http://www.scribophile.com/blog/the-pitch/ Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:20:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 http://www.scribophile.com/blog/the-pitch/#comment-74 Dylan Moody Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:32:38 +0000 http://www.scribophile.com/articles/the-pitch/#comment-74 First off let me say I loved your article. It coincides with what I’ve had in the back of my mind as I try to get that proverbial foot in the door. It seems I’ve re-written my query a hundred times since I started. It’s like fishing. I must be using the right bait because only recently have I had enough bites. As far as the further implications of your article, I’ve met several aspiring authors in bookstores pacing in front of a table with their books propped up behind them while the place was dead. I felt bad for them. They made it that far for what? Is this what I could look forward to? As in any business, I think it’s important to think outside of the box. Not just with the story itself and how you hook a potential agent or publishing house but with how you plan to sell it afterwards. Can you afford the time it takes or will you simply get lucky? I imagine that very few of us will get lucky and get any reviews from Oprah, Steven King or Nora Roberts or the like. I think most of us might have to rely on touring, self advertising and getting radio stations involved during book signings. I’ve designed the cover of my manuscript to be as catchy as I think my story is. But no one going to look at the cover if only the spine is showing buried deep amongst other stories like it by more accomplished writers.   First off let me say I loved your article. It coincides with what I’ve had in the back of my mind as I try to get that proverbial foot in the door. It seems I’ve re-written my query a hundred times since I started. It’s like fishing. I must be using the right bait because only recently have I had enough bites.
As far as the further implications of your article, I’ve met several aspiring authors in bookstores pacing in front of a table with their books propped up behind them while the place was dead. I felt bad for them. They made it that far for what? Is this what I could look forward to? As in any business, I think it’s important to think outside of the box. Not just with the story itself and how you hook a potential agent or publishing house but with how you plan to sell it afterwards. Can you afford the time it takes or will you simply get lucky? I imagine that very few of us will get lucky and get any reviews from Oprah, Steven King or Nora Roberts or the like. I think most of us might have to rely on touring, self advertising and getting radio stations involved during book signings.
I’ve designed the cover of my manuscript to be as catchy as I think my story is. But no one going to look at the cover if only the spine is showing buried deep amongst other stories like it by more accomplished writers.
 

]]> http://www.scribophile.com/blog/the-pitch/#comment-73 c.a. Marks Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:13:29 +0000 http://www.scribophile.com/articles/the-pitch/#comment-73 Yes, you can get published but like you said, unless no one has ever heard of you then your book will sit there until it gets sent to the chop house. Which brings me to this question, do we need to start bringing back the small, local, mom and pop bookstores? Would they survive against the giants? Yes, you can get published but like you said, unless no one has ever heard of you then your book will sit there until it gets sent to the chop house. Which brings me to this question, do we need to start bringing back the small, local, mom and pop bookstores? Would they survive against the giants?

]]> http://www.scribophile.com/blog/the-pitch/#comment-72 Laurie Paulsen Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:10:03 +0000 http://www.scribophile.com/articles/the-pitch/#comment-72 hi, russell-- interesting and useful information! the idea of pitching my novel is intimidating, to say the least. i can attest to the shrinking breadth and depth of inventory in the major booksellers, and sadly that direction isn't likely to shift with the way the publishing industry is going. a bit of good news, though: making contact with bookstore clerks is a <b>great</b> way of cultivating recommendations to customers, and handsold copies of our books...once we perfect that pitch, land that publishing contract, and get our books distributed....*sigh*. it's a long road, isn't it? :) thanks for your article from someone in the know! :D hi, russell–
interesting and useful information! the idea of pitching my novel is intimidating, to say the least.
i can attest to the shrinking breadth and depth of inventory in the major booksellers, and sadly that direction isn’t likely to shift with the way the publishing industry is going. a bit of good news, though: making contact with bookstore clerks is a great way of cultivating recommendations to customers, and handsold copies of our books…once we perfect that pitch, land that publishing contract, and get our books distributed….*sigh*. it’s a long road, isn’t it?
thanks for your article from someone in the know!

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