Fourth Annual NaNoWriMo Pitchapalooza
You wrote your 50,000 words (or got pretty close!). You’re a winner. You felt the high. Now what are you going to do with your precious manuscript? That’s where we, The Book Doctors, come in.
For those of you not familiar with Pitchapalooza, here’s the skinny: You get 250 words to pitch your book. Twenty-five pitches will be randomly selected from all submissions. We will then critique the pitches online so you get to see what makes a great pitch. We will then choose one winner from the group. The winner will receive an introduction to an agent or publisher appropriate for his/her manuscript. We will also crown a fan favorite who will receive a free one-hour consult with us (worth $250).
Beginning February 7, 2014, you can email your pitch to nanowrimo@thebookdoctors.com. PLEASE DO NOT ATTACH YOUR PITCH, JUST EMBED IT IN THE EMAIL. All pitches must be received by 11:59 PST on March 7, 2014. The 25 random pitches will be posted on March 15, 2014. Winners will be announced on March 31, 2014. Anyone can vote for fan favorite, so get your social media engine running as soon as the pitches go up!
Like last year, we’re offering free 20-minute consultations (worth $100) to anyone who buys a copy of The Essential Guide To Getting Your Book Published. Just attach a copy of your sales receipt to your email and we’ll set up your consultation.
Our first Pitchapalooza winners, Nura Maznavi and Ayesha Mattu, published a book, Love, InshAllah, that is now in its fifth printing. Their new book, Salaam, Love, has just hit the shelves. Then there’s Pitchapalooza winner and NaNoWriMo veteran, Gennifer Albin. After she won Pitchapalooza, one of New York’s top agents sold her dystopian novel in a three-book, six-figure deal. Her second book, Altered, just came out this past fall. Judith Fertig, our latest winner, just signed a two-book deal for a baking-inspired mystery series with Penguin. And these are just a very few of our many success stories!
Are you feeling a little unsure about exactly how to craft your pitch? We’ve got 10 Tips for Pitching:
1. A great pitch is like a poem. Every word counts.
2. Make us fall in love with your hero. Whether you’re writing a novel or memoir, you have to make us root for your flawed but lovable hero.
3. Make us hate your villain. Show us someone unique and dastardly whom we can’t wait to hiss at.
4. Just because your kids love to hear your story at bedtime doesn’t mean you’re automatically qualified to get a publishing deal. So make sure not to include this information in your pitch.
5. If you have any particular expertise that relates to your novel, tell us. Establishing your credentials will help us trust you.
6. Your pitch is your audition to show us what a brilliant writer you are, it has to be the very best of your writing.
7.Don’t make your pitch a book report. Make it sing and soar and amaze.
8. A pitch is like a movie trailer. You start with an incredibly exciting/funny/sexy/romantic/etc. close-up with intense specificity, then you pull back to show the big picture and tell us the themes and broad strokes that build to a climax.
9. Leave us with a cliffhanger. The ideal reaction to a pitch is, “Oh my God, what happens next?”
10. Show us what’s unique, exciting, valuable, awesome, unexpected, about your project, and why it’s comfortable, familiar and proven.
Jess
February 11, 2014 @ 1:51 am
Hello! Just curious…do you have to have a manuscript, or can the pitch be speculative? Thanks!
admin
February 11, 2014 @ 7:13 am
Yes! It can just be at the idea stage.
Natalie
February 11, 2014 @ 5:21 pm
Hi! I have a question, since i’ve never written a pitch before, is there any particular personal info you require in the actual pitch? (eg. address, email?)
admin
February 12, 2014 @ 12:40 pm
Your full name is all we need. Thx!
Rebecca
February 12, 2014 @ 8:48 am
Do you want the pitches as an attachment to the email or written in the email. Also, did you want a little cover letter part or just whack right in with the pitch? Thank you.
admin
February 12, 2014 @ 12:35 pm
No attachments pls! Just in the body of the email. And all we need is the pitch. Thx!
Erica Lisher
February 17, 2014 @ 10:44 am
Will we receive confirmation that our pitch has been received?
admin
February 21, 2014 @ 11:23 am
Yes, Erica. You should get an automatic reply. Let us know if you don’t.
Erica Lisher
February 23, 2014 @ 10:06 am
I still haven’t gotten one 🙁
admin
February 23, 2014 @ 6:16 pm
Hmmm. I just looked up your entry and the automatic reply went through. Check your spam?
Erica Lisher
February 24, 2014 @ 2:23 am
Nothing, but as long as you guys got my entry then all is good 🙂
Jen Winslow
February 17, 2014 @ 4:29 pm
Can you send in more than one pitch?
admin
February 21, 2014 @ 11:22 am
Just one, pls!
Julie Kitzenberger
February 17, 2014 @ 9:55 pm
A Palooza of an opportunity! Just having 8 minutes to meet with David Henry Sterry at the recent SF Writers Conference was amazing.
admin
February 21, 2014 @ 11:22 am
Thank you, thank you, Julie!
petre
February 19, 2014 @ 1:08 pm
can i pitch something else?
🙂
pleeeeeasee?
admin
February 21, 2014 @ 11:22 am
We wish we could say yes, but we gotta keep it to one. Pick your fave!
James Ticknor
February 21, 2014 @ 12:07 am
Thank you guys for hosting Pitchapalooza! It’s a wonderful event, and you guys do really awesome work. I really enjoyed seeing Arielle and David at the James River’s Writer’s Conference; they’re good people.
admin
February 21, 2014 @ 11:21 am
Thx, James! What a nice message, which we really appreciate!
Marion Voytinsky
February 21, 2014 @ 9:25 am
Can we pitch more than once? I have three winner t-shirts in the closet, including Nov 2103.
admin
February 21, 2014 @ 11:19 am
Just give us your best one, please!
Caylee
February 21, 2014 @ 4:49 pm
Wait, can it be just the idea? Do we have to have the manuscript finished (and from nanowrimo?) and ready? What would happen if we won and didn’t have the novel finished?
admin
February 21, 2014 @ 6:12 pm
Idea is fine. If you win, we’ll wait until you finish your manuscript to introduce you to an agent/editor.
Kyara
February 22, 2014 @ 3:13 am
Are we allowed to use a pseudonym?
admin
February 22, 2014 @ 9:29 am
Yes!
Niki Lenz
February 22, 2014 @ 12:42 pm
Should a pitch include what happens in the end, or is it more like what’s written on the back of the novel?
admin
February 22, 2014 @ 1:11 pm
just like what you see on the back or flaps of a book!
DaCosta
February 22, 2014 @ 1:50 pm
Can it be a children’s book?
admin
February 22, 2014 @ 1:51 pm
but of course!
Edwin
February 22, 2014 @ 5:42 pm
Is there a limit on the novel’s word count, or are we submitting only short stories?
admin
February 22, 2014 @ 6:45 pm
You are just submitting the pitch, not the novel or the short story. So there’s no word limit on the novel.
#PitchParty! [Announcement]
February 22, 2014 @ 6:11 pm
[…] many of you probably know, The Book Doctors are hosting their fourth annual NaNoWriMo Pitchapalooza – and pitches are due by March […]
admin
February 22, 2014 @ 6:47 pm
What a great idea!
Mayflower
February 22, 2014 @ 6:57 pm
Can we use our NaNoWriMo summary? What about if we didn’t get anywhere close to winning, and our novel needs serious editing and clean-up done before it’s ready to be sent?
admin
February 22, 2014 @ 7:21 pm
As long as it’s less than 250 words. Doesn’t matter what state your manuscript is in. Just matters how good your pitch is!
NikL
February 22, 2014 @ 7:33 pm
Just to be clear; everyone who enters will be able to read all the other pitches? Or can anyone, entered or not, read them? Also, is there a way to opt out of that? I’d love to submit my pitch, but I really don’t want it out there for all the world to see. Thanks.
admin
February 22, 2014 @ 7:37 pm
We randomly choose only 25 pitches to post. But to win you have to be willing to have your pitch posted because we choose the winner from these 25.
Amy
February 23, 2014 @ 3:47 am
Does it matter what country you’re in? I’m in Scotland so does that mean I don’t qualify?
admin
February 23, 2014 @ 7:28 am
Any and all countries welcome!
Loren Rhoads
February 23, 2014 @ 7:38 am
Does it have to be a novel? I spent last Nanowrimo writing a nonfiction book.
admin
February 23, 2014 @ 9:38 am
I’m afraid it does. But where r u located? Our regular Pitchapalooza is for all categories.
Loren Rhoads
February 24, 2014 @ 11:45 am
I’m in San Francisco. I’ll check out the regular Pitchapalooza. Thanks!
Arjav Shah
February 23, 2014 @ 8:59 am
Is this free? Are there any hidden fees like having to pay for something to be able to send the email?
admin
February 23, 2014 @ 9:39 am
Totally free!
Susan A
February 24, 2014 @ 4:50 pm
This opportunity is beyond amazing! I’ve just sent in my email, waiting for the automatic reply now(:
Good luck to EVERYBODY who entered! I’m hoping that mine is in the top twenty-five, even if it isn’t, everybody else who has theirs in it is completely deserving of it. Once again, good luck everybody!
admin
February 24, 2014 @ 5:37 pm
I don’t know what’s going on with the automatic reply. Some people are getting it and some are not. We’re trying to figure out the situation!
Susan A
February 25, 2014 @ 11:16 am
I got a reply!
Dave
February 25, 2014 @ 7:55 pm
Sorry to stir the dust, but I’m still not certain about the pitch. Does it have to be the official NaNoWriMo entry or can it be another project in progress?
admin
February 25, 2014 @ 8:04 pm
It can be any project so long as it’s a novel.
March Contest Roundup | Sub It Club
February 26, 2014 @ 1:59 am
[…] – 3/7: Fourth Annual NaNoWriMo Pitchapalooza – Pitch your book in 250 words. 25 randomly selected pitches will be critiqued online. One […]
Jaelithe Russ
February 27, 2014 @ 9:45 pm
Hello! Thanks for offering such a wonderful opportunity!
Similar to Erica above, I also did not get an auto reply that my entry was received, and I did check but it’s not in spam. Is there a way to confirm that my entry was received? Thanks!
Jaelithe Russ
February 28, 2014 @ 6:58 pm
My auto reply arrived late this afternoon, while my original comment was awaiting moderation. Thanks again!
admin
March 3, 2014 @ 6:41 pm
Sorry! Just saw this. Ignore last reply!
admin
March 3, 2014 @ 6:41 pm
We got it!
#PitchParty! [Event]
February 28, 2014 @ 3:21 pm
[…] your pitch (as necessary) for The Book Doctors’ NaNoWriMo Pitchapalooza (enter by end of day, March […]
Lize
March 3, 2014 @ 5:56 am
Do my credentials count as part of the 250 words?
admin
March 3, 2014 @ 6:41 pm
Only if you want them to. But all information needs to be in that 250.
Query tips and cool things in writing | Thinking Outside the Books
March 4, 2014 @ 5:52 am
[…] Fourth Annual NaNoWriMo Pitchapaloooza […]
David Paris Singer-Carter
March 4, 2014 @ 6:25 am
Hello; I just sent you my pitch, but I don’t seem to have received an auto-reply; did you receive it?
Kind regards;
David
admin
March 4, 2014 @ 12:28 pm
Go it!
JJ Litke
March 4, 2014 @ 9:15 pm
I didn’t get an automated reply. Should I… do something?
Victoria
March 5, 2014 @ 11:45 pm
I sent my pitch tonight, just in time!
I hope you received it!
Lize
March 6, 2014 @ 12:51 am
Did not get automated message. Just want to check that I am entered.
Thank you
Andrew Giurleo
March 6, 2014 @ 8:34 am
Hi, I submitted my pitch, but I don’t seem to have received a confirmation email? I’ve checked my spam and it’s not there.
Thanks,
Andrew
#PitchParty [Revisions!]
March 6, 2014 @ 12:24 pm
[…] demand, I’ve created a fresh entry so we can post revised pitches last-minute (before the NaNoWriMo Pitchapalooza). If you have no idea what I’m talking about, see the announcement and event […]
Jennifer Chapman
March 6, 2014 @ 2:04 pm
Add me to the list of entrants looking for an auto-reply…I wouldn’t want all that work to go to waste. Thanks!
Jeff Bjune
March 6, 2014 @ 4:35 pm
When I submitted my post the text was indented for each paragraph, but as I reviewed my comment, it isn’t showing that format. I wanted to edit my comment to look more professional. Why did my post show up like that?
admin
March 16, 2014 @ 5:47 am
Hi Jeff, I don’t know why WordPress does this, but no worries.
Kyara
March 7, 2014 @ 5:52 am
Hi, I’ve just sent my pitch in and I haven’t gotten the automatic reply yet. May I ask if it has been received? Thanks!
Carol Ayer
March 7, 2014 @ 6:49 am
Hi,
I, too, didn’t get an automated reply..sent my entry in yesterday afternoon.
Did you get it?
Thanks so much for this opportunity!
Robyn Hoode
March 7, 2014 @ 11:01 am
Hi. I sent my pitch in yesterday evening and still haven’t gotten the automatic reply. Could you check and make sure that you got it? Thank you!
Carol Ayer
March 7, 2014 @ 12:37 pm
Just got my confirmation. Thanks!
Gina
March 7, 2014 @ 1:26 pm
Uh.. I sent mine already, but didn’t get the email? I’m worried about the deadline, so could you please tell me if you got it? Thanks!
Bárbara
March 7, 2014 @ 5:23 pm
Hi, I sent my pitch, but didn’t receive an automatic reply, so I would like to confirm that my pitch has been received and that I’m entered. Thank you!
Jess
March 8, 2014 @ 12:06 am
Thanks for the opportunity to participate! Did you receive my entry?
Lisa
March 8, 2014 @ 1:16 am
Hi there,
Just sent my pitch in and haven’t received my confirmation either.
Hopefully I didn’t submit it too late. :-/
Please confirm if my submission made it in on time….thanks much! 🙂
Clarissa Kae
March 8, 2014 @ 9:44 am
I kept checking (and rechecking) my email last night for the confirmation email (I sent the pitch before the deadline of 11:59 PST). I tried checking my spam/junk folder but no such luck. Any chance you received it?
Madio J
March 8, 2014 @ 3:05 pm
Hello! 🙂 I sent my pitch only about an hour or so before the dead-line, and I haven’t gotten an automatic reply yet. I was just wondering whether it was received or not?
Madio J
March 13, 2014 @ 1:05 pm
Never mind! Just got the reply before my comment was moderated. 🙂
admin
March 16, 2014 @ 5:46 am
great
Stephanie Topp
March 12, 2014 @ 7:01 pm
Hi, I submitted my pitch for the contest but did not receive a confirmation e-mail. I just wanted to check that it was received. Thank you!!
Victoria
March 15, 2014 @ 9:36 am
Where will the 25 random pitches be posted?
Will we be notified by email?
Thanks!
admin
March 16, 2014 @ 5:46 am
They’ve been posted! Check out our blog. That’s where they are.
Catastrophe Jones
March 16, 2014 @ 5:15 am
I sent in my pitch, 3/7/14, but never got an automated response (I didn’t realize I’d been waiting for one until I came back here to check and see if the random picks had been posted, and now I see other people didn’t get a response either) so I have no idea if mine was received, either.
I also don’t see the random picks here or on the NaNoWriMo blog and am not certain if I’m looking in the right place. This seems like such a fun contest; I hope to see more about it soon.
admin
March 16, 2014 @ 5:46 am
We did receive! I see that your entry got grouped with someone else’s, which is why you didn’t get the automated response (gmail can be kookoo). If you click on our blog, the top entry has all the random pitches. They also all follow the top blog individually.
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