tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post8983981176793833949..comments2024-03-12T05:11:42.096-07:00Comments on Write of Passage: Pitching to Agents at ConferencesLinda Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00464543671077860561noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-81159084404855107392011-03-10T20:06:29.722-08:002011-03-10T20:06:29.722-08:00Me, too, Donea! Nerves can be so upsetting. It he...Me, too, Donea! Nerves can be so upsetting. It helps a lot to practice with friends (or even the mirror), as Heather said in her comment. But agents do know we get nervous, and understand. Best of luck at Pike's Peak! (It really is all about the writing, no matter what anyone says!)Linda Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18001433214194860481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-121722673477237502011-03-10T15:22:28.887-08:002011-03-10T15:22:28.887-08:00Hi Linda ~ Erica& Christy sent me your way. T...Hi Linda ~ Erica& Christy sent me your way. These are some excellent tips! I have pitched to an agent before. Sadly, it was kind of a nightmare for me. My nerves have a habit of always getting the best of me. But, I'm going to try again at the Pike's Peak conference at the end of April, so these tips are timely. Thanks!Donea Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15393184831994368021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-32184797450906820442011-03-08T07:25:59.329-08:002011-03-08T07:25:59.329-08:00I hope you do get to a pitch conference, Stina, if...I hope you do get to a pitch conference, Stina, if that appeals at all. The number I've heard for request success is 60%--there's a 60% chance of getting a request for your material at a conference where you pitch your book. Pitch to several agents; you're likely to get some requests. My own experience bears that out. You might love it!Linda Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18001433214194860481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-84547572504933443232011-03-07T20:11:24.350-08:002011-03-07T20:11:24.350-08:00This is an awesome post. I've never had the ch...This is an awesome post. I've never had the chance to pitch before (they don't do it at the LA SCBWI conference). I also thought it was no different than the slushpile (okay, maybe a little quicker) because agents were just as likely to reject your pitch as they were the query. Now I know better.Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-34245366654299403942011-03-07T16:51:57.892-08:002011-03-07T16:51:57.892-08:00You're welcome, Laura! I hope it's useful...You're welcome, Laura! I hope it's useful.Linda Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18001433214194860481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-53329808710557590092011-03-07T16:23:05.820-08:002011-03-07T16:23:05.820-08:00These are great pitch tips--thanks!! :DThese are great pitch tips--thanks!! :DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-5924514380205095882011-03-07T16:07:22.837-08:002011-03-07T16:07:22.837-08:00No better than the slushpile? I haven't heard...No better than the slushpile? I haven't heard that one. A lot of agents do request materials freely at conferences, though. Actually, if it's a writers membership organization that's putting on the conference, like PNWA (the Pacific Northwest Writers Association), the agents there figure you must be serious about writing since you not only came to the conference but are a member of PNWA, which has a good reputation. They know from experience that they will get more professional submissions there than what comes in with the average unsolicited email query.<br /><br />(Thanks for the profile email reminder! I think I finally got it fixed. Sorry about that!)Linda Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18001433214194860481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-28117507195674701242011-03-07T15:59:23.907-08:002011-03-07T15:59:23.907-08:00Christy, that's exciting that you're going...Christy, that's exciting that you're going to post your logline on your blog. I will definitely be there to check it out! Can't wait to see what your book's about.Linda Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18001433214194860481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-47115268112846061932011-03-07T15:57:01.849-08:002011-03-07T15:57:01.849-08:00Thanks, Michael. I'm glad you found it intere...Thanks, Michael. I'm glad you found it interesting— hope it comes in handy!Linda Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18001433214194860481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-41467518043129515022011-03-07T15:52:44.959-08:002011-03-07T15:52:44.959-08:00Karlene, if they ONLY represent YA/MG, then maybe...Karlene, if they ONLY represent YA/MG, then maybe they could resist our grownup stories; otherwise I simply can't imagine they would!<br /><br />Heather, thanks for that comment and especially the addition of the advice to practice the pitch. Yes, you are so right! Getting comfortable enough to focus on the story instead of the words is key.Linda Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18001433214194860481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-24610453142040847992011-03-07T15:10:29.110-08:002011-03-07T15:10:29.110-08:00Thanks, Linda!! We've been looking up a ton of...Thanks, Linda!! We've been looking up a ton of info on this lately, too. Some agents say they requests materials from every person who pitches since they put all the effort/money into it, while others say it's no better than the slushpile. So yes, preparation (at least as much as we put into our queries - which is a lot) is going to be key. Thanks for the advice!<br />erica<br />(Linda, btw, the email in your profile keeps kicking back to me)erica and christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13074820593371226159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-52119170855365466262011-03-07T12:39:08.868-08:002011-03-07T12:39:08.868-08:00I'm so glad you told us about this post today!...I'm so glad you told us about this post today!!!! It's incredibly helpful. (Maybe in a month I'll have something to add!) For now, I'll go with this. :0) I'll be posting my logline in a day or two on my blog, you'll have to stop by and see whether or not I put your advice to good use! I'll need the help! Christyerica and christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13074820593371226159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-84769776808038085562011-03-07T09:38:46.333-08:002011-03-07T09:38:46.333-08:00Hi, Linda,
This is fantastic advise! I'm not ...Hi, Linda,<br /><br />This is fantastic advise! I'm not attending any conferences soon, but I will definitely copy and past this post in my files for the future...<br /><br />MichaelMichael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-36521051477866384282011-03-07T09:33:10.301-08:002011-03-07T09:33:10.301-08:00This is excellent advice Linda! One thing I would ...This is excellent advice Linda! One thing I would add is, practice your pitch to your friends, in the mirror, other conference attendees. It helps to get it down so when you pitch to the agent you can focus not on the words, but on the story. Great post!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-377741836634273944.post-42615539537045730472011-03-07T08:52:29.672-08:002011-03-07T08:52:29.672-08:00Linda thank you for great pitching advice. If we c...Linda thank you for great pitching advice. If we can do everything you suggested here, and share it with enthusiasm and passion, how can they not want to read it? I am going to read this again before PNWA conference in August. Your advice is incredible! Thank you.Karlene Petitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17910702587514001827noreply@blogger.com