Pitching

On the heel of my last post, I figured I'd talk about my pitch at the conference. I originally intended on pitching my first Immortal Guardians book, Dark Seduction, but after a few suggestions from other people, decided to pitch the second one - and yes, I'm about to finally tell you the title - Seduction Ignited.

Let's just say, I learned a lesson.

If your first novel in a series hasn't been published, then that is really the only one you should be pitching.

The editor that I pitched to yesterday stopped me about a minute into my pitch (embaaarrrraaasssssiiiinnng), and told me to pitch the first one. So, I stopped, switched the focus of my mind, and pitched Dark Seduction. I'm still trying to decide if maybe this was a blessing in disguise, because normally, if I'd just pitched the first one in the series, then she likely wouldn't have known about the second.

Why is this important you ask?

Well, you see, because she was at least aware that a 2nd one existed (and it came up that there are several more on the way), she asked for partials on BOTH novels! Now, I'm not saying that it will go anywhere. It's hard to assume anything when there is a 95% rejection rate, but I can say that I'm excited that she was interested not only my novel(s), but the series.

I can only hope, at this point, that she enjoys my writing style and loves the Immortal Guardians every bit as much as I do.

Considering E-Pubbing

As a member of the RWA, I frequently receive emails on different trainings, conferences, and even just regular chit-chat.

I got an email today, and it surprisingly went along with something I've been considering doing for a while. An author listed out her successes with E-publishing, listing the amount of E-Books she's sold since she uploaded them few months. Now, I know not everyone has the same experiences, but I was seriously shocked at how well her book was selling. So, I think I'll start researching freelance editors who would be interested in editing my 1st (and possibly 2nd) book. I figure that if I can't get my foot in the door with agents or publishers, then at least I can go down this road and get myself out there.

We'll see what happens. Like I said, I have a lot of research ahead of me, but hopefully you'll see my books on the shelves (er, virtual ones) soon!

Hating the Game

I just received another rejection from an agent. Seriously, I don't know if the concept of my books suck (sorry, boys), or if I just suck at writing the query letter. At least this agent replied with some feedback that I can work with. She said that she just didn't feel compelled to want to know more. So, I guess I'll revise my query letter yet again in hopes that I can capture the right agent's interest.

On a side note, I've been editing Raider's book (whenever I find time) and have even written some more scenes in one of my YA novels. I'm trying to work on my books as often as I can; I really don't want to lose motivation, and rejections really put a dampering on the writing mood.

Nerves

I think my nerves are getting to me. I'm really nervous that the agent won't contact me back because she doesn't like my sample pages of Dark Seduction. I'm constantly thinking that the book isn't good enough, and I'm always tempted to make changes to it.

I'm over 12,000 words now on Thrash's book, but I'm having a terrible time at keeping my concentration on him.

My wonderful hubby keeps telling me to not change book #1 until I hear feedback from an agent, but the issue is, if they don't like it, they don't even contact you back.

Stupid nerves...

Holy Crap!... and then, not.

Wow, I got really excited today. I looked in my email and saw a message from the agent that I pitched to (and submitted my 10 pages with synopsis).

HOLY CRAP, right??

Haha, not so much. It was the autoresponder coming through saying that she got my submission. I guess I'm just playing the waiting game now. *pout.

The Pitch

Dun, dun, duuuun (scary music).

The Pitch...
Could there be scarier words when it comes to an author? I doubt it. Well, except for the dreaded "Your book sucks."

For weeks I've been trying to write my synopsis, perfect my first 3 chapters, write my cover letter (which I kicked ass at by the way), and type up my pitch.

At first, I tried to use my cover letter as my pitch, but it filled a whole 2 minutes instead of the minimum of 4 that I need to fill. So, scratch that one! Instead, I started using parts of my cover letter (because again, I really did kick ass at writing that thing up), but I had to make it flow a bit better for the way I talk. I didn't want to go in there and sound like I was reading something. I wanted to be bright and cheerful and... me.

Welllllll.... nothing really goes as planned, does it.

I had the hardest time memorizing my pitch. Even in front of my wonderful husband, I would freeze up and giggle. (Yes, I'm a giggler). I started to panic.

I can't do this, holy crap I'm going to puke on the agent...

So, my friends and I get to the conference. On and on, I kept memorizing my pitch, and I finally got the dammed thing memorized. I had it flowing well (in my head), and I thought that maybe I could really pull it off! Yeah, not so much... As soon as I tried it outloud (meaning on the phone with my husband while trying not to look at my cheat sheet), I blew it.

Panicking... Shaking... Sweating... Urge to puke building.... This is going to suck.

So, my time comes up, and it is time for me to pitch. I walk to the elevator and hit number 6 to go up to the suite for the pitch appointments. I feel sooo sick. I'm going to screw up this chance and I'll never try it again...

I get to the suite, and sit down. The agent took a quick break to grab some food, which left me some more time to rehearse my memorized pitch in my head. My shirt was sweaty under my pits and I just knew I would die if I eff'd this up. The agent walks in and sits down, and the strangest thing happened.

A calm came over me. Now, really its the strangest thing. Every time I go in for an interview, I'm nervous as hell before it. But as soon as I actually see the person I'm meeting with, I calm down. Cue "me."

I smiled. I introduced myself. Introduced my novel as Dark Seduction, and that its currently 100,000 words. Yes, I said currently, I couldn't help myself. You just never know if you need to add a little or take a little away. The only thing I said to her that I actually memorized is my hook line. Everything else I pulled out of 'Calm Kristie's" mind, and I nailed it! The agent actually liked my idea and asked me to send the synopsis along with the first ten pages of my novel.

And here I thought I was going to puke on her and screw the hole thing up. I guess things never go as you planned. Sometimes they are better!

RWA Conference

Wow! I just got back from the Heart of the West RWA Conference.

It. Was. Amazing.

I learned so much at the conference:
      Tips on discipline, marketing, pitching, querying... You name it, they taught it.

There was an incredible panel of agents, editors, and publishers there. Even a buyer for Borders was there to tell us about what is currently selling. So I've decided to start this blog and start keeping track of the processes entailed in writing, pitching, querying, et cetera, et cetera.