Developing Your In-Person Pitch
Pitching your book in under thirty seconds
Latest News from the Desk of Sooz
Writing Prompts
For the DenNerds: The Hunting Moon has a cover!
For the Daydreamers: Developing Your In-Person Pitch
Upcoming Events
1. Latest News from the Desk of Sooz
I just turned 39 over the weekend! It was a lovely, quiet birthday exactly as I like them. It has been a rough month, and my empathy well is all but dry at this point. I definitely hit the edge of burnout and had to pivot away from drafting for a bit so I can refill the well.1
In other news, I am out of my cast and in a…new purple cast. Ha! I was absolutely not expecting this, though I suppose it makes sense. My newly-repaired ligament is super stiff from six weeks locked in one position. Plus, all the muscles in my forearm have atrophied. 🥴 Basically, my left arm is not yet ready to take on the world, so I wear this new cast most of the time…then take it off throughout the day to do exercises for mobility and strength.
(Side note: the amount of dead skin under that cast was 🤢.)
2. Writing Prompts
SHORT STORY ✍️
A storm covers an entire town in ice, but a woman must get out of her house to____?
JOURNALING ✍️
A wise friend of mine recently pointed out that if I think I might be headed toward burnout…then I probably am in burnout already. How about you? Check in with yourself and see how you’re feeling right now.
3. The Hunting Moon has a cover!
Did you see? I revealed the cover for The Hunting Moon on social media! It is truly so gorgeous and looks perfect next to the cover for book 1.
What do you think? I am obviously in love. The skeletal hummingbird is so perfect for the story in The Hunting Moon (though I can’t tell you why…). 😉
A huge thanks to the artist, Sasha Vinogradova, and the designer Lesley Worrell, for another stunning cover!
4. Developing Your In-Person Pitch
@Caitlin: I dread the in person pitch. I never know what to include, what is snazzy but captures the essence? How much world building do I need (probably none but the magic system feels so critical?!!) I’m seeing a ton of friends and peers at yallfest this year and would love for once to show up with a few lines to fire off when asked what I’m writing. I loved your advice on synopsis but I want to boil it down even more for casual conversation and I feel totally lost. Thank you!!!
Thank you for the question, Caitlin…and to be totally honest with you: I’ve never prepared an in-person pitch ahead of time. I always make them up on the fly…and they’re inevitably not very good.
So really, I should be working on this alongside you! Let’s dive in, shall we?
1. Framing with comp titles
One of my author friends always uses the X meets Y framing technique to pitch her books, and every time she does, I think: My, that is so smart because it instantly gives people a vibe.
It also serves to lock in the if you have to name to books or films or shows that they love.
So let’s start by framing our book. Pick two forms of media that feel similar to your book—or that have a similar story twist.
Got it? Great. Now let’s share some info about your character plus the main conflict and stakes of your novel. (Easier said than done, I know!)
The overall formula looks like this:
My book, [Epic Title], is like [framing example 1] meets [framing example 2] with a [main character] who has to [conflict] in order to [what’s at stake].
Let’s try an example, shall we?
The Luminaries is like Riverdale crossed with the Witcher, where a secret society of highly-trained hunters fight monsters that spew out of a forest each night. Winnie Wednesday and her family were outcast from this global Luminaries society, so now Winnie is entering the deadly hunter trials to try to restore her family’s good name.
It’s not great, but it’s a start! And frankly, because I think the Luminaries world is the biggest hook for the series, I would like to add a little more about it.
Basically, if have a bit more time and there is some key hook to your story—like maybe a unique world or unique magic system—then I would also include that in your in-person pitch.
The Luminaries is like Riverdale crossed with the Witcher, where a secret society of highly-trained hunters fight monsters that spew out of a forest each night. There are seven clans, one for each night of the week, and Winnie Wednesday (of the Wednesday clan) is a sixteen year old who was outcast from the Luminaries after her dad was caught as a witch. Now, the only way Winnie—and her family—can get back into the only world she has ever known is if she enters the deadly hunter trials that will pit her against the nightmares of the forest.
2. Framing with genre instead
Now, let’s say can’t think of any solid framing examples. Maybe your story just isn’t like anything out there, or all your potential comp titles are old and no longer relevant.
That is totally okay! Instead of framing your story with examples, you can simply specific your genre instead—though I do suggest you get a bit specific if you choose this route.
So, saying “fantasy” isn’t nearly as helpful as saying, “sweeping romantic fantasy” or “edgy steampunk fantasy.”
Here’s the new formula:
My book, [Epic Title], is a [specific genre] with a [main character] who must [conflict] in order to [what’s at stake].
Since I don’t have easy comp titles for the Witchlands, let’s use this second formula for Truthwitch.
Truthwitch is the first in an epic, high fantasy series about two best friends (who occasionally get on the wrong side of the law) in a world where magic is collapsing, three empires are about to go to war, and everyone seems to think these two best are the “chosen pair” meant to save everything. Cool! Except they want nothing to do with it.
As you can see, my tone is really casual in all of these pitches.
The reason for that is this is in-person. If I were writing this pitch in a query letter or book proposal I would definitely cut back on the chummy-chummy tone. But since I’ll be saying these in person to someone, I will say them in my own chatty voice.
You might want to do the same…or you might not! Whatever makes you comfortable is the key.
One last thing: if there’s time, I don’t think it ever hurts to throw in some trope references too. These days, people are all about the tropes, so if you can toss in a few, it does give listeners something to lock into. Especially if it’s a romantic trope.
Truthwitch is the first in an epic, high fantasy series about two best friends (who occasionally get on the wrong side of the law) in a world where magic is collapsing, three empires are about to go to war, and everyone seems to think these two best are the “chosen pair” meant to save everything. Cool! Except they want nothing to do with.
There’s elemental magic, enemies to lovers, heaps of slow burn romance, friendship and squad goals, adventure and action and sword fighting…And also, twisty plots that play the loooong game before a huge, explosive aha!
There you have it, Caitlin! I practiced reciting each of my pitches above, and none took longer thirty seconds to say, while my shortest only took fifteen.
Thank you for the question and for being a paid subscriber! And if you don’t think this helped or you have more questions, just let me know in the comments!
5. Upcoming Events
I’m back on the road again this weekend! I hope I see you in Texas or Arizona!
MARCH 4, 2023 – NORTH TEXAS TEEN BOOK FESTIVAL
IRVING, TX
MARCH 5, 2023 – TUCSON FESTIVAL OF BOOKS
TUCSON, AZ
MARCH 25, 2023 – TEEN BOOK CON
HOUSTON, TX
APRIL 8, 2023 – ALEXANDRA BRACKEN’S BOOK TOUR2
NAPERVILLE, IL
Thank you for reading, my dear misfits and daydreamers! I hope your week is a wonderful one.
💚 - Sooz
Don't worry: I have no been idle! I’ve gotten lots of Substacks written and have something Super Fun in the works for all you…
It’s Alex’s birthday today! Go wish her a happy birthday!
Happy belated birthday!
Excellent advice here, as always!