But I'm getting a grip on the excitement (and the exclamation points) because we have rules for this terrific event; I have to follow 'em and so do you. So let's all take a deep breath and look at how the Pitch Party works:
1. If you’re interested in presenting a pitch (It's still FREE!), you must sign up when you register. Look for the button labeled “Start With a Pitch!”
2. Perfect your pitch! And to help you, this year we'll be hosting a Practice Your Pitch Before the Pitch Party Party. YAY! We'll be meeting on Zoom January 22nd, 7 to 9 PM Eastern--and yes, that's FREE, too!--for anyone who'd like to practice a pitch and get feedback before facing the pitch panel. (You don't have to sign up for the Zoom meeting when you register but you will need the Zoom link. We'll be sending that link and more information in January.)
3. Bring your pitch with you when you come for wik2020.
4. The morning of the conference, we’ll draw names from those who have signed up. We’ll announce the names at the beginning of the Pitch Party. YOU MUST BE IN ATTENDANCE AND READY TO PARTICIPATE. If you choose at that time NOT to participate, do not line up.
5. Each person participating will have 30 seconds to make the pitch. Yes, we've changed the time limit! ONLY THIRTY SECONDS! You may wish to read your pitch rather than memorize it. Either way, we'll stop you when you go over the limit. (See why that practice is so important?)
6. Each member of the Pitch Panel may or may not give feedback.
We hope to have enough time to double the number of people who pitch this year! But that means you must be prepared. So come join us at the Practice Your Pitch Before the Pitch Party Party on January 22nd! For now, here's a helpful hint from author and pitch pro Janice Hardy:
A spoken pitch is different from a written one, and a lot of writers make the mistake of writing something that reads fine, but it's too long to say properly. It's easy to get tangled up in a pitch when you're nervous. Two sentences, tops. One trick is to have your friends and family randomly ask you what your book is about to get you in the habit of just spitting it out when asked. Good practice!"
And she adds, have a good title. "It's not a must have, but my agent said she wanted to ask for my manuscript based on title alone. So it can be what hooks the agent."
The Pitch Party could be just the thing to bring your career into sharper focus! And believe me, I know how excited we all are about the Pitch Party! But calm down and concentrate because you can't participate unless you sign up for the Pitch Party when you register.
REGISTER FOR WIK2020 HERE! EARLY BIRD OPENS ON DECEMBER 15TH.
Cathy C. Hall is the Co-ARA here at SCBWI Southern Breeze and when she's not tossing about exclamation points indiscriminately here at the blog, she's writing other stuff. But there are still going to be lots of exclamation points (mostly in Middle Grade or Young Adult manuscripts).
If you have questions, contact her at southern-breeze-ara2@scbwi.org. She has lots of answers! (And sometimes, they're right.)
A spoken pitch is different from a written one, and a lot of writers make the mistake of writing something that reads fine, but it's too long to say properly. It's easy to get tangled up in a pitch when you're nervous. Two sentences, tops. One trick is to have your friends and family randomly ask you what your book is about to get you in the habit of just spitting it out when asked. Good practice!"
And she adds, have a good title. "It's not a must have, but my agent said she wanted to ask for my manuscript based on title alone. So it can be what hooks the agent."
The Pitch Party could be just the thing to bring your career into sharper focus! And believe me, I know how excited we all are about the Pitch Party! But calm down and concentrate because you can't participate unless you sign up for the Pitch Party when you register.
REGISTER FOR WIK2020 HERE! EARLY BIRD OPENS ON DECEMBER 15TH.
Cathy C. Hall is the Co-ARA here at SCBWI Southern Breeze and when she's not tossing about exclamation points indiscriminately here at the blog, she's writing other stuff. But there are still going to be lots of exclamation points (mostly in Middle Grade or Young Adult manuscripts).
If you have questions, contact her at southern-breeze-ara2@scbwi.org. She has lots of answers! (And sometimes, they're right.)
Art Image by wik2020 brochure illustrator David SanAngelo.
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