[Still under construction. Please check back later for a prettier layout and more good stuff!]
If you’re a writer--or would like to be--here’s some stuff that might be of interest.
Check out The Writer magazine (Sept 2009) for my article, “The Motion of a Notion: How I sold my nonfiction book idea with a successful proposal”
Pitching without Being Pushy workshop, PNWA Conference, July 30th:
Writing a nonfiction pitch (download the PDF)
WRITING A PITCH FOR NONFICTION
by Janna Cawrse Esarey, author of The Motion of the Ocean
A nonfiction pitch answers these questions:
1.Title and genre
2.What is the concept of the book? What is it about?
3.Who is the audience & why do they need this book now?
4.Why are you an authority? What credentials do you have that make you an expert in this field?
5.What differentiates this book from all others on the topic?
(Above adapted from Jandy Nelson’s “Pitch Perfect” in Katharine Sands’ Making the Perfect Pitch)
Steps to writing your pitch:
1.Answer the 5 questions above and the brainstorming questions below.
2.Circle the words, phrases, and information that best capture the essence of your book.
3.Organize the info into roughly 3 sentences (sorry, there’s no magic formula with nonfiction).
4.Play w/ phrasing, tone, order, details, delivery until your pitch is informative & punchy.
5.Ask for specific feedback from others. Is it clear? Is it compelling? What could improve?
6.Based on their feedback, revise your pitch. Share it again. Repeat till you’ve got it right.
Brainstorming questions:
Many of these ask the same questions from above but in different ways. No need to answer them all, but it should get the juices flowing…
1.What is the book’s scope? What does it include and what does it not include? How is this different from other books on the market?
2.Why are you interested in writing it? How did you become passionate about this topic? What made you realize there was a need for it?
3.What is the book’s thesis or lesson? How is this message or the delivery of this message unique?
4.List 5 benefits readers will take away from your book. What’s the greatest problem your book will solve for readers?
5.How will you deliver its benefits? What stylistic elements (lists, sidebars, interviews, etc.) or prose elements (e.g., professional tone, layperson’s voice, research) will help you deliver?
6.Who will buy your book and why? Think specifics—gender, age, income, experience, etc.
7.How will you reach this audience (do you blog, do speaking gigs, teach classes on your topic, etc.)?
8.Why are you the best person to write this book?
9.Why is your book timely? What’s going on right now that creates a good climate for your book?
10.What other books are like yours? What does your book do similarly? What does your book do differently?
Writing a fiction pitch (download the PDF)
WRITING A PITCH FOR FICTION
by Janna Cawrse Esarey, author of The Motion of the Ocean
A fiction pitch includes:
1.Title and genre/audience
2.Setting—set the stage: Who are the characters, where are they, what has been happening to them of late?
3.Hook: The conflict or problem the hero/ine must overcome; a compelling turn of events that changes the course of the narrative
4.Resolution: A wrap-up that doesn’t necessarily give away your ending but evokes an emotion or big concept
(Above adapted from Jandy Nelson’s “Pitch Perfect” in Katharine Sands’ Making the Perfect Pitch)
Steps to writing your pitch:
1.Answer the brainstorming questions below.
2.Circle the words, phrases, and information that best capture the essence of your book.
3.Organize this info into roughly 3 sentences: Setting, Hook, Resolution.
4.Play w/ phrasing, tone, order, details, delivery until your pitch is informative & punchy.
5.Ask for specific feedback from others. Is it clear? Is it compelling? What could improve?
6.Based on their feedback, revise your pitch. Share it again. Repeat till you’ve got it right.
Brainstorming questions:
You won’t include all this in your pitch, but it should get the juices flowing…
1.Describe your main character. What makes her special or quirky? What motivates her? What is her life like at the beginning of the novel; what’s the status quo?
2.Describe the setting of the novel. Era, geographical location, political climate, etc. Only use vital setting details in your pitch.
3.What happens to the main character that changes everything? What turns his world upside down?
4.What does the main character need or want? How can he get it? What/who is standing in his way? Consider including the antagonist, but only if you can be clear and concise.
5.What must the main character risk in order to achieve her goal?
6.What is the climax of the story? Is there a cliff-hanger you should use in your pitch? What does the reader most want to learn by the end of the story?
7.What are the novel’s main themes or big concepts? What is discovered, learned, or revealed by the end of the story?
8.How will the novel make readers feel?
9.Who will buy your book and why? Think specifics—gender, age, income, experience, etc.
10.What other books are like yours?
