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Pitch Perfect

Do you want to know how to nail your pitch to publishers?

Join us for this multi-day course which is designed to show you what’s involved in submitting a manuscript to publishers and agents, how to pitch your book both as a written submission and at a pitching event, and will answer all your questions on how to find the best publication outcome for your work.

We will cover all steps of the process, including:

  • identifying the right publishing solution for your work
  • getting access to the right publishers and the role of agents
  • how to get through the door
  • the template of how to describe your manuscript effectively
  • what to do when you receive an offer of publication

This course is oriented toward those writing for readers from middle grade through to adult fiction and non-fiction. It is not suitable for writers of children’s picture books.

At the conclusion of each session a detailed handout will be provided to all registered participants.

Previous attendees of this course have been quite successful at our Literary Speed Dating events. We strongly encourage all members who are intending to pitch at Literary Speed Dating to attend this course prior to pitching your work.

Recording:

A private link of the session recording will be provided to enrolled participants only and available for a limited period of 10 days. Once the viewing period has expired the recording will no longer be available to view. 

Handouts and slides will be provided to all registered participants if used in the session.

Course Outline

Session 1

What options are available to publish your book?

What kind of publisher suits your book [an overview of the landscape: independent, multinational, self-published]?

What kind of book have you written [genre: how to work it out and why you need to know]

Session 2

How to prepare a successful pitch

Learn the essential ingredients in a simple template to use when verbally pitching your manuscript at events such as Virtual Literary Speed Dating

VLSD Q&A session

Session 3

The role of literary agents and if you need one

How will you present your book to potential publishers? [Creating an effective outline: what to put in and what to leave out, how to describe the book you’ve written]

Session 4

How and where will you send your manuscript? [Putting together a submission: dos and don’ts to improve your chances]

(Please note the order of the sessions may change without notice.)

About the Presenters

Dr Emily Booth is the Strategic Director at Text Publishing, where she has worked across a number of different roles during the past twenty years.

Jodie Spiteri-James is the Professional Development and Events Manager at the ASA and has previously spent 20 years in publishing in Sales and Marketing and as a Managing Director.