Twitter Book Pitch Contest at BookEnds Literary Agency

Inkygirl reports that agents Jessica Faust and Kim Lionetti at the BookEnds Literary Agency are having a twitter book pitch contest. Just twitter your pitch (140 characters or less) when they say go. Be sure to read the rules because they will be opening and closing submissions during what they call "Twitch Week," as tweeting during a non submission period won't count. So check out twitter if you aren't already a member.

Two winning authors will get a critique of their synopses and first three chapters. Let the tweeting begin.

What Genre R U?

Kate's Mystery Books by LenEdgerly Creative Commons


Great post on genre over at BookEnds today.

It looks like the best thing you can do is get it in the right ballpark and then tailor your query to the specific interest of the agents. So though my book is paranormal, it could be a paranormal romance because she has romantic relationships, or it could be paranormal mystery because the whole series is about finding out who killed the MC and her entire family.

Basically don't get too caught up in genre. Regardless of what you think your book is, the writing is what will get your foot in the door. And they can't see the writing if you never send that puppy out there.

Query on.

NIPW - It's Over. I'm Sad

I'm home from Kentucky. This workshop has been one of the best experiences I've had as a writer. The level of writing the participants exhibited was extraordinary. I was amazed at the variety of "novels in progress" at the workshop. Mind boggling!

I have some work to do to finish my synopsis, so I can get it in the mail to two of the agents I talked with this week. And let me just say again (kiss, kiss) how awesome they were.

For all of you planning pitches in the coming months, let me just say this. It's your novel, you wrote it, so therefore you know it better than anyone. Don't try and memorize your pitch. It will come out sounding forced. Instead talk about your book from your heart and head. You know your characters, give them their due. These agents are people just like you and I. And if you pitch to one and she doesn't like it, it's not the end of the world. There are more agents out there. Oh, and another thing. When you pitch, take a breath now and again. Give the agent an opportunity to say something.

If they tell you it's not for them, then thank them for their time and move on. Don't argue.

Winding Down -- Novels in Progress

Well, it's almost over. Just the celebration party tonight, and I'll be heading home tomorrow. But I do have something to celebrate. I had two agents request to see more of my novel. So, as Martha would say, "That's a good thing."

And I have to tell you. All of the agents and the editor here at NIPW were extremely approachable. Not a scary one in the bunch.

Thanks to Jeff and NIPW for making it possible.

Pitching Your Novel - Pubrants Blog Pitch Workshop

Hello, all. Sorry my posts have been sketchy lately. The plague visited my house (cough, cough), I just got a few new writing jobs with fast turnaround times (not that I'm complaining), and I have so many stacks of papers to grade, I'm thinking about opening an Office Depot on the side.

Anyhoo, literary agent Kristin of the invaluable Pubrants blog is doing an enlightening Blog Pitch Workshop on how to write an enticing pitch for your novel. Check it out.

Blog Pitch (Part I--young adult)
Blog Pitch (Part II--young adult)
Blog Pitch (Part III--young adult)
Blog Pitch (Part IV--literary fiction)