Pitch Slapped: How to Make Agents and Editors Fall for Your Book

You’ve got 15 minutes in front of the agent or editor of your dreams to pitch them your manuscript. Five minutes at the dinner table or bar when they sidle up next to you and ask about your story. Sixty fleeting seconds in the proverbial elevator to open a conversation and make them want to know more about you and your story.

Are you able to sum it up in a succinct, engaging description that has them asking to hear more? Can you speak with power and persuasiveness, showing an agent or editor that you know how to help them present you and your work in the most marketable way? Are you ready to field their questions and expand on your story’s hook, summary, and readership, as well as your own strengths and platform, to present an irresistible package that gets them excited?

In this six-hour lively, jam-packed interactive workshop, Talcott Notch literary agent Amy Collins and career book editor Tiffany Yates Martin will show you how to master the art of talking about your writing so people want to read it—how to effectively and persuasively pitch your story and yourself.

With real-world case studies, hands-on demonstrations, and insight from two longtime, experienced publishing-industry pros, you’ll learn what agents and editors are really looking for, and how to craft a summary and pitch that tells them you can deliver it. You’ll gain tips and techniques for engaging with publishers and agents with authenticity and openness, and how to give a confident, convincing delivery (no matter how nervous you may feel!). We’ll even talk about how to handle social interactions outside of a formal pitch session, and how to effectively follow up to heighten an agent’s or editor’s interest.

Tiffany and Amy will lead a live demonstration of a mock-up pitch session—and then it’s your turn. Registrants will have the chance to volunteer to try their pitch with the instructors, including fielding follow-up questions, and participate in class discussions of what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve.

Amy and Tiffany have several decades in the publishing industry between them and worked on literally thousands of manuscripts. Amy has been pitching editors and agents for more than 30 years and has sold hundreds of titles. They know what catches agents’ and editors’ attention and creates enthusiasm, and how to make your pitch stand out from the swarm.  

What authors will learn: 

• The key differences between a pitch and a query letter
• What agents and publishers really want
• Understanding the publishing market and identifying your target audience
• Learning the importance of “Market Viability,” if your book has it and how to best prove it to agents and publishers
• How to research agents and editors, how to determine if they’re a good fit for you, and how to angle your pitch toward what they’re looking for
• How to craft a compelling story hook by identifying your novel’s unique selling points (USP)
• How to structure a persuasive pitch, and balance storytelling with market positioning
• Speaking and presenting techniques to calm your nerves, bolster your confidence, and create a genuine, authentic connection
• How to be prepared for questions and concerns, and turn them into opportunities for deeper engagement
• Techniques for effective follow-up, and how to create impactful follow-up materials: one-sheets, pitch decks, and synopses
• How to maximize mealtimes, parties, and bar encounters with agents and editors
• How to avoid common pitfalls, missteps, and no-nos
• Techniques to become and remain calm when your nerves start to act up

 Who this course is for

• Writers who have never pitched a project
• Authors who want an inside view of what agents and editors are looking for, their turn-offs and turn-ons, and how to make yourself stand out—in a good way
• Authors who have pitched for years and do not seem to be making any headway
• Writers who want to deepen and hone their pitching and presenting skills to get agents and editors excited about them and their story
• Authors who want hands-on examples and demonstrations of how to pitch most effectively and persuasively (and what to avoid)
• Writers who aren’t sure how to sum up their stories in a succinct, impactful, intriguing “elevator pitch”
• Writers who get intimated or anxious when pitching who want to learn how to overcome their nerves and knock it out of the park
• Writers who want expert insight on how to find the right agents and editors to pitch to, and how to customize their pitch to what they’re looking for (without compromising their story)

Supplemental materials

• A step-by-step Story Template to define the heart of your story and help you craft a compelling hook and pitch
• The Pitch Tipsheet: how to keep your cool, authentically connect, pique their interest—and avoid turning agents and editors off
• “How to Find the Best Comps” step-by-step worksheet
• Slide PDFs of presentation

Presenters

With over 30 years in publishing, Amy Collins is an agent at Talcott Notch Literary Services, representing best-selling authors across the fantasy, romance, horror, thrillers, pop-culture, cookbooks and lifestyle genres. Formerly a book buyer, publisher, and sales director, Amy pairs deep market insights with dedication to her clients. A USA TODAY bestselling author herself, her works include It’s the Little Things (Simon & Schuster). She’s often featured in classes and articles by Writer’s Digest and speaks at conferences around the world. To give back to the writing community, Amy manages AgentsHelpingAuthors.com, supporting writers with scholarships and can be found at https://amysadvice.com

Tiffany Yates Martin has spent her entire career as an editor in the publishing industry, working with major publishers and New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning authors as well as indie and newer writers. She is the founder of FoxPrint Editorial (named one of Writer’s Digest’s Best Websites for Authors) and author of Intuitive Editing: A Creative and Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing and her latest, The Intuitive Author: How to Grow & Sustain a Happier Writing Career. She is a regular contributor to writers’ outlets like Writer’s Digest, Jane Friedman, and Writer Unboxed, and a frequent presenter and keynote speaker for writers’ organizations around the world. Under her pen name, Phoebe Fox, she is the author of six novels.

Testimonials for Amy’s classes:

“I found Amy to be savvy about publishing, down-to-earth, and funny as hell.” —Nancy McMillan

“I just want to say how much I have enjoyed this class. Your professional generosity is so refreshing and valuable. I think every single person in our class felt seen and personally guided. I know I certainly have.” —Pam O’Hara

“This class was a gift not only to my career but to my spirit. As a writer who finds pitching and promoting myself anxiety-provoking, I appreciated Amy’s breaking down the intimidating into a plan of small, easily actionable steps. She is a generous teacher who inspires as well as she informs.” —Karen Novak

“This session made me realize I didn’t hate pitching. I just didn’t truly understand its power and how to personalize it to my needs toward those I want to reach. Now I can’t wait to get started.” —Louis. H. Mitchell

Testimonials for Tiffany’s classes:

“I’ll sign up for ANY fiction-related class by Ms. Martin. She’s that good.” —Sandy W.

“Tiffany Yates Martin was absolutely riveting to watch, along with being very knowledgeable. I would have gone to an entire weekend seminar of just her.” —attendee, Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop, 2024

“What a terrific presentation! Couldn’t ask for better content—clear and concise—or better delivery. You have a very engaging, inspiring style. Love the handouts that you shared. Invaluable tools for my tool chest.” —Pamela B.

“By far one of the best lectures I attended at the conference. It gave me a much better understanding of point of view and how to self-edit. I left you a ‘five-star’ rating and review on the survey and subscribed to your newsletter. Thank you very much for all the useful information and tools for my ‘Writer’s Toolkit’ and certainly hope to see you again at another conference.” —Jason C.