AgentFest!
I’m going to AgentFest!
What’s AgentFest, you ask? It’s part of the International Thriller Writers Annual Conference Extravaganza for both readers and writers. AgentFest is part of the CraftFest package, where you attend panels and discussions on publishing and the craft of writing. AgentFest on its own is an afternoon where writers essentially speed date with agents, about 40 of them. You stand in line for the agent you want to pitch, and when it’s your turn, you’ve got three minutes to get their attention before the bell dings for the next speed dater/pitcher. All this happens over the course of about 3 hours. You get to pitch as many agents as you can during that time. I’ve got a core of about five picked out, but I won’t stop there if I have time.
I am incredibly nervous but excited nonetheless. This will be the first time I’ve ever pitched a project in person. It will be interesting to see how it goes, hear feedback, and…get a request for materials? *Crosses fingers* Like I’ve heard a million times before…there are two ways writers in the slush pile get agents. 1. Good ole querying. 2. Pitching at conferences. It’s a long shot getting an agent at a conference, but so is querying. So, I’m going to try it out.
That being said, I’m opening the floor for advice. Has anyone pitched an agent at a conference? If so, any words of advice/encouragement, etc? I’m trying to come up with my pitch. Is it to be similar to a query letter? Inquiring minds would like to know.
Filed under: agents, classes, conferences, publishing, writing
Rachelle Gardner, an agent who works in a different genre had a great post about the short agent pitch the other day. It has notes about the one sheet, the questions to know the answers to, a sketch of the pitch, etc. You won’t be able to fit it all into 3 minutes, but this will really help prepare you.
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2008/07/secrets-for-making-great-pitch.html
I haven’t gotten to the “Meeting Agents” phase yet, but I’ve been on both sides of the table at various conferences, conventions and expos, so my advice might actually be helpful.
I think it might be best to keep things simple at AgentFest. Get some face-time with the agent-type people and, if they seem interested, query them post-Fest–that way they’ll be able to put a face to the name on the manuscript.
Just a thought.
(You could also read this for inspiration: http://www.jim-butcher.com/jim/ )
Thanks!
@Xdpaul: That link was actually very helpful. I’m using it to prepare some materials to take with me.
@Dan: That post from Jim was so inspirational. That guys rocks.