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Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Pitching - IWSG April 2019




 It's IWSG Day. The goal of this blog hop is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds. IWSG is the brainchild of Alex Cavanaugh, our brilliant ninja leader. Co-hosts this month are:  J.H. Moncrieff, Natalie Aguirre, Patsy Collins, and Chemist Ken!



It’s IWSG week and all I have is this.

I’m going to my first writing conference.

I have a twenty-minute meeting with an agent who has the first twenty pages of my book, my query and a synopsis.

I’ve written a 35-word pitch.

If it gets me anywhere, I need a couple of follow-up sentences, so I’ve written those too.

There is nothing else I can think about right now.

Except, I’m sure on the day of the conference it will rain. It’s in Boston and I’m taking public transportation. There’s a walk involved.

I’ll forget my notes

Or forget my pitch.

Or the agent will have nothing good to say.

But there is this. Twenty minutes is twenty minutes. Beyond that, I’m attending four seminars. I’ll be with other writers, authors and presenters. It’s a marvelous opportunity for learning, and it has taken me five years to convince myself to go.

Think of me on Saturday.

Any good vibes you might like to send will be gratefully accepted.

10 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Twenty minutes is a long time! Don't overthink it. Yes, you'll be nervous - the agent will be a little nervous as well, though. Deep breath and smile and it will all fall into place. You can do it!

Natalie Aguirre said...

That's awesome you are getting a critique with an agent. Hopefully the person will be good and can give you some good suggestions. I used to go to conferences and found the most of the critiques really helpful. Enjoy your first conference!

Joanne said...

Positive thoughts. Head up. Smile on the face. You know your stuff. You're proud of your stuff. We're proud of you. The people you meet want success for you. They aren't there to be ugly. They are seeking solid material - and you have it.
Enjoy the day. Enjoy the whole experience.
Smile!

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

So excited for you! You can totally do this!

Keeping my fingers crossed for you.....

Jan Morrison said...

Yay! What I sometimes do to quell nervousness is to remember that I'm promoting my work, not my self. My WIP is like the new kid and I've taken her under my wing - so when I'm talking to someone I'm standing up for her with no worries that someone will think me "big-feeling" as they say here in Nova Scotia! I'll be thinking of you and sending you good vibrations.

Bish Denham said...

Oh! Good for you! May you have a wonderful time and may the God of the Agents smile warmly on your efforts.

Nick Wilford said...

Good luck! Hopefully that'll be a very productive twenty minutes. Whatever happens, you know you'll learn a lot.

Connie said...

Best of luck to you! What an exciting opportunity. I will be thinking of you on Saturday. I hope it is a wonderful experience for you.

Diane Burton said...

What a terrific opportunity. 20 minutes is a long time. One piece of advice (that I learned the hard way): don't talk the whole time; wait for him/her to ask questions; or ask if s/he has questions after you pitch. I was so nervous I practically read my notes. LOL Good luck to you. You sound very prepared. Have fun at the conference, too.

Yvonne Osborne said...

You are brave and you will do well. It makes my stomach hurt to think of a "pitch". The few minutes with an agent while others line up behind you and she/he looks over your shoulder. So, that said...twenty minutes is much better.