Well, I've gotten myself into it.
The upcoming SCBWI conference in Miami is offering a series pitch session with author Michael Grant, whom I suppose I should research. The deal is you get 5 minutes and one page to pitch a book series. Seems good to me. I envision Schmitty the Pirate as a six book series. What could be a better opportunity? Except for one thing. How the hell I am supposed to do it?
Advice? Help?
Sweet Holy Moses!
P.S. Is anyone a member of SCBWI and going to the conference?
10 comments:
I'm scared of the series pitch. I hear it is frowned upon so I've never researched it. Sorry I'm not more help.
I hear it's frowned upon too, but they're offering it, so I might as well give it a try.
Glad to see your back Tina Lynn. Are you back? I hope all is well.
Um...I'm guessing that stands for Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators? Not sure.
Sounds like a good conference. I don't know how to pitch a book series in 5 minutes. Maybe pretend you're the main character speaking to the audience?
Yes, Kathy. Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators. They have regional conferences all over the country and usually get a pretty good group of authors, agents, editors, etc...
At the last one I had just started querying. I sat down and started talking to some people when one of the agents who'd just rejected me sat down right next to me. I was prepared for awkward but the guy never even acknowledged I was there. I guess it wouldn't have been a good fit.
Having never tried to pitch for a series I can't help with the details, but a very nice author who does write adult series did let me take a peak at a pitch he'd done to help me with the one I just submitted. Slightly different scenario because he was a published writer already, but basically he treated it much the same as a pitch for a stand alone book. he covered the main plot, the main characters and what was going to make the book cool.
The best piece of adivce he gave me was "don't hold back; they are looking at this as editors, not as readers, so tell them everything that an investor needs to know."
Hard in five minutes, I know, and very fluffy, but the guy makes his living writing series, so he knows what he is talking about!
Good luck with it hun xxx
I've never done a pitch or a convention. (I'm still a bit of a closet writer.) So, right now, agents are still a little like rock stars in my book. I'd get a little giddy if one sat near me--regardless if they'd already rejected me.
I keep hearing back and forth on the "series" thing. I've heard you're not supposed to mention the possibility of a series but, at the same time, nearly every book I see out right now is part of a series.
I'd say you should write a quick pitch for your series. Practice it on friends, family, strangers - anyone that will listen. Think of the first 3 sentences of a query letter, and the major grabbers in your overall story. I am working with agents for an MWA conference and they'll be hearing tons of pitches.
I won't be much help with pitching, but I can tell you that I love Michael Grant. I'm just finishing his second book in the Gone series. Love it! :-)
Wow, you are BRAVE. Pitching in person would be intimidating. If it were me I think I'd write my whole pitch out and then recite it a million times until if felt comfortable. Good luck!
Everybody - thanks for your help.
LM - what is MVA?
Shannon - I checked Michael Grant's website. Now I know what to use those birthday gift cards on.
Natalie - Bravery has less to do with it than opportunity. And you already have an agent, so...ppffftt!! ;p
Thanks.
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