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Thanks for clarifying this, and MINCEMEAT sounds intriguing. I'll definitely have to read this one!

Thanks for an informative post. It is interesting to read your submit letter to the editor.

Now I want to read that book!

http://spiritofseattle.blogspot.com

An interesting premise. I'll have to keep an eye out for that one. I have to say, I'm not that strong at teasing out the quick pitch paragraph so far.

Hi, Kristin.

What subject line would you suggest an unsolicited agent query letter use?

Thanks for the advice!

Ooh. The intrigue. I'll have to check this one out. I can't say no to serial killers :)

No matter how many query- and pitch-related posts I read, they continue to be helpful. If nothing else, I get a good example and some commentary on why something did or didn't work. Let's hope I can successfully apply that knowledge when my turn comes!

Also, I am really glad you just sold this novel, because I want to read it!

I love the premise of this novel! A serial killer trapped aboard a ship with all that remains of humanity? That was enough to make me buy this book. Throw in the rest of the pitch, and I'm hooked for sure. Looking forward to reading Mincemeat!

Hmm. I'll be curious to see how this sells when the premise is nearly identical to Across the Universe by Beth Revis. I always wonder how publishers decide on a book that is similar to a book that's already polular in the marketplace.

I know that no two stories are the same, but this is something I think writers legitimately worry about when thinking of whether they want to spend a lot of time writing a book that's been done. I'd love to hear your advice on that topic someday.

Thanks for posting. :)

It's nice to see my story in your post =)

Thanks again for all your past and future work, Kristin!

@Daniel, you had me worried for a minute, but I checked the wikipedia entry for Across the Universe and it's more different than it may seem from the pitch =) Thanks too, by the way--it helps me answer one of the items I've been struggling with on the author questionnaire.

@David, that's good to hear. I enjoyed Across the Universe and I'm sure I'll like your story. Actually, when Kristin backs a YA book, I know it's going to be amazing so I will eagerly look forward to the day yours is picked up and published.

If there is a good way to follow your progress, let me know. You must be very excited to be in such good hands.

Thank-you! I was confused by the two and there is a great deal of conflicting information out there, leaving me to make an educated guess. Nice to have my guess confirmed. Thanks again!

@Daniel, it's all exciting!

So, among the differences I can talk about is that Mincemeat is not YA and though I haven't read Across the Universe, I suspect my story is considerably darker based on some of the reviews I've read of ATU.

Hopefully, that doesn't change your interest =)

Just sold ... so when can we expect to find it in the stores? (I am interested.)

@David, I just found you on The Writing Caterpillar so now I can follow your progress. Very excited for you.

I am happy any time I see so much much SF requested, even if I didn't participate. It just seems so few of the blogging agents are really into it!

Not a bad ratio, really. Did you hear some fantasy pitches but you simply didn't request them, or were there no fantasy pitches?

So much for 90 minutes indeed! Still, 12 is a good number, I like that number. I second Carmen's question about the fantasy pitches :)

We know YA paranormal romance is really saturated. Does the same apply to YA supernaturals or urban fantasies that contain the teen-required romantic subplot? Speaking of the romantic subplot, does it HAVE to be a triangle? I'm weary of teen love triangles in books, but I also want my novel to sell.

Interesting that there are no pure fantasy works on the list, only paranormal.

I think it's just me but I tend to rebel against trends, anyway. :)

How about a woman's memoir... for your woman's fiction?? I wish, still working on it. Thank you for your blog... it keeps me going when I get frustrated.

I'm curious about the "no fantasy" too. Or YA non-romantic fantasy. Was there just nothing like that pitched that clicked with you, or is this not selling?

When you come to Melbourne in August, you'll be fine. RWAus has a no-perfume policy at conferences, probably for this reason.

You're right, it is something that people don't think about. It also applies to men. I learned this one when I was studying for my board exams, part of which was an oral presentation. The first thing we were told in our sessions was that cologne of any type (male and female) was a definite no-no.

Not to mention it could be a fragrace that reminds the editor/agent of someone they have an aversion to or a dear friend who died. I would not like to be linked to either person.

Every now and then, when I get a whiff of someone's strong perfume, I'll turn to my husband and apologize for all of the perfume I wore while we were dating. Poor guy!

Please spread the word through the agent and editor network too. It's possible the writer has a great story to pitch but when she sits down across the table has the same reaction. It has happened to me, where I really wanted to connect with that agent/editor but was so spaced out and affected that I couldn't keep a straight thought...

Goodness, I hope they don't ban deodorants, too...

I'm very allergic to it, myself, so you have my sympathies.

I can't see why it's socially acceptable to hijack other people's sense of smell, when you'd never walk into a restaurant or theatre and start blasting music, because you, personally, thought it was pleasant.

Probably a leftover from when there wasn't deodorant.

As an asthmatic, I've run into this problem many times (the worst was the day at the Hoity Toity Health Club). Know what else can be problematic? Highly perfumed laundry detergent. I don't know what kind it is, but there's one brand I can smell from fifty feet. Not good when one whiff is enough to close up some lung passages.

First of all, I love me some Rob Thomas as well.

And second, this is actually a good point. Deodorant will suffice.

Its the simple things that we forget and yet have a detrimental effect.

You might have been allergic to the "love my manuscript" powder she'd dusted liberally across the pages. As with all magic substances, just a little dab will do ya, enough to intrigue but not enough to water the eyes.

I feel bad though if that happens when a cat-owner is pitching to someone violently allergic to cats (or dogs, or chinchillas, or lizards...). Microscopic bits of dander cling to everything

I'm allergic to a lot of alcohol-based perfumes, so I truly hope there's a "no perfume" policy at just about any convention.

Since no one has asked, how did the pitch go?

So, what you're saying is, agents are human?! When did that happen?!

JK ;)

I'm so allergic to perfume and can relate. I'd rather an agent remember me for my writing ability than my ability to give them rhinitis. :)

Oh no! Never would have thought of that!!! Making a mental note now!!

What's really bad is when the perfume is waging war with the nicotine oozing from every pore. Can I say... Gag?

Wow. That's interesting. I know my aunt developed a random allergy to floral scented body splash after her last pregnancy so no one can come around her with it on. Probably best that some conferences don't allow it.

This is something that I've never considered, but it makes perfect sense. No cologne at the pitch sessions.

It least you can say that they made in impression on you! You won't forget them now.

I don't like perfume in real life, much less a pitch session.

Oh, good. I get to learn two things today. The first of course, no perfume. The second, can someone tell me how a pitch session works and how you set those up and what you do and basically everything?
Thanks in advance :)

I second the detergent comment. So MANY things have strong scents - also including shampoo, lotions, soaps, etc. - that even non-perfume-wearers (hmm, that doesn't flow) need to be careful. You might still smell, and not like deodorant.

If I ever have to pitch to someone allergic to dogs and/or cats, I'm doomed.

It's the same with business interviews, and it'd be helpful to think of pitch sessions in the same way. They are, basically, attempts by writers to "score" an agent, just like one goes on an interview to "score" a job. Be cautious of strong scents, inappropriate dress, and so on and you'll probably have better luck.

Wow, thanks for that! :-) I just started following your blog and I can't wait to look through all your pearls here!

Great tip! I know this well. I work in an enclosed area where if someone wears a certain perfume or body spray, I must quickly begin the hunt for the nearest box of tissues.

For some reason, the scent will hit the back of my throat first, sending me into a coughing spasm before the sneezing commences.

I love a no-perfume policy at conventions! Perfume is one of the biggest rip-offs in our society. 99 percent of the costs are advertising and packaging all to convince you that you will not be loved if you don't buy their scent.

There is a chemical in almost all perfumes that will bother sensitive systems. Which really makes it awful when people think they have to put on so much you can smell them as they walk by. It should only be noticed by someone kissing you.

Kristen,
I am unable to access your website with the password you gave me at the MO Writer's Conference. The URL on the back of your card reads
www.nelsonagency.com/cgi-bin/
login.php but it is a corrupted porn site. Please help. You requested the first thirty pages of The Hot Mess Chronicles. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Linda O'Connell
[email protected]

Linda,
I just tried the link and it's working fine. Just went to our submission database (although eek on the corrupted porn site!)

You might try typing in the url again (as there might have been a typo) or you might have something going on via your computer.

I will, however, have Anita contact you tomorrow.
Kristin

Thank you so very much. My husband and adult children have tried using different search engines and all had the same results. Frustrating. I appreciate your response.

I'm suddenly glad I very rarely wear perfume and when I do, it's generally fruit scented. (Seriously. The only perfume I own smells like apples.) I do have 2 body sprays that I like, though. One smells like cookies, one smells like (again) applies.

Do food-scented fragrances count as an exception? ;)

Out of curiousity, why did you never shop Ally's adult novel?

Gotta love the backstories! Thanks for today's fun read.

What a fun post, I love hearing about how authors started out. Thanks for sharing!

It is really neat to hear about things like this.

Oh, this is cool stuff! Thanks for sharing! :)

Ah...Janice Hardy is awesome!!!

I feel like I just got a glimpse into "God's people-making factory" or something.

Except it's Kristin Nelson's author-making factory.

Still pretty good :)

Fun and unique histories--just like the authors! I notice there aren't any stories of someone who re-queried a massively over-hauled manuscript years after a pass. Now I'm wondering if I dare attempt to give you a new data point!

Wow. That's very interesting. Thank you for sharing! Four of the authors on that list are some of my very favorite. The others I just haven't read yet. I'll have to fix that.

I'm curious to see tomorrows post.

Thanks for sharing this--I couldn't imagine Perfect Chemistry not being in the world! :)

Huh. I already knew most of that. Now it's official - I've been reading your blog forever:)

I love Janice Hardy! There's something about knowing how she started that makes me feel lighthearted. Thanks for the post!

All great stories, and Janice Hardy wins!

This gives me hope!

I love collecting these kinds of stories, and it's even better when I'm familiar with the authors involved! Can't wait to see more tomorrow (today by this point, I think--so even better).

Congrats to Sara for making that short list!

That's awesome how you found Janice. Glad you did because I love her books.

Interesting to read how things evolve. I can't imagine Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet anything else. And in this case, though I'm not always like this with all books, it was the cover and the title that caught my attention and made me want to read it.

This is so encouraging!! Thanks for sharing.

"the one scene where Japanese women start burning their wedding Kimonos after the bombing of Pearl Harbor"

I've been seeing this book around, but this is the line that I think has convinced me to pick it up.

Your last paragraph is indeed, by far, the hardest to accomplish. Yet the most essential. Thank you for the post.

As someone who's been struggling with her pitch -- and who flubbed it a couple times -- I really appreciate this post! My next conference is the SCBWI Winter Conference in NYC, and I'm determined to be prepared -- especially since I'll have a query-able novel by that time!

Well, I have to say that I agree wholeheartedly with the above (at least re: fiction - I've never written nonfiction, so caan't comment on that).

Yes, know your marke, know where the publishers can fit you in their product line up.

Publishing is a business after all... Beautiful writing a literary merits are fine and dandy, but the book has to sell. Publishers don't pay staff, cover overhead and make a profit off warm fuzzy praise and group hugs.

I pitched my book (in query letters) but saying it was a beach book and would appeal to women 20-40 who liked Janet Evanovich's writing.

I got a contract within 4 months of looking (and about 6 months later another contract offer came in too).

My book came out about a month ago, and in a review in The Globe & Mail (Toronto) the columnists actually said "Blood and Groom has the fast and funny style that will appeal to fans of Janet Evanovich."

So: know your market, know your writing and the rest will fall into place sooner or later!

Cheers, Jill
www.jilledmondson.com

What? No props? Okay, next time I'll leave them at home :)

Okay, I guess my eyes are tired. I read Jim's last sentence as "don't bring poops." I promise NEVER to do that.

What's funny about the props thing is that someone must have actually done that to prompt Jim's comment. I'm keeping my eyes open at my next conference for props.

This is very helpful. I presume that begging and hysterical crying are also no-nos. Just guessing.

Hi!

Excuse me while I put away the finger puppets. Ahem.

Thank you for this post. Very helpful, especially Lauren's advice.

What about if pitch is done in iambic pentameter sonnet form?

Don't worry. I know the answer.

The comments here are as funny as the advice is useful.

I can't see myself over-rehearsing, but the other three (going on too long, being utterly terrified) make me think it's a good thing I've never attended a pitch session.

As for over-rehearsing....

When I did a pitch festival for screenplays a few years ago. I over-rehearsed, and then I kept on rehearsing. I did it in funny voices (I highly recommend pitching a heist plot as Queen Elizabeth II as a way of getting a whole new take on how it sounds. Although only pitch it this way to your cat, not to an agent or editor. They may not understand.) I kept going until it was so natural, that I could change it at will.

And by the time I got to the pitch festival, I was actually able to just _talk_ about the story, and I was able to adjust my pitch quickly as I saw which bits were boring the audience and which were engaging them. If you are going to rehearse, do it until you can freely speed it up, skip or expand on things without a script.