In my last two posts I've described how I got a book deal off the back of a blog and explained why I decided to take on an agent. In this one I'm going to throw out my ideas about making the first pitch to either a publisher or an agent. This is not in any sense to suggest that I have the answers (I definitely haven't) but if it helps give anyone inspiration or structure when approaching this task then all to the good.
For my part, as well as the initial chunk of content (around 20,000 words), I also put together quite a sizeable summary of the book I was pitching. In order to do this, you need to have a very clear idea of what you're writing and who is your intended audience. Once you've figured that out, I'd start with a half to one page summary of the project as a whole. This is your main pitch and needs to grab the reader from the start. Summarise what the book’s about, who it’s for and what makes it different. Above all, remember that you’re selling, not baring your soul. Next, I’d have a few sections giving more detail. Perhaps start with the plot and a clear description of the so-called ‘narrative arc’. I remember my own agent Euan Thorneycroft emphasising this and my anticipating his look of satisfaction when I mentioned it at the sale meeting with Bloomsbury (along the lines of “well, of course, the narrative arc is…”).
After this, give a quick summary of some of the main characters and again consider the arc which each one takes as they progress through the book. You might then want to write a section on the intended market and here you might give examples of books which might be similar in genre to your own. I’d also suggest having a section giving your own history and experience with particular reference to how this influences your writing. Finally, I’d pick out some choice extracts from your writing to help introduce the reader to your work. After that, get a good friend to give it the once over before taking a deep breath and sending it off!
In my next post I’ll discuss the process of taking the book from an inkling of an idea to that precious first draft.
Tim
Tim Kevan is the author of ‘Law and Disorder’ and ‘Law and Peace’ which are published by Bloomsbury and available on amazon.
Tim,
I do believe I have at last found a good souce of support from your post and look forward to the next.
I have not had courage to submit any of my work, although recently I have taken to writing childrens material.
I am being pushed into submitting this....and having read your post, I just might now give it a go.
Thanks Tim :-)
Oh Freya,
I believe Cressida wrote a two-part blog dealing with that area. It's been a long while but let me see if I can look back and get the blog titles for you... Okay, found them. They are:
Top five tips for submitting your manuscript and
More thoughts on submission
How long is a piece of string might also have some things you're looking for. (Cressida, can you help make those a link?)
Hope you find them of some help.
Xean
Okay, let me get this in order...
1- the book itself
2- idea of intended audience
3- sizeable summary
4- half to one page pitch grabbing reader from the start and containing plot, clear description and narrative arc
5- quick summary of characters with progress arc
6- beneath, a section on intended market including examples of other similar genre books
7- section of self history and experience with field or subject
8- choice extracts directly from book
9- have friend review the finished compilation- hmm, is it better for the friend to be one with publishing experience?
This is really great. It's the first time I've seen definate clues as to how to actually do a direct first pitch. Thank you very much for that, Tim. I've already taken ideas to first draft and beyond, but I'm looking forward to hear what you have to say nonetheless.