The art of pitching
Editor's Notes, April 2010
Published: February 26, 2010
If you plan to attend a writers conference this year, you should definitely consider signing up for a pitch session. Many events offer you the chance to meet with editors and agents and present your best story ideas one on one. These sessions are quick, often lasting only 10 minutes, so you must be ready to give it your best shot.
In “How to impress agents and editors” (page 38), contributing editor Kelly James-Enger offers a number of winning strategies to use as you prepare for your meeting. She reminds us that a pitch session is a two-way exchange: “A one-on-one meeting gives you the opportunity to not only pitch, but also listen and respond to what the editor says. It’s also an opportunity to get the insider’s track on the publication. Is the magazine going to be moving in a new direction? Becoming more service-oriented? Is it looking to broaden its audience?”
Also in this issue is our annual guide to writers conferences (starting on page 47). This year we highlight 88 great events in 42 states, four Canadian provinces, England and the Czech Republic. In addition, look for some quick conference pointers from the organizers of two well-known events in Mary Lynn’s “Market Q&A” (page 52).
For even more on conferences, go to the Articles section of our redesigned Web site, WriterMag.com, and search for “conferences.”
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There are just two months left to enter The Writer 2010 Short-Story Contest, which is co-sponsored by Gotham Writers’ Workshop. We’re looking for original fiction, up to 2,000 words, on any theme. The first-place winner will receive $1,000, a 10-week online workshop from Gotham, publication, and a one-year subscription to The Writer. For complete details and entry form, go to www.WriterMag.com/2010contest.
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