Why Pitch Fests Are Not In The Best Interest Of Authors

Writing organizations and social media groups frequently advertise opportunities to post their pitches in the hopes editors and agents will dive all over the projects. On the surface, this sounds like a great opportunity. One pitch, a ton of prospective buyers. What more could you ask? 

The problem is that the author is not personalizing the pitch. The author is not selling himself or herself. I would also add that when an author is looking for an editor or agent, the author should be looking for the perfect match. Remember, working with editors and agents is a long-term relationship. You will work together to build your career. You pick us. We don't pick you. 

In many ways this is why those job search sites such as Indeed or LinkedIn don't work the way they proclaim. Sites like this argue that you throw that resume out there and employers come running to you. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. Those who find success on sites like this are proactive. THEY reach out to employers. THEY make the initial contact. Not the other way around. 

I would also add that whenever I have done sessions like this, I have found absolutely nothing. I can't make a decision based on this small blurb you put out there. I have no idea what your work ethic is like. I have no clue what the writing is like. I have no idea how experienced you are as an author. 

When you write a true query to an editor or agent, you are giving us A LOT more to work with. We find out about your, other projects you have, more detail on the story and so forth. If we are editors or agents that want a sample of the writing with the initial query, we can get a glimpse of you as an author. When you write this query, you are also taking the time to tell us why you wanted to come to us, how you fit with exactly what we want, and why you are a perfect fit. 

Even with pitch sessions at conferences, we might not get to see the writing, but we can meet you, we can ask questions, we can dig a little deeper.

So, if you think this opportunity, hyped up by a chapter member or organization leader, they are leading you down the wrong path. I will say what I feel like I have been saying a lot this summer. There is no short cut in this business.