Pitchapalooza with The Book Doctors

[Jessica B. Wisniewski]

MG's-

 

Last night, I attended a "Pitchapalooza" with Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry at a local bookstore.  There were between 200-300 people there (almost all new authors), and a panel of 3 senior editors/agents/publishers as well.  Many had not even purchased the book, they were there just to hear what pitches should sound like, and get ideas for their own pitches.

 

It's based around Eckstut and Sterry's "The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published".  The purchase of a book got you a 20-30 minute private phone consultation and a chance to have your number pulled to be amongst the 25 lucky authors to pitch their book that night and get your pitch critiqued.  A winner was chosen from the 25 (by the publishing professionals), and they get a personal introduction to an agent specific to their manuscript/genre.

 

The best part was the opportunity to watch and learn from all the pitches given and how they were critiqued.  It was nerve-racking to get up there and pitch, but SO worth the effort.  Also, being amongst so many new authors (of all genres), it gave me the opportunity to connect with authors nearby, maybe start a writing/crit group.  It was a wonderfully supportive, incisive environment, and I can't urge you enough to look into whether they'll be making a stop near you.

 

If you Google the authors or Pitchapalooza, it should lead to upcoming events, or if you friend the Book Doctors on Facebook, they have tour information there as well.

 

As a side note, I was lucky enough to win the introduction to an agent.  Fingers crossed that it goes well!

[Susan Kaye Quinn]

Good luck! I had seen the ads for Pitchapalooza and wondered what it was like. Thanks for sharing!