ADVICE FOR ALL YOU PITCH VIRGINS

You’ve most likely read more than one article about deciding which editors and agents might be interested in your story; crafting an impressive short pitch, long pitch and (the all-important) elevator pitch; what to wear, what to say, and what not to say; how to relax, how to take notes, and the importance of practice—and more.

I decided to share something new: Lessons Learned from my ‘disastrous’ First Pitch. Ever. 


I attended the 2008 RWA National Conference with my sister, who is also a romance writer. We were both Pitch Virgins. We ended up assigned to pitch to an agent we’d never heard of because…okay, I forget why. Stuff happens at conferences.

Anyway, we looked up our pitch target, Nathan Bransford. Turned out he worked for Curtis Brown, a reputable agency that’s been around forever. And he’d been writing one heck-of-a-funny industry blog for a couple of years. He was looking for all types of romance. We both relaxed a little after getting familiar with him through his blog.

When the time came for me to pitch, a Writer Who Will Not Be Named came unraveled all over the Conference Volunteer because somehow we’d both been slated for the same time slot with Mr. Bransford. I suspected  WWWNBN would see blood on the floor before she'd give up her spot.

I figured that mistakes happen, and no single pitch appointment is going to make or break my career, because I won't let it.  The mistake wasn’t the poor volunteer’s fault. So I smiled and told her to give WWWNBN my spot. After thanking me profusely, the volunteer promised to make sure I got a chance to pitch to...someone.

I waited with my sister for her pitch appointment. A few minutes later, the WWWNBN exited the Pitch Room with tears streaming down her face. Apparently the appointment she’d wanted so badly hadn’t gone well.

The volunteer who’d dealt with WWWNBN's tantrum approached me with a smile on her face. She was so grateful that I’d defused the situation that she’d spoken to Mr. Bransford, who graciously volunteered to give up part of his lunch break to hear my pitch.

I thanked her for her kindness, then bought Agent Bransford a roll of Lifesavers candy from the hotel gift shop (in case he was starved for lunch) as a token of my appreciation.

When the time came, we laughed together over my choice of candy. I pitched my not-yet-finished book to him and he asked me to query him when the book was complete. He told me to jog his memory in my query letter that I was the writer who brought him Lifesavers when he was starving, because he’d never forget that.

He forgave me for pitching an unfinished book; he learned I’m no diva; and he remembers me in a good way!  Who could ask for more from a first pitch?

So relax! Stuff happens.
Could be good news, could be bad news. You never know!

Conference Experiences of a Relative Novice

I made the decision a few months ago to attend the RWA National Conference this year in New York City. At the same time made the commitment to make an editor/agent appointment in order to pitch a book while I'm there. Confession time: This will be my first time pitching and, yes, I'm damned nervous about it. Since it is my first time, I don't have much to say about pitching right now. See me later in July, I'm sure I'll have more to say on the subject then. :-)

Conferences, though, are a different story. Others on this blog have already said some of the same things, but there are three things about conferences that I think ring pretty true: 1) you'll get something different out of a conference than I will; 2) not all writing conferences are right for all writers; and 3) not all writers need (or even want) to attend conferences.

Since I'm still a relative novice at conferences, I thought I'd share my experiences so far. This will be my third National Conference and I'm looking forward to this one for very different reasons than I had for attending the first two (San Francisco and Washington, D.C.).

I went to San Francisco because it was close and I was familiar with the area, having just moved to Oregon from San Jose less than a year earlier. I was very curious about the conference experience and thought it would be easier if the first one I attended was in familiar surroundings. I'm not the most extroverted person on the planet and I was at the very beginning of my journey towards publication. I didn't have a finished book to pitch or that I could talk about when asked what I write. I figured out pretty quickly that I probably should have been prepared for questions about my writing, but it honestly didn't occur to me before I left for the conference. There were times I felt a little foolish not knowing what to say, but that was my problem--the people asking were being polite, not trying to put me on the spot. Technically, this conference might have come at a time that was a bit early in my career for me to attend, but I'm glad I did. I sat in on some interesting workshops on the craft of writing, got an understanding of how the conference works, and I had a terrific time.

I came away from San Francisco revved up and intending to have a book ready for the next National Conference in Washington, D.C. Long story short, a year later and that book didn't exist. I'd learned a lot during that year, though, and since things were going good at the Day Job I decided I'd still attend the conference. I was a lot more comfortable that time around since I already had an idea of what to expect. Still not being an extrovert, though, I think I actually had fewer conversations than I did in San Francisco. That might have been because I was doing a lot of people watching (and I think I project invisibility when I do that). It had been years since I was last in D.C., so I'll also confess to spending some of the time on the Mall and at the Smithsonian. As for the workshops, most of the ones I went to were still craft related, but I attended a smattering of career oriented workshops as well.

That was two years ago. Last year was the year of many changes for me and I didn't attend the conference in Orlando. I've listened to most of the recordings of the conference workshops. And I can say from those recordings that the workshops just keep getting better. If you can't go to a conference, the recordings are a great way of getting about 50% of the benefit of being there.

I say 50% because I think there's a great deal to be said for attending in person. There's an energy at National that I can't adequately describe. You can feel it as soon as you get to the hotel. It's a buzz that's generated by the excitement of being around other people who are doing the same thing you're doing and love the same thing you love--writing. It's quite an experience.

I have two goals for this year's conference. The first is to get through that pitch. The second is to talk to people. Of the two, I think the second is the harder for me. (LOL) Wish me luck!

As far as tips go, about the best thing I can recommend if you're attending a conference is to relax. Most conferences are designed with multiple things going on at the same time. You can't be in more than one place at a time, so it's inevitable that you'll stress over possibly missing something important. It can't be helped. So enjoy each event you choose to attend, and if it's National and you can afford it, buy the recordings to listen to the things you couldn't be at in person. Don't let the schedule get in the way of your having a great time.

Writer People, Please!!! Control Your Conference Karma

Current Project: Putting together two proposals requested by an agent
Status: Beginning

So you’re going to a writers conference! Could be good news for your writing career; could be bad news: too early to tell. Many a writer’s career took off at a conference; many took a nosedive.

What controls whether or not your attendance is a good idea?

Your attitude and your behavior. Cool, huh? Your conference destiny is within your control! That doesn’t mean controlling it is easy or instinctive. Hard work and painful self-awareness are involved. Here are my no-holds-barred tips to get you prepared:

1.)    Know what you want to get out of this particular conference.

Having goals and focus is important if you want to make the most of your conference attendance. Your goal for your first conference may be simply to discover what it’s like and how it works. Some conferences offer unique opportunities, such as the chance to attend a workshop taught by someone you admire, or the chance to network with people from all over the country, or the chance to pitch to an agent who’s impressed you. Over time, you will grow as a writer. Most likely your needs and goals will change from conference to conference as well.

2.)    Writer people, please!

Remember: your reputation is a terrible thing to waste. Treat everyone with courtesy and respect. If someone is rude or hurts your feelings, write about it in your Conference Negativity Journal. Then focus on your positive experiences—of which there are always many more. First and foremost, don’t gossip, criticize or complain. Be professional.


After the conference, take your negativity journal home and burn it in your backyard fire pit. Cleanse any remaining anger from your soul. Decide if there’s a lesson to be learned from the unhappy experience. Then move on.

3.)   Build positive karma.

Volunteering adds to your positive image, besides giving you additional chances to network. For example, if you introduce a speaker (AKA agent, editor, best-selling author, up-and-coming writer), that person will remember you. That’s networking at its finest!


Or you might help set up the banquet hall with another unpublished writer, and two years later she may be a best-selling author who will remember you and agree to give you a quote for your debut book. I kid you not; these things happen. That’s positive karma at work.

4.)    Don’t chicken out. (Liar! You know exactly what I mean.)

If you plan to pitch, then pitch, dammit! The more you put yourself out there as a writer, the easier it gets. Really. Most agents and editors are very nice people who want to help writers. Even if they aren’t interested in your story, many will give you invaluable advice as well as feedback on your pitch.

5.)    Spread the love.

Smile, smile, and smile some more. Bolster spirits. Encourage participation. Ask questions. Really listen to others. Share the limelight. Hang out with other smiling people. Thank everyone for everything.


Remember that Conference Negativity Journal? Keep a Conference Gratitude Journal as well. Treasure this record of your conference experience. Read it often. Feel your power.

And smile.