Have you honed your pitch?
If your response to that question is a wide-eyed stare, you’re not alone. The idea of pitching your work—sharing a tightly crafted sentence that conveys the hook of your story to an agent or an editor—can feel intimidating.
But writers who wield the sword of preparation slay intimidation.
And the best preparation for pitching your book—whether it’s at the idea stage or is a completed manuscript—is practicing your pitch until it rolls off your tongue as easily as your name.
But first, you must craft that pitch. And then hone it. And hone it again.
Your goal is to convey the hook of your novel or memoir or the concept of your nonfiction book in 30 or fewer words—words that intrigue, words that entice, words that elicit the responses “Tell me more” or “Send me your proposal” from an agent or editor.
Here are a few examples of compelling pitches from both fiction and nonfiction works.
Fiction
“Can two people brought together by desperate circumstances help one another heal, and maybe even begin a new life?” —Bring Down the Rain by Charles Martin
“The ghosts of his past hold him captive. Her missteps bring her to his door.”
—The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers
“In a world turned upside down, will love or duty prevail?”—Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin
Where did I find these pitches? On the back covers of the books. Remember, your pitch may also be used as marketing copy. Reading cover copy is an excellent way to learn how to hone your pitch.
Nonfiction
“50 devotions to find redemption in every part of your story.” —Beautiful by Lysa TerKeurst
“Finding your way back to God when everything is pulling you away.” —How Did I Get Here? by Christine Cain
Where did I find these pitches? They’re the taglines that follow the title on the front cover of the book.
Again, cover copy is an excellent teacher for honing your pitch.
Once you’ve delivered your pitch, especially if you’ve done a good job capturing your hook in the pitch, you need to be prepared for the “Tell me more” request. That’s when you offer your brief synopsis, also tightly written. Again, think back cover copy.
If you’re still at the idea stage of a novel, memoir, or nonfiction book, honing your pitch can also help you hone your project—it can help you focus your idea. As you consider new book ideas, you’ll want to develop the practice of writing a pitch.
Craft your abbreviated hook in as few intriguing words as possible, memorize those words, then pitch it!
