Pitching Your Book to an Editor or Agent

Attending writing conferences can be advantageous in many ways. See this post for reasons why it’s a good idea to attend a writing conference. Another reason?

Most conferences invite editors and/or agents to participate in the conference. You can learn a tremendous amount about the publishing world by listening to editor and/or agent presentations.

Another benefit is that the editors and agents who attend the conference may offer pitch sessions. Do not underestimate this opportunity. Here are some ways you can prepare to pitch your book to an editor or agent:

One Sentence

Write a concise one-sentence summary of your book. It may sound difficult, but with practice you can come up a one-sentence synopsis of your book. Try to make your sentence less than 40 words. This is your 30-second selling opportunity. Make sure your sentence includes the main character, the story goal, the major conflict, and the ending. The more concise the better. Try writing several different sentences about your book so you can use the one that is most appealing. For example, Gone With The Wind might read, “Scarlett O’Hara, a spoiled southern belle who loses everything, must learn to adapt to post-Civil War life.”

Prepare Follow-Up

If the editor or agent is interested, follow-up with a more detailed explanation of your story. Don’t include unnecessary details, but include enough to whet the editor’s or agent’s appetite. Be prepared to answer questions about your book such as theme, target audience, marketing ideas, or any other information that will help sell the editor or agent on your book. Remember, this is your time to sell your story.

Appearance

Make sure that you are on time to your appointment and that you are dressed professionally. The editor or agent is assessing whether or not he/she may want to work with you and if you come to your appointment dressed in sweats or ragged clothing, needing a shower or shave, and chomping on gum you’ll likely not make a good impression on the editor or agent. Dress conservatively, don’t chew gum, make sure your breath smells good (a few mints will help), and that your general appearance is neat.

This is your chance to tell an editor or agent why your book is worth his or her time and why it will sell. Don’t get so nervous you blow your chance, but show the editor or agent your excitement about your book. If you aren’t excited about your book, he/she won’t be either.