Schedule your pitch session with a literary agent soon

Are you seeking a career as an author? If so, take every opportunity to meet successful published authors. Pitch to a literary agent or two. Learn from those who succeeded and are there–where you aim to go!

How? Attending writing conferences is a great way! Take classes taught by best-selling authors. You can even schedule a pitch session with a literary agent or two.

Chicago Writing Conference: Now Online!

Coming up on Saturday, June 27, is the Chicago Writing Conference.  If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know that I go down every year. Usually with a group of aspiring authors. This year attending is way easier because it’s online! No traffic. No toll roads. You can even attend in your slippers if you like. While we don’t get to enjoy lunch by the Lakefront together, there are benefits. For example, ALL of the classes will be available to watch after the event. Which is a great deal!

That’s because the education offered is excellent! I have two and a half notebooks full of notes from past years’ conference sessions. This year I won’t have to choose between different sessions — I’ll get to see them all. Even me, with all my years of experience in publishing–I still learn things I never knew!

Book a pitch session with a literary agent

Here is a link to the literary agents in attendance. Tip: read their descriptions carefully. Only pitch to a literary agent who is actively looking for your kind of book manuscript. You will have ten minutes with agent. Describe your book in a single sentence. Add a bit about your market and how your book will access it. If it’s a nonfiction title, indicate if you’ve got your book proposal ready. And end with a tiny bit about yourself. Practice your pitch out loud. It should fit into 3 to 5 minutes, leaving 5 to 8 minutes for conversation. Your goal: “yes, here’s my email address! I want to hear more.” Then pay careful attention to how they want it sent.

While it sounds like a fishing expedition, looking for a “bite” on the line, it’s more like farming. You’re planting a seed of a relationship. Be polite, courteous, and professional. Be focused on what they need and want. And when you’re done with your pitch, listen. Be present. Literary agents are the real estate agents of the publishing world. They’re looking for marketable literary property. So before you send your proposal or excerpt of the manuscript to them with your query letter, make sure it’s ready. Make sure it’s the best it can be.

If you need help determining if your manuscript is there yet, let me know. One of the services I provide is an industry-standard manuscript Analysis & Recommendation, which includes a one-line industry pitch.

So, if you are ready to learn from the pros and look for a literary agent, check out the Chicago Writers Conference. https://chicagowritingworkshop.com or one of their other conferences. Many other organizations also offer writers conferences.

Agents may still be added last minute, so check back periodically. But don’t wait! Pitch sessions are filling up fast.

,,,