MAX ON BIZ
Insights on the Writing Business
When I made my first pitch to an editor, someone advised me to condense my story to ten lines, write them on a 5x7 card, and carry that card into my appointment. That’s still a good way to do it. Nerves get to the best us and that 5x7 can be a life line.
However, over the years, I learned editors and agents wanted to hear what I had to offer. They want to buy manuscripts and publish books. They’re searching for the next big talent.
But it isn’t the pitch that sells them. It is the work itself. The goal of that pitch is not to sell, but to have your manuscript bypass the slush pile and receive that extra bit of attention. If you have what they represent or publish, you will be invited to submit especially since you took the time to meet with them in person.
And that means the most important part of making a pitch is knowing who you are pitching to. Do some research. Learn what the agent or editor wants and then tailor your pitch to what they need. Don’t waste their time with what they don’t want. Let’s not forget, every writer has to be willing to put on her salesman’s hat from time to time. Plus, knowing you have what they want makes the pitch easier.
For example, I threw away the 5x7 when I pitched to the editor who bought my first book. I knew she was looking for 100,000 word historicals. I sent my proposal to her the week before we were to meet with a cover letter stating I would be seeing her at the CRW conference. When the time came to pitch, I said, “I’m Cathy Maxwell. I’ve written a 100,000 word historical set in the Regency. The proposal should be on your desk right now.”
The editor answered that she would look for the proposal. I thanked her for the time and the pitch was over. Two weeks later, she called asking for the book. By the way, I made my pitch in a group interview. The editor remembered me because I knew what she wanted and I had it.
Could she have sent me a rejection? Of course. Rejection is part of publishing. But I increased my chances of success by preparing before the interview with a little knowledge.
Do the 5x7. You never know when an editor or agent will ask about your manuscript and it is good to be prepared. However, knowing what the editor or agent wants will make you look professional and get your book in the door for a reading.
Cathy Maxwell is the multi-published, New York Times bestseller of eighteen historical romances.
Thomas Friedman, NYT columnist and author of THE WORLD IS FLAT, coined the phrase globalization, and he’s a big fan of it. He sees all sorts of opportunity in it. Of course, he also cautions that in this global world, workers must prepare themselves (think education, education, education) for global competition. We are all competing at the same level. Everyone that is except for those who have such unique skills they are what he calls “untouchable.” He places in that category folks like Madonna and the head of cancer research at Cedars-Mt. Sinai . . .and you.
Yeah, you.
I know there are writers reading this who have begun to lose faith they will sell. Or keep selling. In the face of this current economic crisis, in the face of life’s daily stresses and demands, they wonder if they are wasting the time spent scribbling away and believing the story they have to tell matters. They’ve had rejections. They know the sobering realities of publishing. What started off as an urge, a desire, then a challenge and a hope . . . that passion, that belief is now plagued with doubts.
I want you to be brave. I do not want you to give up. Not now. I want you to grab hold of your belief in yourself and your story and never let go.
You are Untouchable. No one hears, sees, or feels the words and stories inside of you the way you do. This is your gift. The way God’s fashioned you. So few people in this world can write a story. You are unique.
And you can’t allow anything—economic downturns, demands on your time, doubts, fears, and the numerous rejections all writers share—rob you of what is yours.
Now, go write.
Cathy Maxwell is the New York Times bestseller of eighteen historical romances. You can read more on Maxwell at www.cathymaxwell.com
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