Wednesday, July 25, 2018

The Daunting Agent Face to Face Pitch

    Hi Fellow Writers!
    All week I've been reading, watching how-to videos and sweating over my pitch for an upcoming workshop and Agent Pitch session.  As difficult as we all may think this is, it is well worth the effort when an Agent hands you a business card and says the words, "I want to know more."

    I'd like to share with you the main points you must get across in those precious moments you have with the agent.

    *Dress comfortably yet professional. (Business casual)
    *Smile and relax. The Agents DO want to hear your story.
    *Don't talk too much. Give the agent a chance to ask questions.
    *Be prepared to answer those questions.
         Sample questions from Agents:
             Who is your audience?
             What is your platform?
             Why you? Why now?
             Why would YOU buy your book?
    *If you have ten minutes and you pitch in three, don't leave.
      Ask questions.
    *Do not use vague terms. Be specific.
    *Do cover setting, protagonist and problem.
    *Make sure you have a good hook.
    *Practice in front of a mirror. Practice to an audience.

There is so much information on the Internet. Take advantage of that and read up.

Remember to always keep smiling and submitting!
                                                 


Friday, July 20, 2018

No time like the present to get back to submitting in 2018!

Let's Get Busy!
So what's new with you?

I'm waiting to hear the results of the 2018 Rehoboth Beach Reads Short Story Contest sponsored by Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Entrants should be notified by the first week in August. Three cash prizes will be given & 20+ stories will be published in a beach read by the end of the year. Thank you Cat and Mouse Press.  The 2018 theme is Beach Fun! Right up my alley. I sure do love anything beach related. I've never met a beach I didn't like.
I've submitted two entries but regardless of the contest results, I have enjoyed reading the prior contest beach reads. Check them out if you haven't already.

I'm attending a one day Writer's Conference in two weeks and plan to pitch to agents while there. More on that in another post.

I'm also scheduled to attend a Celebrity Workshop in October. I'm excited. I hope to see you there.

Last year I joined a writer's critique group and with another author sista, created a new group, Florida Gulf Coast Writer's Circle. The group brings me great joy and support.

No matter what disrupts your life for the short or long term, never stop expressing yourself in whatever creative way brings YOU joy.
Remember, Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and Keep Smiling!