A pitch is a brief description of your project that leaves an agent or editor wanting to read your manuscript. If it's just you and the agent of your dreams in an elevator, how would you describe your manuscript?

During a pitch session, be prepared with answers about yourself, your career, your goals as a writer and any other projects you're working on. For pitch sessions at the conference, you can bring a writing sample of 1-2 pages.

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Why is a pitch important?

If you can't boil down the essentials of your story in 1-2 sentences, maybe it's not ready for publication. A pitch is like the blurb on a book jacket - enticing, yet mysterious enough to get you to crack the book covers.

This is an opportunity to get the viewpoint of a publishing professional on your work and how it fits into the marketplace. Children's publishing is a business, and as writers this perspective is highly valuable to revising your project to give it the best chance possible in the market.

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How should I prepare for a pitch?

Start with a 1-2 sentence summary of your work(s)-in-progress. Practice it until you have the perfect version of a succinct and attention-grabbing answer to the question, "so what's this book you're writing about?" Treat it as a business meeting. Be confident, personable, honest and enthusiastic about your project(s).

The publishing professional may not like your idea. Don't take it personally. Instead, ask for advice on how to make your idea more saleable.

The publishing professional may request for you to send the manuscript (or a partial) for review. The publishing professional will instruct you how to submit it - do not bring manuscripts with you for them. They are traveling and do not have space to haul back your manuscript. Follow their directions carefully and be sure to submit your highest quality work if requested.

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What is the difference between a pitch and a manuscript consultation?

A manuscript consultation allows you to send a portion of your manuscript in advance to a publishing professional. At the conference, you receive written feedback specific to your manuscript and discuss it with the publishing professional.

A pitch allows you to essentially query a publishing professional in person about your project. Nothing is sent in advance. You can find out if your project piques their interest and if they'd like to see more. The publishing professional can give you feedback on your pitch, ask questions about the project or other projects in progress, your writing career and goals for the future. It's more of a business meeting with a publishing professional.

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