Pitch Sessions

• Find a publisher who best matches the work you are pitching. The number one reason a book is rejected is because it is not a good fit for a publisher. To find the right publisher, you must read the publishers’ writers guidelines.

• Pitch session are only 7 minutes long to one acquisition editor.

• Prepare a 150-word "elevator pitch" summary of your book. This is what you'll tell the editor when you first meet them.

• You should bring a printed copy of your materials to the session, formatted according to that publishing house's guidelines that can be found on the publishers web site. If the acquisition editor is interested, they may accept your printed materials, request you send an electronic copy of them, or email/hand you an authors submission form.

• Do NOT contact the publishers directly. Please apply and communicate through the Guild only. Failure to follow this rule will disqualify you from pitching.

• Only paid Guild attendees are allowed to pitch at the conference. Non-members may sign up for a pitch with a $20 registration fee. Please contact us for more details.
• If you are...
  • a writer who has never been published and are pitching fiction (a novel) you must have the manuscript complete. You’ll also need a proposal.
  • a writer who has never been published and you are pitching a non-fiction book, try to have three chapters done. The publisher will want a proposal.
  • a published author and are pitching non-fiction or fiction, you need not have the manuscript finished, but you should have a proposal completed.

Experienced editors give tips and advice on the daunting process of pitching a book. Learn the mechanics of a pitch, how to talk about your book, what editors like to see, and what you need to prepare. If you think you'll ever want to submit a manuscript proposal, the Pitch Prep session will be worth your time.

This session is mandatory for everyone signed up for a pitch session on Thursday morning.