rock legend Dave Palmer and his family move in. Dave has plans to transform the estate into a spiritual sanctuary for the creatively blocked. Bob, the keeper of the dilapidated menagerie and his daughter Stella find themselves fighting for their home and livelihood. Any trick will do, including snagging one of Dave’s twin sons.”
Helpfully, Caren also provides some advice on pitching in her post ‘Knowing What You’re Selling’. I have my first opportunity to pitch my book face to face to an agent (in a three minute slot) towards the end of February at the VWC Get Writing Conference in Hertfordshire (something I also found out about on Twitter). Having been in the business of selling for my entire working life, this shouldn’t be difficult for me, and it’s not. I have the product, my book, and I have the pitch sorted. Now I just need to find someone who will listen!