Chapter 2 | On Pitching
Every agent and publisher will be looking for something different – YOU MUST DO YOUR RESEARCH!
Yes, I caps-locked you because I’m serious! I cannot tell you how many submissions I have received and deleted immediately because they don’t fit the selection criteria.
The number one way to ensure you don’t get published is to ignore submission criteria.
And remember, no matter how good your cover letter and synopsis are, it is your manuscript that is going to get you in the door. Don’t spend so much time perfecting your pitch that you end up sending manuscript pages that are not yet ready to be seen.
Think about the times when you’ve seen a really great movie trailer that has been spoiled by a terrible film – all the good bits made it into the trailer.
Don’t let your pitch outshine your manuscript.
There is no set formula for how to pitch your book because there is no single set of pitching and submission guidelines.
Just because you write a cover letter that is brilliant, doesn’t mean it will fit the requirements of every agent or publisher.
I’m not kidding when I say you need to tailor every pitch. I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to respect what the agent and publisher is requesting; you’re asking them to take you and your story seriously, you must respect them in return.
Okay? Okay.
Preparing a nonfiction book proposal is a more intensive process than pitching a fiction book but that’s doesn’t mean that a fiction writer doesn’t do research too (in fact – you must).
For both fiction and nonfiction titles, the agent or publisher wants to know why they and your potential readers must care about your book.
Why is this subject matter relevant? All writers must have a clear understanding of your market. Regardless of whether you are writing fantasy, romance, crime, auto/biography or smart thinking topics, a publisher or agent is going to want to know why this topic that gets you so excited is going to excite your future readers too.
It is important to know where and how your book fits within the broader cultural context. Who will buy your book? What about it will make it sell? You’ll need to lay out, in as much detail as possible who will seek out a copy of your book.
Understand what makes your book unique; for example, the market is saturated with stories of overcoming hardship and so if there are elements of this in your book, you’ll need to show the agent or publisher how you’re approaching the subject matter from a fresh perspective.
No book is ever written for everybody, nor should it be so it is important for you to acknowledge this, and think carefully about where your book might sit in a bookstore, and what the competing and parallel books are.
Some further things for you to think about:
Is there a need for the book? While you might assume that the focus of your book proposal is based on what the book is about, the real focus should be on whether there’s a need for the book.
What void does this book fill—how is it different than anything else readers can consume today and how does your voice fit into a broader cultural context?
Your pitch argues why your book is saleable and marketable in today’s market. It essentially acts as a business case for why your book must exist and the publisher or agent must invest!
And finally, tell your story, have fun, be creative, and don’t be afraid to show them who you are.
For Fiction
The three most common things you will be asked for are:
a cover letter that must be personally addressed to the publisher or agent of your choice
a 1-2 page synopsis of your story
a portion of your completed manuscript (and if they’re keen, they will ask for the rest later)
Whatever the agent or publisher requests, give them exactly that. If they ask for the first 5 chapters, don’t give them 6. If they ask for 10,000 words, don’t give them 12,000.
Even if an agent or publisher hasn’t requested the full manuscript upfront, I recommend letting them know in your cover letter that you are in possession of a completed manuscript.
Here are some of the details that you want to get 100% right in your pitch:
the right agent or publisher for your work. Don’t pitch your erotic romance to a publisher or agent if they’re requesting military history, children’s or gardening books. It is a waste of your time - and theirs!
age category, word count and genre. One of the biggest publishing red flags is when the readership, genre and word count don’t align. Agents and publishers can be hyper-specific in what they want; make sure that you reference those specifics in your cover letter and synopsis. If the agent is asking for Middle Grade non-fiction, say in your cover letter that your manuscript is Middle Grade non-fiction at X number of words (between 30,000–50,000). If the publisher is requesting Young Adult, don’t send them your New Adult story. New Adult is aligned with adult fiction, not Young Adult.
a cover page, synopsis and manuscript are usually requested in a clean 12pt font at 1.5 spacing.
For nonfiction
The three most common things you will be asked for are:
a cover letter that must be personally addressed to the publisher or agent of your choice
a proposal that is likely to include comparison title research, target audience, a marketing plan, your bio, and overview.
a chapter outline
sample chapters
For many nonfiction books, the literary standard of your writing matters less than the marketability of the premise, topic or you – the author. Many nonfiction books are not expected to be literary masterpieces but they do expect you to be able to clearly communicate ideas and methods in a way that will help and inspire your future readers. Your writing needs to convey authority and instil confidence in the reader.
If your book’s purpose is to improve the lives of your future readers, or to teach them something new, then you’re selling your book based on your expertise, your platform, or your concept.