Hello everyone,

The time is rapidly approaching when many romance writers will be making the annual pilgrimage to the Romance Writer's of America's conference. There, for an exorbitant fee, writers can mingle with multi-published authors like Nora Roberts, Heather Graham, Christina Dodd and more, network, attend workshops, and most importantly--pitch their manuscripts to editors and agents.

The latter can be the most harrowing experience of a writer's life, so here are a few tips to live through it.

1. Don't be nervous---Yeah, I know. Easier said than done. I hated pitching because no matter how hard I tried, I inevitably froze. Couldn't remember a damned thing about my novel. I once wrote out what I wanted to say and the editor asked, "What? You don't know your own book?" I confessed my nerves always got the better of me. She then spent a couple of minutes talking about nothing just to calm me down. In the end, she requested a full. I was eventually rejected, but will always have a soft spot in my heart for the editor who cared.

2. Practice, practice, practice---You'll have 10 minutes to tell the agent or editor about your story, so hit the high points like goals, motivation, and conflict for characters, and a brief concept of the plot. If there's time left, elaborate on the plot. And don't forget to mention if this manuscript has won or finaled in any contests. Before you sit in the hot seat, practice your pitch with a friend or in the mirror until you know it backwards.

3. Don't forget to smile and introduce yourself to the editor or agent. A few seconds of hello, how are you, nice to meet you, is appreciated.

4. Never pitch an unfinished manuscript---Two quick cases in point.

 My critique partner had a terrific concept for a series. She wrote the first chapter a few days prior to a conference and pitched it to an editor thinking she'd request the usual partial and a synopsis. The editor loved the idea and requested a full. Gulp! My friend spent the next 3 weeks writing a chapter a day, sending it through critique, and editing, all while holding down a day job. The book sold, as did the next two in the series, but I wouldn't recommend this as the way to do it.

The second case involves another friend who had the good fortune to win several contests with a dynamite story. She had honed that first chapter to near perfection. Unfortunately, she only had five considerably less honed, finished chapters, so when the agent asked if it was a completed manuscript, she lied and said yes. The agent requested the full and my friend got busy writing the rest of the story. It took her over six months. By the time she sent it in, the agent had forgotten about her, the story, and the conference. It also showed she'd lied. It took the agent only a week to send the rejection letter. The manuscript still lingers unsold.

Moral of the stories--don't put yourself in a position of getting 3 hours sleep a night, and don't lie.

There are a lot of other things you can do to sell your manuscript before the dreaded pitch session. Editors and agents love to hang out in hotel lobbies and bars to chat. Don't be shy. Offer to buy them a drink, and just talk--do not pitch unless asked. Ask about their families, their lives outside of publishing, anything to break the ice. If you have an appointment with that person the next day, mention it and say how much you're looking forward to the experience.

Remember, editors and agents want you to succeed. They'd like nothing better than to snag that next NYT bestseller. Why shouldn't it be yours? Now, get out there and pitch--someone just might catch your fast ball.

Have a good one.

Suzanne