I will attend a writer’s conference: I will pitch my novel on one-on-one meetings with literary agents?
The meetings will last 10 minutes.
I’ve never been in such kind of meetings.
Is it okay if I pitch my novel using a power point presentation?
Or, should I just talk about my novel using notes?
Could someone please advice me ?
Thanks a lot!
I’ve been in the same situation many times, through the Maui Writers Conference, which is an excellent group with some of the best agents in the country attending
That being said, just be yourself. Talk to them like they’re people, and start with a hook. Only talk for a minute – yes, a minute! – about what your book is about. Get it down to a log line, no more than twenty-five words, and start there. Don’t go so into depth that you bore them to tears – and if you go past a minute, you will.
Interact with them. Greet them with a handshake, introduce yourself, and don’t feel rushed. Ten minutes isn’t a very long time, but if they like your idea, it will be plenty long enough.
Also, if you need to, bring notecards, but don’t use a powerpoint presentation. There will likely not be any facility for you to use it, first off, and second, it doesn’t really give the agent a chance to connect with you or your work on a personal level.
But remember! Just keep the summary down to a short log line and only a minute of speaking. Don’t rush. Take your time, and be passionate about your work. The remaining nine minutes will give the agent a chance to talk to you about your work and ask questions. Nothing’s worse than just finishing up with your summary as the ten minute bell rings. It is optimal to finish up early rather than late, because with the format of these meetings, the agent will not have the opportunity to let you stick around, as someone else will be scheduled for the ten minutes after yours.
Best of luck!
I’ve been in the same situation many times, through the Maui Writers Conference, which is an excellent group with some of the best agents in the country attending
That being said, just be yourself. Talk to them like they’re people, and start with a hook. Only talk for a minute – yes, a minute! – about what your book is about. Get it down to a log line, no more than twenty-five words, and start there. Don’t go so into depth that you bore them to tears – and if you go past a minute, you will.
Interact with them. Greet them with a handshake, introduce yourself, and don’t feel rushed. Ten minutes isn’t a very long time, but if they like your idea, it will be plenty long enough.
Also, if you need to, bring notecards, but don’t use a powerpoint presentation. There will likely not be any facility for you to use it, first off, and second, it doesn’t really give the agent a chance to connect with you or your work on a personal level.
But remember! Just keep the summary down to a short log line and only a minute of speaking. Don’t rush. Take your time, and be passionate about your work. The remaining nine minutes will give the agent a chance to talk to you about your work and ask questions. Nothing’s worse than just finishing up with your summary as the ten minute bell rings. It is optimal to finish up early rather than late, because with the format of these meetings, the agent will not have the opportunity to let you stick around, as someone else will be scheduled for the ten minutes after yours.
Best of luck!
References :
http://www.mauiwriters.com
I’ve never used a power point presentation.
The best thing to do is to come up with a "blurb" for your work. Describe your story in one, punchy sentence. Think about the taglines for a movie. Go for something like that. Than give a basic plot rundown to include the resolution, be sure to leave plenty of time for them to respond. I’d never recommend planning on pitching for more than two minutes.
I write ‘em out, rehearse ‘em, and then totally do somthing different after the initial pitch, you have to play by ear, be flexible. You don’t want to lose interest.
The agents will actually be pretty polite and helpful in the process. They’ll ask some questions, give you feedback, etc. Ten minutes will pass before you know it.
Get a great pitch line. Make sure your work is finished and ready, don’t bring it with you, but make sure it’s ready to mail out. If they express an interest in your work, try to get a card from them with a note on it or something. They’ll offer it, but it’s important to keep track of who it is, what they liked, etc. Be confident. And make sure you know your story well. The most emberassing thing in the world is when they ask about some plot point and you’re so nervous that you can’t remember the answer! LOL I’ve been there.
The good news is that what you are about to do is the fastest way to get solid feedback. And personally, the only agents I’ve ever gotten to work with I’ve met this way, so far. Being face to face you can make a blunder or two, unlike a query letter where you only get the one chance.
Good luck! What conference are you going to? Is it the Texas Writer’s League conference in June?
edit===> The other two answers so far are solid as well. I especially like the "Act the part" advice in Persi’s. Very true. To quote Evanovich, "When people ask what you do, tell them you’re a writer. Put yourself on the line. Make a commitment." From her Rules for Successful Writing.
References :
You would do better to talk – and without notes. Show them how enthusiastic you are about your book. Get them enthusiastic. Power point won’t do that. And reading off notes won’t either. Go there well dressed – for business – with copies of your query letter and synopsis ready to leave with them – a business card too if you have one – and speak off the cuff. Weave a story for them. Be self confident. Use eye contact. Practice before hand and make sure you can give about a five – seven minute synopsis of your story. That will allow you time for introductions at the beginning and questions at the end. Good luck. They have an old saying in Alcoholics Anonymous (I am a proud member for almost 12 years now) Fake it till you make it. If you go in there well dressed and confident, that is half the battle. You LOOK like you belong there. If you go in slouching and in jeans and a sweatshirt – you don’t. Act well thy part. These are all little things that people notice. If you look and act like an author, you will be taken seriously. Good luck. Pax-C
References :
I would look up information online about the "elevator pitch." Getting your point across in the span of about 5 minutes.
What is your story about?
How does it fit with the agency?
Why should they take you on as a client?
Do you have more than just the one book (one-hit wonder)?
References :