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What is a pitch & how do you write it?
What is a story pitch?
How do I write a story pitch?
What is a pitch & why is it important?
A story pitch is a succinct way of explaining what your story is about, what makes it right for the person you are pitching it to, and why it will sell.
Aug 31, 2024 · What is a story pitch? A story pitch is a brief description, usually no longer than 500 words or two paragraphs, intended to convince an editor, agent or publisher to commission the piece. Writers in various industries use pitches to encourage an organization to publish their work.
- Finish, revise, redraft first. You could, in theory, pitch a project that is still in development. Agents and editors often request partial manuscripts (with fifty pages of your manuscript being a common page count for partial requests).
- Find and follow guidelines. Speaking of not wasting your shot: Follow guidelines if given (a polite request for preferences if not readily available doesn’t hurt).
- Do the three Ps. The Poynter Institute for Media Studies offers some valuable advice for writing powerful pitches: The three Ps. In a piece on pitching a story (drawn from a course by Dan Grech called ‘Writing for the Ear’), Vicki Kreuger says
- Go for highlights over layers. This is advice on how to write a pitch courtesy of Penguin Random House. In advice on detailing the ‘high-concept hook’ that makes your story unique for your pitch, Phil Stamper-Halpin says
- The Road To Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett. “An elderly man plans to drive across the country to declare his love for his high-school sweetheart when he unexpectedly becomes the guardian of two recently orphaned children and an orange tabby cat who may or may not be able to predict death.”
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. “In the Fall of 1963, a Korean War veteran and criminal pleads insanity and is admitted to a mental institution, where he rallies up the scared patients against the tyrannical nurse.”
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. “After spending years in California, Amir returns to his homeland in Afghanistan to help his old friend Hassan, whose son is in trouble.”
- Playground by Richard Powers. “[Playground follows] four lives—a marine biologist, an artist, a school teacher, and an AI pioneer—that intersect on an island in French Polynesia when it is chosen as a base for seasteading, humanity's next great adventure.”
Feb 1, 2019 · A pitch is an email you write to an editor explaining a story idea that you feel is perfect for their publication, in hopes that they’ll agree and commission you to write the article. It’s not just any email, though — you’ll want to craft a concise description and explain why you’re the best person to write the piece and in about 500 ...
Oct 1, 2023 · Put simply, the pitch is the shortest, pithiest, catchiest, most enticing, meaningful and appealing summary of a book possible. Easy, right?! There’s a real knack to coming up with a good pitch for a manuscript or a proposal; it takes time, practice and – crucially – perspective.
Jan 19, 2023 · Your pitch should include a short description of your central protagonist. This is the character we will be engaged with and rooting for, or against. They should be compelling but above...
