How do you write a Elevator Pitch that will sell your book to a Publisher or an Literary Agent?
You create an unforgettable blurb that will catch their attention … A snappy sentence that contains who and what, with a very captivating why.
Think …What’s your story really about? What makes your story unique? … and so intriguing?
• Check out the TV guide to get ideas on how movie blurbs are written.
• Make it clear, powerful and visual.
• Tweak a one-liner, substituting the strongest nouns and verbs imaginable.
• Write a short 6-word pitch, turn it into a longer 12-word pitch.
Where can you deliver your Elevator Pitch?
• In query letters in the very first paragraph … asking if you can send your manuscript.
• In cover letters with the requested manuscript.
• Synopsis … in the first or second sentence.
• Blurbs on promotional postcards.
• Delivering your pitch face-to-face to a Publisher or Agent
Last year at a Queensland Writers Centre cocktail party, I had an unique opportunity to meet Australia’s TOP Literary Agent. After I introduced myself as a writer, she said …
‘Sorry, I’m not taking on anymore writers.’
…’But I have a pitch that could change your mind,’ I said.
‘Okay, hit me with it.’
I sucked in a lungful of air …
‘After parents at my school harass me, my Personality begins to change.’
… my elevator pitch for “ME AND HER: a Memoir of Madness.”
This pitch made her do a double-take! …’Okay, send me your manuscript’.
What’s your elevator pitch?
Is it ready to roll off your tongue when an opportunity arrives?
All problems fixed now. Reposted ELEVATOR PITCH.
Thanks to all who helped me with their time and advice. So much appreciated. :))
Guess who’s on the Sci-Fi program at Logan North Library in August?
Yes, yours truly.
I’m so lucky to share this mega program with Sci-Fi and Fantasy celebrities Marianne de Pierres, Trent Jamieson, Kylie Chan, Louise Cusack and Rowena Cory Daniells who’ll speak on … ‘Simple Ways to Promote your Book’ on Grand Finale Day, 28th August 11-12.30 pm.
Logan City Sci-Fi writer Kev Webb, author of Dream Raider will present ‘Publishing … Dreams to Reality’ on the 14th August 2-3pm.
It’ll be a month of cosmic proportions … super competitions, extra-terrestrial encounters, fantastic Writing Workshops and its all FREE.
On Friday 27th August 4-5 pm I’ll read Josh and the It to the Junior Book Club … Does anyone have any spare 6-11 olds I could borrow? Kids will receive prizes for best costume and complete a fun Space Activity.
Check out the full program, scroll down to see my session on page 11.
http://loganlibraries.org/extra/SciFiProgram.pdf
August will be an Out-of-this-World blast. Hope to see you there. Please book PH 3412 4120.
##What do you think of the FREE Josh and the It postcards I’ll be giving out at the RADF Showcase/ EXPO this Saturday at the Logan Art Gallery? … See you there 2-4 pm.
PS This Blog was edited.
I’m teetering on the precipice of Publishing, toes jutting over the edge. I gaze down at the deep abyss of failure and defeat. And stare over to the other side … the Mystical Land of Publishing.
All I need is a running leap.
My heart is pounding with exhilaration and uncertainty. I battle with the sharp pangs of self-doubt and frustration. Will I make it? … Can I grab hold of something substantial?
Last Friday I sent my newly-revamped first 50 pages of my Crime novel Sayonara to the QWC/Hachette Manuscript Program. They’ll notify me by the end of August if I make their Long List. Fingers crossed. xx
This week I’m back with my Kids Sci-Fi, Josh and the It. My rewrites almost finished, save for daily tweaking and fine-tuning.
At the moment I’m developing a knock-em-dead Book Proposal. Content includes my credentials, a synopsis, a chapter outline and a VIP Marketing Section. Thank you QWC for publishing an article on “Make yours a Decent Proposal” on page 14 of last week’s WQ Mag. Soon I’ll be sending a Query Letter to a Children’s Publisher, requesting permission to post my Book Proposal and manuscript to them … Please, please say YES.
I’m not rushing now, no reckless Icarus flights for me. My next step will be a calculated measure of wind velocity and speed. My folded wings are ready to spread out and soar over the gorge into the land of my dreams.
If I sprint fast enough, can I lunge over the Chasm of Defeat and fly into the Land of Hope?
A land where writers co-sign Book Contracts. Where they bask in the sunshine of success and fulfilled dreams.
That’s all I want.
This Exposé guarantees to get to the crux of ME AND HER: a Memoir of Madness.
Jamie Huntsman Coulter, American social media manager, mental health advocate and creator of
‘Rambling Thoughts of a Bipolar‘ interviewed me on her Facebook page.
Jamie posed gritty questions, aiming to get to the heart of my illness, my creativity and my Recovery.
Here’s a glimpse of her in-depth Exposé …
When were you first diagnosed?
In 2005, five years ago.
What led to your diagnosis?
Police and a medical team forcibly hospitalized me after I showed extreme manic and psychotic behaviour at the motel where I was hiding.
Were there signs as a child, now that you look back?
Not really. As a child, I suffered from anxiety. As a teenager, when I moved to Teachers College, I developed social angst and insomnia.
How did you feel about the diagnosis?
I was in denial. Initially I refused to accept my diagnosis of Bipolar or take any medication.
Do you go to therapy?
Not anymore. In 2005-6, I actively participated in all therapy sessions, learning coping strategies and how to avoid my triggers.
Do you have a creative side?
Most definitely. I began writing obsessively in 2005 in the euphoria of hypomania and I haven’t stopped. Today creative writing is my everyday passion.
Today, how do you tunnel the energy from bipolar?
By writing full-time, supporting writing groups and mental health organizations. I’m organising Logan Writers Week for October 2010.
What do you hope others get from your BIPOLAR Story?
I want people to know …
You CAN recover from Bipolar Disorder and live a full and productive life.
Is there anything else you want to share?
Please don’t give up. Seek help and support for your illness. Keep taking your meds and pursue everything there is to learn.
Any words of encouragement for those struggling with Bipolar?
ME AND HER: a Memoir of Madness is my gutsy story of my struggle and victory over Bipolar Disorder. You can recover from Bipolar with time, determination and vigilance.
Self-knowledge and self-awareness are crucial in developing your own wellness plan to keep you stable.
My ME AND HER Newsletter delivers positive spins on mental health, and messages of hope and recovery. Please let me know if you’d like to subscribe.
Check out the complete interview, scroll down, find Karen … facebook.com/ramblingbipolar
What did you think ? …
Did I give too much away?
What a month already!
July’s proving to be my most successful month yet!
On Tuesday, the Society of Editors Mentoring Scheme accepted ME AND HER: a Memoir of Madness into their program.
Thank you Queensland Writers Centre for recommending this program to me. xx
What does that Mean?
A Team of Editors will examine my Memoir and suggest ways to “amp” it up … They’ll provide a written structural report I could use to market ME AND HER.
An Editor contacted me, wanting to know what feedback Publishers had offered already and what changes I had made.
I explained the positive Feedback, my manuscript had generated with each successive Publisher.
I hope this Mentoring Scheme boosts my manuscript and thrusts it over the Publishing Line.
** NEWSFLASH #1 **
On Wednesday Chelsi, from Logan City Council challenged me …
Could I speak for 5 minutes at the RADF Showcase on the highlights of my Grant Project? … And answer questions from the public?
I gulped and said YES.
Last year I received a RADF grant to pay for the Year of the Edit, a QWC writing course to strengthen my novels.
The RADF Showcase is an information session on how grants can bolster your Writing and Arts career.
I’m sending invitations … Hope to see you on Saturday 31st July at Logan Art Gallery 2-4 pm.
** NEWSFLASH # 2 **
Yesterday, The Happiness Institute, a psychology network endorsed my article,
How I found My Happiness. It will be published to 12,000 subscribers soon.
And I’m waiting for NEWS on Writing competitions and other story/article Publications too.
July’s gearing up to be one insane, challenging month.
Can’t wait for August too … But that’s a different Story
Last Friday, a Children’s Publisher emailed the most Positive Rejection letter possible for my Kids Sci-Fi chapter novel, Josh and the It.
So good I want to frame it.
Words like … ‘Your plot is strong and moves along at a good pace. Like your addition of humour … its child centred. You have successfully created a strong first novel in an action packed adventure series … It does have commercial potential.’
The Publisher’s feedback was a writer’s dream, offering suggestions on how to improve my manuscript … Now I’m working on how to strengthen the characterization, constructing each character to be more distinct and identifiable.
How do I do that?
• Interview each character and complete a comprehensive character profile … Is he a night owl or an early riser? … What’s his favourite game?
• Check each character has quirky traits/ mannerisms (Tags) to make them stand out.
• Assign each character his own catch-phrase/ buzz words.
• Visualise and play-act actions and reactions between the characters to make them authentic and believable.
For the next few weeks, I’ll be rewriting Josh and the It then I’ll send it off to the next Publisher. She even suggested which Publishers which would be a ‘Good Fit’ … I’m in eternal gratitude!
So when I’ve breathed Fresh Life into the characters from Josh and the It, I’ll compose a query letter, a book proposal and a resume in preparation for its next journey.
When is a rejection letter NOT a rejection letter?
When it inspires you to Enhance your story and send it off to its future home.
Yesterday morning a door SLAMMED in my face … several tears followed.
In the afternoon my Secret Genie cast a spell … a Double-Door FLUNG OPEN, offering bigger opportunities.
Someone from the Mental Health Association Queensland rang me, inquiring about my writing expertise and how we might help each other. First up, they asked me if I could meet them face-to-face ASAP.
I armed myself with my lucky red folio filled with writing samples … my mental health newsletter, articles I had written for Beyond Blue and The Happiness Institute, my Bipolar short story which will be published in an anthology next year … and Chapter 1 of my Me and Her:a Memoir of Madness.
Today I met with the Communications and Marketing Team to discuss new writing opportunities with their email and online newsletters. They are relaunching their journal, Balance and their website and they’ve invited me to submit stories and articles.
They also asked me to organize an event for Mental Health Week … 10th to 16th October which happens to coincide with Logan Writers Week … My mind’s ticking with ideas already
The MHA is huge community organisation funded by the Queensland government, networked with many community and workplace groups. They run resilience training programs and skills training workshops, organise support groups, coordinate wellness programs and community events. http://www.mentalhealth.org.au/
I’m very keen to become involved with this local organisation and I’m waiting to take up new writing and public speaking challenges.
Behind Aladdin’s door was a treasure-trove of opportunities and possibilities, I’m waiting to explore.
Can’t wait to get started at this opportune time.
On Tuesday, I received a Rejection letter from an American Publisher who was considering ME AND HER: a Memoir of Madness …The email struck an almighty blow as we had discussed Australian distributors and US speaking tours.
After the tears subsided, I requested feedback from the Publisher.
‘Your premise is good … I’m convinced you’ll have it published soon … I’d like to Review it.’
Now, I’m researching ways I can better deal with rejections in the future.
As writers, we must learn to be more resilient …
Here’s my TOP six strategies to combat the tears and frustrations.
- Rethink a Rejection … It’s a business decision … it’s not personal. It’s often not about the merit of the writing but business choices.
- Turn your rejection around … learn from the feedback.
- Live in Confidence, not expectation … Believe you will be Published
- The more you submit, the greater your chances are of receiving an acceptance!
- Recycle your writing … Rewrite, Revamp, Resend.
- Keep busy. Broaden your writing range and where you submit. Write magazine and online articles, guest blog on writer’s sites.
Jonathan Winters says, ‘When your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to it.’
More determined then ever for success, I’m working on individual and collaborative writing projects.
About my Memoir … what’s next?
I’m exploring new pathways to get my Memoir out there.
Be prepared for a surprise.
Remember … ‘A professional Writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.’ Richard Bach
Over the weekend, I received four irresistible invitations … an unbelievable offer to write an article for an eNewsletter with a readership of 12K … one for an in-depth interview … another for a Skype podcast interview… and one from a teenage writing prodigy to be a Guest Blogger.
Yesterday Alex Jay, pen-named BJ Cullen, fourteen-year-old author extraordinaire, invited me to write a piece for his blog, Teen Writer. He regularly interviews famous authors like Mem Fox, Rebecca James and Steph Bowe. I couldn’t refuse his offer.
He wanted to know … How my mental health issues influenced the writing of Me and Her: a Memoir of Madness.
Here’s some dramatic excerpts.
After parents at my school harassed me for over a year, I developed crippling anxiety and severe insomnia, tormented each night by night terrors. At the same time, I became hypomanic, feeling elated, speaking and writing so fast in between pacing back and forth. An irresistible urge to write overwhelmed me as I wrestled with the emotional changes brewing deep inside …
After I was committed to a psyche hospital, I interviewed doctors, nurses and patients questioning theirs and my sanity. I wrote ‘Harnessing Bipolarity’ and ‘Mental Health without Drugs,’ so ironic, these versions later melding into my memoir …
My second episode was more severe than the first, my mania quickly catapulting into psychosis. I experienced the weirdest blackest dreams, had conversations with God and the Dead and I sought out the Living to heal and to perform experiments. Each day I detailed these encounters in my notebooks, developing into intriguing chapters in my memoir …
On my journey to recovery, my writing became cathartic as I strove for long-term stability. I analysed Bipolar books and my past searching for answers that would save me and keep me healthy. Self-knowledge lead me to understand my triggers and how to avoid them …
Later I joined a writers group and the Queensland Writing Centre and learnt how to write from the bottom up, redrafting my Memoir many times, aiming for perfection and further insight into my illness so I could help others.
My mental health issues influenced every aspect of my Memoir. From my initial stress and anxiety, developing into full-blown Bipolar Disorder and to my recovery and hope for the future. Me and Her: a Memoir of Madness is now complete, ready to share with you the Reader.
Check out the FULL “Guest Blogger” Post at … http://www.bjcullen.blogspot.com/
Hey, what did you think?
An in-depth interview is coming soon. Watch this space.
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