New England Crime Bake

flygal716 · Sep 11, 2011

Anyone been to this in the past, or planning to go this November? I'm signed up for my first Crime Bake and very excited to attend. The workshops and master classes look phenomenal. I'm particularly looking forward to having my first pitch session. Also nervous!

Do you have a success story to share regarding the pitch session?

I've been to many writers' conferences for children's writing in the past, but never one for mystery writers. I'd love to connect from any AW writers who might be there.

jeseymour · Sep 11, 2011

I'll be there. I'm on a panel.

Feel free to introduce yourself. I'll be wearing a nametag that says J.E. Seymour.

I've had no luck with pitching, so no advice, sorry. There is a good "practice your pitch" session that is very helpful.

flygal716 · Sep 12, 2011

Hi, J.E. I'll look for you there. I've signed up for the practice session and two of the pre-conference classes.

Somehow, naively, I thought I'd probably land an agent before the conference, but I'm beginning to accept the reality of query hell.

Congrats on your new book!

leon66a · Sep 12, 2011

Here's my advice for pitching, take it FWIW.

Don't pitch your plot. Everybody has a plot. Pitch your characters and pitch your voice. Pitch why your book is interesting, whether that's your characters, your voice, your voice, your time period. Obviously you have to explain what the book is about, but when doing so, try to put your characters and your voice front and center.

flygal716 · Sep 13, 2011

Good thoughts, leon66a. I've highlighted my main character and the unique aspects in my written queries. I don't think that pitch sounds good spoken aloud, though, so I'll have to revamp and make it more conversational. Thanks for your input.

Any other experiences/insights out there?

New England Crime Bake

flygal716

Jump in the way of good luck

jeseymour

flygal716

Jump in the way of good luck

leon66a

flygal716

Jump in the way of good luck