Perfect Pitch—Grabbing My Attention by Literary Agent Susan Brower

I can tell you right now, I am not a big fan of April Fool’s Day! Mostly because I am usually the one at the receiving end of the punchline.  But I do love that it also means Opening Day for baseball. So, what do the end of Speedbo and the beginning of baseball season have in common?  It’s time for the BIG PITCH!

Today, I’m going to tell you what works for me after over twenty years publishing fiction and in my new role as an agent for Natasha Kern Literary Agency. It may not be what you are told by other agents and editors at conferences or workshops, it’s what I have experienced to be successful.  

Like it or not, the only way you are going to sell your novel is to learn to be a Sales Rep! And your proposal is your sales kit!  You can think of the pitch is the jingle that gets our attention. So, other than writing a stellar novel, your proposal is the first and most important piece of marketing material you will ever create for you book.

What should be included?

Ø  Jacket Blurb: This should be 250 words of compelling copy that grabs the reader. Take a few minutes and look at the backs of your favorite books in the genre in which you are writing. What was it about the jacket copy that intrigued you? What is the tone?

Ø  Short Summary: One to one and a half pages of description that tells the beginning, middle, and end of your story. Include major characters, story arcs and conflicts.

Ø  Hook/Pitch: A two to three line reason this book will appeal to readers. Focus on what you think will be important to them.

Ø  Overview: First, note if the manuscript is complete and how many words it has. Then write the overview. This is not a retelling of the story, but rather a commercial for it. What reader need does this fulfill? What trends does it support? Are there popular movies or films or television series that attract the same audience? Is there any historical significance to the time or setting of your novel?

Literary Agent Susan Brower

Ø  Comparable Titles: Which authors and titles are your fans buying now? This is a very important element if you are a newer author. What I want to know and what the publisher wants to know is “Who is the audience for your novel? And you have to be specific. “All romance readers” is not enough.  “Fans of Mary Connealy and contemporary romance with cowboy heroes will want to read my books.” You can find other novels that fit this audience by looking at “Customers Also Bought” on Amazon. Try to stick with novels published in the last two-three years that have similar tone, structure, and themes. 

Ø  Author Bio: Keep this tight. Include things like “best-selling,” award-winning.” Is there anything that makes you more qualified to write this novel? Do you have a speaking schedule?

Ø  Author Track Record: List all of your previously published books and sales if you know them.

Ø  Reviews and Endorsements: These can be from previously published novels or reviews. My rule of thumb for all authors is to seek endorsements from people in the same genre who are well known.

Ø  Marketing: Hopefully you have been paying attention and online and have some ideas for how you can market your book. How are you going to partner with the publisher? How are you going to increase your presence on social media?

¨      Facebook

¨      Twitter

¨      Blog

¨      Website

It’s always good to include numbers if you think they are significant. How many followers, friends, and subscribers do you have in your various forms of social media?

These are all the elements that an agent or acquisitions editor needs to determine whether they will accept or reject a novel. Yes, we can always come back to you for more information once we our interest is captured. But it is so much easier for me to respond to an author if I have all the pieces right there in front of me.

Overall, this is just a guide. Make it work for you. If you are missing information for any one section, emphasize another. You don’t have a track record? Ok, this is where you have to make your overview and comparable titles really work for you. In most cases, though, it is the first three sections, Jacket Blurb, Short Summary, and Hook/Pitch that are going to catch the eye of your potential editor or agent.

These are just some of the elements that make a great proposal. There are also some elements that have little to do with what you present, but how you present it.

¨      Proofread all your materials!

¨      Include the title, approximate word count and status of the manuscript in your queries.

¨      Research your agent and publisher targets.

¨      Read and follow the submission guidelines!

¨      Don’t send queries until your manuscript is finished.

¨      Send proposals with documents attached NOT inserted into the text of the email.

¨      Always send sample chapters with your proposals (usually three chapters or about fifty pages if chapters are shorter).

¨      Send the full manuscript only when asked.

¨      Proofread all your materials (It’s important enough to say twice).

Pitch Perfect

Questions?  What is the most difficult part of a proposal for you to write? What recommendations would you make to your fellow authors?  Are you overwhelmed with the “selling” part of the writing process? Please share you questions and experiences with the group.

A chance to pitch to Susan Brower. We can all learn how she wants you to pitch to her the next two days--but you are eligible to enter the contest--ONLY if you were involved in SPEEDBO--The rules are under the rules tab at the top of the page for our PERFECT PITCH CONTEST!

 

Sue Brower is an agent with Natasha Kern Literary Agent www.natashakern.com. She is looking for novels in the Suspense, Romance (contemporary and historical), and Women’s Fiction categories.  She is also a consultant and freelance developmental editor at Susan Brower Editorial www.susanbrower.com.