At the Midwest Writers Workshop, an agent panel gave some wonderful, straightforward advice about how to construct your pitch. You could use this formula as part of a query letter or in a live pitch. Brilliant!
Option 1
I have a completed [word count][genre] titled [title] about [protagonist name + small description] who [conflict].
Option 2
(1) What does your character want?
(2) Why does he want it?
(3) What keeps him from getting it?
Option 3
(1) Character name/description
(2) The conflict they’re going through
(3) The choices they have to make
4 best resources on query letter writing + identifying agents to query
- QueryShark (opportunity to get your query critiqued + read others critiqued)
- AgentQuery
- PublishersMarketplace (for in-depth info on agents + publishing deals, costs $20/year)
- Agency websites (as you begin to select and customize your queries and submissions for each agent appropriate for your work)
Other tips
- Think of your query letter to the agent/editor as the first step in the SEDUCTION process.
- Never say: “Let me start by telling you the backstory.” Your story doesn’t start in the right place if that’s necessary.
- If you must mention 4+ characters in your pitch for it to make sense, you probably have some problems with the story.
- The voice in the pitch should match the mood of the story.
- Only start querying when you’d be comfortable with your manuscript appearing as-is (and being sold) between covers on major chain bookstore shelf.
- It’s better to pitch a standalone novel “with series potential” (rather than pitching it as a series).
- Looking for more? Check out Ortiz’s synopsis advice.
Jane Friedman (@JaneFriedman) has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in digital media strategy for authors and publishers. She is the publisher of The Hot Sheet, the essential newsletter on the publishing industry for authors, and was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World in 2019.
In addition to being a columnist for Publishers Weekly, Jane is a professor with The Great Courses, which released her 24-lecture series, How to Publish Your Book. Her book for creative writers, The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press), received a starred review from Library Journal.
Jane speaks regularly at conferences and industry events such as BookExpo America, Digital Book World, and the AWP Conference, and has served on panels with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund. Find out more.