dominate your 4-minute author pitch
TRANSCRIPT
Dominateyour 4-minuteAuthor Pitch
Founder, Quill Shift Literary Agency
Ayanna Coleman
4 minutesfly...
...and sometimesyou're nervous
But messing it up could
mean:
The best YOU is not showcased
No one requests your work becausethey don't "get it"
Remember!
You're selling yourself as much as your work
How does one
succeed?
How to prepare
How to perform
How to respond
By understanding:
PREPARATION
Do your
research on
the agents
and editors
in
attendance
before you
pitch.
Match
your
work
with
those
who
would
want it.
PERFORMANCE
Smile
Shake hands
Set materials out of way
Make eye contact
Take a deep breath
Smile again and begin
Pitch Checklist
Your name Describe the setting
Explain the conflict
Close with why readers willfall into your story
Tell what books yourwork is similar to/why
Introduce the maincharacters
Title of your work
Genre your work fits into
Word count of your work
Why you want to pitchthat agent or editor
RESPONSE
NOT THIS
Response Options
Thank the agent/editor
Respectfully ask if there isany room for improvementin your pitch or story
Ask if it should be anattachment or within e-mail
Shake hands and leave
Shake hands and leave
Ask what length you shouldsend for their review (full, 1st25 pgs, etc.)
Interest No InterestThank the agent/editor
