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To ask for advice re book pitch

7 replies

Lydiaatthebarre · 19/09/2018 13:40

I have the opportunity, next week, to make a pitch to a publisher regarding a children's book I am writing.

I am excited but terrified. Are there any publishers or writers on here who could give me some tips? Do I need to outline the entire story, as there's a few details that are flexible and might change? Would it be better to give an overview? Also any other tips would be great.

OP posts:
Likeawolf · 19/09/2018 13:53

I'm assuming it's in person? If so, try and summarise your book in one or two sentences. Keep it short and clear -- you don't need to give every detail, just a clear idea of the premise, the storyline (in brief) and the age group of the intended audience (i.e. is it a middle grade book? Is it a chapter book? A YA?)

Ask if they might be interested in you submitting the first three chapters and synopsis when you have finished the manuscript (standard submission package for both publishers and agents). What you're aiming for here is to make a connection that you can follow up on when you have a complete and polished manuscript. Don't worry too much if they don't express much interest -- it's hard for publishers and agents to get excited about unfinished manuscripts. It doesn't mean they won't be excited when they see the finished product.

My main advice would be to be careful not to submit your book before it's ready. Make sure it's been through several drafts and ideally been under the eye of someone who has editing and proofreading skills. So many novels with real potential don't get picked up because they have been submitted before they have been polished.

Are you a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers' and Ilustrators)? It's a great organisation and can put you in touch with lots of other pre-published children's writers. I also recommend reading up on the publication process/submission dos and don'ts on website's like Nicola Morgan's helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com/ (it's full of great advice on all aspects of writing for children even though it's no longer being update).

Happy to answer any other questions.

Likeawolf · 19/09/2018 13:54

websites not website's!

And good luck!

Lydiaatthebarre · 19/09/2018 13:57

Hi

Yes I'm a member of SCBWI. This is an initiative being run by a very well regarded publishers. They are inviting writers to do a ten minute pitch and the ones who have interested them will be asked to send in a few chapters of their written work.

I am wondering if I should include details such as proposed word count or chapters? Also will they want evidence that I read current children's literature. I read loads, but my mind has gone blank on stuff I've read lately and I don't want that to happen during the pitch.

Ten minutes seems like a long time so I also don't know if there will be questions from the publisher.

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

OP posts:
Likeawolf · 19/09/2018 14:28

Great that you're a member of the SCBWI! Do you have a writer friend you could test out your pitch on?

I would prepare for it by writing out a bullet-list of the points you're aiming to cover and write out a short prepared pitch that you can go over (you don't have to memorise every word but it's good to have a plan to quell your nerves!) Something along the lines of:

Hello X, thanks for your time.

I'm writing a children's book aimed at xx-year-olds which will be approx. xx words when it's finished (this will demonstrate that you understand the general rules regarding age ranges and word counts and in answer to your question above, it's definitely a detail they will want to know).

It's a comedy-drama/contemporary/historical fiction/fantasy/thriller/coming of age tale about XX Character name.

Then follow up with two or three sentences summing up the story try and make it as punchy and exciting as possible. Try also to include a compelling detail about your protagonist what you want here is for the publisher to want to know more and to ask you a few questions about the story. Don't worry about them asking you something you don't know or haven't decided -- they understand what a WIP is and means. If you are passionate about your story it will show, and it will go a long way to making them want to read some of it.

Questions to prepare for:

Have you been writing long?
Is this your first manuscript?
How would you describe your style? (If you want to bring in some other author names make sure you say something like: 'I think it might appeal to the audience of xx and xx' rather than saying you are 'like' any one out there). You are different and they will want you to be different. Publishers are always on the search for someone new and fresh.

Think of it as a conversation rather than a ten-minute pitch (you're right, that would be a LONG pitch!)

Yes, I think it would be a good idea to be prepared to answer a question on what you have enjoyed reading recently. It's an industry based on passion so you need to show you are as passionate about reading books as you are about writing them. Make sure the titles are recent enough to demonstrate that you're aware of what's being published now.

Also, the publisher will ask questions but remember this is also your opportunity to ask questions of your own. Try and ask something that shows you know what's out there and are interested in current trends (though also remember that what you are seeing in shops was commissioned at least a year and often two years before sure you know this though!) Maybe ask if there is a particular genre/type of story that they prefer or aren't seeing enough of or just compliment a recent publication of theirs -- they'll appreciate it and it might make them more receptive!

Really hope some of the above is helpful. But even if it doesn't result in the outcome you're hoping for, please remember there will be lots of other opportunities out there. Once you have a good book in your hands, everything else will follow. The most important thing is making sure your book is as good and 'ready' as it can be before it goes out.

Wishing you lots of luck!

Lydiaatthebarre · 19/09/2018 14:54

That is extremely helpful. Thank you very much for that. You have been very generous.

OP posts:
Likeawolf · 19/09/2018 14:57

I'm so glad if it's helpful. No problem at all -- I'm on a writing deadline so of course procrastinating as much as possible! Really hope it goes well and wishing your book every success.

pollygreen7 · 19/09/2018 15:35

Definitely what the above posts cover. It really depends who you are pitching to (I'm trying to guess!), think really critically about who exactly you are pitching to.

I've been out of publishing for a few years, and it can vary publisher to publisher what they are looking for, but at the large (very commercial) publisher I worked for we normally considered the below:

  • do you have a social media following or involved in any online writing communities? This is by no means essential, but almost all authors I know were expected to show some enthusiasm to set up and maintain accounts.
  • is there any connection to your personal/ professional life? ie, are you a dance teacher writing a book about a dance school? A teacher/ librarian who noticed a gap in the market? Try and think about how a publicist would pitch you. Is there something interesting behind your writing story?
  • do you have any plans for future titles? next in series etc. How quickly could you write book 2? could you take a career break to do this?

I'd also be aware of the publisher's key successes over the past few years, and who their key backlist authors are. Maybe see if any of their books have featured in The Guardian/ Times etc recently.

Sorry wrote this in a bit of a dash, hope it's useful. Mainly, think about yourself and how they are going to promote you as an author.

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