*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/5575-The-Elevator-Pitch.html
Fantasy: March 20, 2013 Issue [#5575]

Newsletter Header
Fantasy


 This week: The Elevator Pitch
  Edited by: Storm Machine
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

The elevator pitch begins with the premise. You must understand what your book is about in order to pitch it to someone else.


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B083RZ2C5F
Amazon's Price: $ 19.99
Not currently available.


Letter from the editor

There are several ways to figure out where to put your book on the shelves. While we say we write speculative fiction, generally we as writers are specific about fantasy or science fiction. Start with the simplest way to explain it- an elevator pitch. This is very short and (we hope) only begins a discussion about your book. It is designed to get someone hooked on what's going on within your story in the time it takes for the elevator to get to its destination.

Can you hook someone that quickly? Or do you ramble on while someone looks bored?

Try to think of your book as one sentence. It seems impossible, but the main story line has a way to be explained simply. In Hunger Games, a girl is sent into the arena to fight to the death. In Ender's Game, a boy learns to fight the war against the Buggers. In Lord of the Rings, Frodo takes a journey to destroy the one ring.

The more you can figure out how to express your book simply, the more people can figure out whether it is something they want to read. No, it won't give all of the story away, but it is easier to tease potential readers in with tidbits.

Sometimes there are major subplots that also need to be considered in the short pitch, but often the main story line is enough. Perhaps you also want to talk about the relationship aspect of Hunger Games to make it more appealing to those who want to read more romantic pieces.

Always put the best foot forward for your book. I might refer to Twilight playfully as the vampire playing with his food, but that will not have the same impact on readers, agents or editors as the potentially tragic love story between the human and the vegetarian vampire.

Remember the elevator pitch is about the plot. Your character may drive your story, your setting shows it off, and the language you use brings it to life for your book.

Practice taking your favorite books into elevator pitches, then turn those new skills on your own works. It is always good to learn how to be brief. Writers need these skills for query letters, pitches with agents, and talking to readers (and buyers of the books). If at first it feels like you're leaving too much out, keep trying until you find that one main thread that holds the book together.

More Information:
http://www.writing-world.com/publish/pitch2.shtml
http://www.sfwritersu.com/nina-amir/posts/1271-how-to-craft-a-winning-book-pitch...


Editor's Picks

STATIC
Dawn of the Phoenix  (ASR)
Dust and ashes of the earth 'til the moment of rebirth.
#716865 by St. Patrickraken

 The Lost Tale of Shaharazad  (13+)
A story "roughly" in the tradition of the Arabian Nights.
#918728 by Norksquad

 The Fall of Revenants  (E)
professional space dogfighters must deal with a hotshot outsider
#226760 by John~Ashen

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#303766 by Not Available.

 Taking a wife  (18+)
The post-genome family relationships are not strictly governed by historical gender roles.
#597528 by Cinderella

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1860081 by Not Available.

Untitled/unfinished  (E)
A child's three wishes will make you stop and wonder.
#1855176 by writerpenman

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1923112 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1923839 by Not Available.

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B083RZ2C5F
Amazon's Price: $ 19.99
Not currently available.


Ask & Answer

No feedback for this issue. Next time!

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B07K6Z2ZBF
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/5575-The-Elevator-Pitch.html