fiction pitch

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The Motion of the Ocean

Writing a Pitch for Fiction

The scoop...
Fiction is a little different than nonfiction. You actually have to WRITE THE BOOK before you can sell it. But it’s OK (maybe even smart) to pitch your book idea before it’s finished. And, as one agent told me, a “Yes” never expires. So if an agent or editor likes your book idea in 2007, you can send whatever they’ve requested (the first fifty pages, three chapters, etc.) in 2010. Of course, you might have to jog their memory.

Which brings us to writing a memorable pitch...

A fiction pitch includes:
1. Title and genre/audience
2. Setting—set the stage: Who are the characters, where are they, what has been happening to them of late?
3. Hook: The conflict or problem the hero/ine must overcome; a compelling turn of events that changes the course of the narrative
4. Resolution: A wrap-up that doesn’t necessarily give away your ending but evokes an emotion or big concept
(Above adapted from Jandy Nelson’s “Pitch Perfect” in Katharine Sands’ Making the Perfect Pitch)

Steps to writing your pitch:
1. Answer the brainstorming questions below.
2. Circle the words, phrases, and information that best capture the essence of your book.
3. Organize this info into roughly 3 sentences: Setting, Hook, Resolution.
4. Play w/ phrasing, tone, order, details, delivery until your pitch is informative & punchy.
5. Ask for specific feedback from others. Is it clear? Is it compelling? What could improve?
6. Based on their feedback, revise your pitch. Share it again. Repeat till you’ve got it right.

Brainstorming questions:
You won’t include all this in your pitch, but it should get the juices flowing…
1. Describe your main character. What makes her special or quirky? What motivates her? What is her life like at the beginning of the novel; what’s the status quo?
2. Describe the setting of the novel. Era, geographical location, political climate, etc. Only use vital setting details in your pitch.
3. What happens to the main character that changes everything? What turns his world upside down?
4. What does the main character need or want? How can he get it? What/who is standing in his way? Consider including the antagonist, but only if you can be clear and concise.
5. What must the main character risk in order to achieve her goal?
6. What is the climax of the story? Is there a cliff-hanger you should use in your pitch? What does the reader most want to learn by the end of the story?
7. What are the novel’s main themes or big concepts? What is discovered, learned, or revealed by the end of the story?
8. How will the novel make readers feel?
9. Who will buy your book and why? Think specifics—gender, age, income, experience, etc.
What other books are like yours?

Feel free to use this! Here’s where credit is due:
copyright © Janna Cawrse Esarey 2009
author of The Motion of the Ocean, www.byjanna.com
from my “Pitching without Being Pushy” workshop, PNWA Conference 2009

In case you missed it, writing a nonfiction pitch is similar, but a little different...

This information comes from from my “Pitching without Being Pushy” workshop, PNWA Conference 2009.

If you’d like me to talk to your group, email me.

Curious how to pronounce my name? It’s easy.
JAN-nuh Course ES-uh-ree
Rhymes with banana of course yesiree

copyright © 2009 janna cawrse esarey
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