PubChat: 4 Myths About Agent Pitch Events
Agent Pitch Events are a frequent feature of writers workshops and conferences. You may see advertisements for them online or in your nearest city. They might excite you. 10 minutes with an agent who could love my pitch! It might be daunting. 10 minutes with an agent who might pass on my work face-to-face. I’m not going to advocate for or against them (that’s up to you, writer, and whether or not an agent one-on-one is a value add). However, in this blog post, I’m going to bust some myths and offer some tips for those planning to attend.
If we’re meeting for the first time here, I’m Frannie, a literary agent who’s taken pitches at several virtual and in-person events. I love one-on-one pitches because of the connection. Considering projects through QueryTracker is a quiet endeavor, a mix of reading and contemplation. But my favorite part of agenting is partnering with and working alongside authors. Pitch events allow me to do that. It’s a chance for me to consider projects, meet authors where they are, chat about storytelling, and see what’s trending on the writer side of things.
The main benefits of a pitch event can be two-fold: live feedback and working chemistry. But I’ve heard some misconceptions floating around, things that might put the first-time pitch attendee on edge. So let’s jump in and debunk them together, shall we?
Common Myths
MYTH: I have to memorize my pitch.
FACT: It is perfectly fine for you to read your pitch, sometimes even preferred! At the end of the day, an agent will want to hear the strongest pitch you have, and if that means written and read, then that might be what works best.
MYTH: This event will give me an advantage with agents.
FACT: Sometimes…but not often. Most agents, including myself, will happily share that they sign the majority of their clients from cold queries, aka the slush pile. A one-on-one pitch session is great to get real-time feedback on a pitch and hear what’s working. It’s also a way to test an agent’s vibes to see if you might have a good working relationship. But an agent will still need to read your pages, and even great pitches get passed on because an agent may not have connected with those pages.
MYTH: The goal is to get a request or a pass.
FACT: Pitch events, especially those that are paid, are guaranteed time with an agent. Regardless of the agent’s answer, this is a chance for you to test your pitch and make improvements if needed. If you have any questions about the pitch, your work, the market, or publishing, this is your chance to ask. If your pitch is ten minutes, try to aim for a three to five minute pitch with reserved time in the back half. Even if an agent passes, there will be time for conversation and critique. If there’s no questions, I generally ask, “Are you pitching anyone else today? Would you like any feedback on your pitch?” and we dive in from there. But my most memorable conversations have happened when authors have questions prepared!
MYTH: My manuscript needs to be finished and submission-ready before I participate.
FACT: It can sometimes be helpful to pitch before the manuscript is ready. In fact, I would encourage authors to be testing their pitches before their projects are ready, whether it’s to friends, fellow writers, everyone at your family reunion, that random cashier who asked about your day and got more than they bargained for… Pitch events can become brainstorm sessions with an industry professional, and in this way, the author and agent can can chat market viability, discuss comps, and patch holes in the manuscript. I can’t speak for all agents, but I enjoy these types of sessions, as I consider the work “in progress.” It’s not a yes or a no from me, since the project is still in development. But if you come with questions, this can be a productive time.
How to Best Prepare:
Write down, practice, and time your pitch ahead of time.
The pitch should be similar to a query - around 350 words with a hook, comparable titles from the past three to five years, and a short bio. If possible, see if this can be kept to no more than half of the pitch time to leave room for discussion.Bring questions.
Maybe you have questions about that particular agent and how they work. Maybe you want to see if your 1-2 sentence hook is working. Maybe you need to check your comps. Whatever it is, whether related to your work or something else, have a few at the ready so that you can make the most of your one-on-one time.
Reminders:
Hardcopy pitch decks or books might not be as helpful as they seem.
I understand the intention behind this, as well as the thought and care that goes into sharing materials. However, the unfortunate reality is that most agents won’t get to reading them. For instance, I keep all my queries in QueryTracker, even if requested at a pitch event, so that I can organize them in one place. I get hundreds of pitches per month, and as such, QueryTracker is the only way I can keep track. If I’m considering your query and believe we could have a good partnership, I’ll ask for more material. If you become a client, we’ll review your backlist together. But please trust that this will happen. I don’t want to take one of your valuable books, even as a gift, if I know I won’t have a chance to read it.Agents are people.
Accept the agent’s response.
If the pitch is not a fit for an agent, know that this is par for the course. Your work will not be for everyone, unfortunately. No one’s work is. Pitching is a journey to find a partner in your corner. Not all feedback will be for you, and that’s okay. This is your story, your intellectual property. A pass is a pass, but it doesn’t mean that conversation afterwards can’t be positive and productive.
Respect the agent’s time.
Often pitch sessions are timed. They usually run 10 to 15 minutes depending on the event, and since they’re stacked one after the other, it’s important to respect the agent’s time. As an added note: I’m not so great at cutting people off (it’s something I’m working on), so I need collaboration on the author’s part. I’m sure other agents will agree. Without a timer, some of the conversations could go on infinitely. In virtual events especially, where the agent is the sole timekeeper, it’s important to end on time, and an author’s cooperation is a huge part of that.
Be normal.
If you’re self-conscious about being normal, this advice might not be for you. But if you’ve considered pitching an agent outside of your pitch session, if you’ve followed the agent to their car or tried to ask them about representation in the bathroom line, please take a moment before hounding them down. A pitch could be the beginning of a working relationship, one built on respect and collaboration. An author’s actions show an agent what kind of team member you will be. If an agent would like you to pitch them outside of the event, on their own time, they will ask you.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
If you trip over words, read the wrong line, cough, zone out, get nervous…all of this is okay! It is human, and pitching is a vulnerable experience. Agents aren’t seeking perfection. We’re looking for potential. If you need to start over, no worries. Whatever you need, at the end of the day, we are rooting for you. We want you to do your best.
Final Takeaway: An Agent’s Point of View
I always lead with hope. Hope that the project will be a fit. Hope that the author and I will click. Much like speed dating (as the author / agent relationship is a relationship at its core), I’m trying to see if there will be a match. Not everyone will be - that’s just the stats. But I remember good pitches and kind authors who are passionate about their books. When an author has a good pitch, I’m genuinely so excited to dive in, and I want writers to find success for their work.
Whether you’re new to pitch events or if you’re a seasoned pro, I hope this list alleviates some nerves. Pitching can be intimidating, but it’s a learned and necessary skill for a publishing career. You’ll always be pitching yourself and your work to agents, publishers, and readers. The more you do it, the better you’ll get. A pitch event is a great way to practice.
Wishing you success during your pitch events, and if you have any questions that haven’t been answered above, comment below!
