How to Pitch your Book
Clients have been asking me about how to best pitch their books in preparation for the Agent’s Conference on June 25-27 in Austin. One of the best answers accidently arrived at my door the other evening…
I’d been in the middle of layering lasagna for dinner when the doorbell rang. Reluctantly, I left my task as my barking dog and I walked to the door. I peeked through the side window and saw a man with a clipboard. Oh no, I thought, a salesperson. I contemplated not answering it, but then I heard laughter and for some reason I opened it.
On the other side was a young man who was working for an environmental organization and was trying to get names for a petition and donations. But he couldn’t stop laughing. When he finally did, he pointed down at our floor mat, which says:
“Haiku #23
Ringing of the bell
Barking sounds behind door
Licker or biter?
Hearing our dog barking at the same time he was reading this haiku had just tickled him. And it was obvious, as our discussion went on, that he was simply a good natured kid who found more to be amused by in life than things to complain about.
Normally I can be pretty hard nosed with door to door salespeople. I have no problem sending them on their way with no contribution from our household. And before I opened the door – especially given that I was in the middle of making dinner – that’s exactly what I had planned to do. But between his laughter and his heart-felt description of the causes he was promoting (nothing felt canned about it), I melted. Before I knew it, I was signing the petition, offering to send letters, and handing him money.
Agents are no different. They may even be saying to themselves that they’ll never take on another book about how to thrive in a challenging marriage again, yet when you appear coming from a space of enthusiasm and good humor, they soften. They rethink. And maybe they even ask for the first 50 pages…