How to Write a Pitch for Your Novel: A Comprehensive Guide
Pitching your novel is one of the most crucial steps in the journey from manuscript to publication. A pitch needs to capture the attention of agents and publishers, and eventually booksellers and readers. But how do you distil an entire novel into a few sentences or paragraphs? The answer lies in understanding your novel, its place in the market and the purpose of pitching itself. Publishing lives and breathes pitching. Everyone does it: agents, editors to their colleagues, sales teams to Barnes & Noble or Waterstones, publicists to book reviewers. And you have to do it too.
The Purpose of Pitching
At its core, a pitch is a concise summary of your novel. But it is not just a summary. It serves to intrigue potential readers. It can be your book’s “elevator pitch” —that brief, impactful splurge of words that make the recipient want to know more. A pitch is often used in query letters to literary agents or publishers, pitches at any kind of meeting about you or your book, marketing materials, Goodreads, on Amazon, etc, etc.
Pitches come in two primary forms:
The Short Pitch ("elevator pitch"): A summary of your novel’s core premise and hook in a few sentences.
The Long Pitch: A more detailed summary, often a paragraph or two, that elaborates on the story’s key elements, market position, reader type/genre, etc.
Why Is a Pitch Important?
Your pitch is your novel’s first impression. It’s what hooks an agent or publisher and convinces them that your story is worth their time. A strong pitch demonstrates:
Clarity: You understand your story’s core premise and themes.
Marketability: Your novel has a compelling hook and a clear target audience.
Professionalism: You can present your work confidently and concisely.
Before you can write your pitch, break your story down into its fundamental components:
1. Who is your protagonist, and why do we care about them?
2. What is the central quest, and what one or two dramatic events (usually in the first half of the novel) defines it?
3. What is the setting?
4. What is the hook, the unique element that sets your novel apart?
5. What is the tone? Is it funny, dark, cozy, feelgood?
Once you’ve clarified these elements, you’ll be ready to start crafting your pitch.
Structure a short pitch like this, across one or two sentences. Spend time thinking about this, and really boil it down, cutting anything extraneous.
Introduce the Protagonist
State the Conflict
Add the Hook
Examples Of Short Pitches
1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
When the fiercely independent Elizabeth Bennet meets the aloof and enigmatic Mr. Darcy, their initial disdain for one another transforms into an unexpected love story. Amid societal pressures and misunderstandings, they must confront their own prejudices to find happiness together.
2. 1984 by George Orwell
In a dystopian society where the Party controls everything, including thought, Winston Smith dares to seek truth and love in defiance of oppressive surveillance. His rebellion leads to a chilling confrontation with the terrifying power of Big Brother.
3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Nick Carraway recounts the tragic pursuit of the American Dream through his enigmatic neighbor, Jay Gatsby, whose obsession with reclaiming a lost love drives him to incredible heights—and devastating ruin, set against the glittering decadence of the Jazz Age.
You may think you can write better pitches for these novels. Then go ahead: try. It’s a great exercise.
Develop Your Long Pitch
A long pitch, typically used in query letters or written proposals, provides a bit more detail about your story while maintaining the intrigue of the short pitch.
How to Structure an Long Pitch
Start with the Hook: Open with a compelling statement or question that grabs attention.
Expand on the Protagonist and Conflict: Provide more details about the main character(s) and their challenges.
Set the Stage: Offer a glimpse of the setting or unique elements of your world.
Raise the Stakes: Make it clear what’s at risk for the protagonist.
End with a Cliffhanger: Leave the reader wanting to know how the story unfolds. Do not reveal the outcome, the reveal, of your novel. Rather, let the reader know that something amazing, exciting, meaningful is going to happen, and leave them wanting to find out what.
Long Pitch for Pride And Prejudice
Extended Pitch for Pride and Prejudice
What happens when two people from vastly different worlds, bound by their own pride and prejudices, find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other? Elizabeth Bennet is intelligent, spirited, and determined to marry for love rather than wealth, a rarity in 19th-century England. When she meets the wealthy but aloof Mr. Darcy, his initial arrogance and her quick judgment ignite a mutual dislike. But as misunderstandings and hidden truths unravel, Elizabeth discovers that Darcy’s reserved demeanor hides a depth of feeling she never anticipated, forcing her to question her own assumptions about love, class, and herself.
Set in the picturesque countryside of Regency-era England, the story unfolds in a world where a young woman's entire future can hinge on a single dance or a whispered word at a dinner party. Can Elizabeth and Darcy rise above their own flaws and the constraints of their world to embrace an extraordinary love that defies all expectations? Or will their stubborn pride and the meddling of others ensure they remain forever apart? Their journey is one of transformation, but the ultimate question remains: will love conquer all?
Think you can do better? Go ahead: try. Even better: do the same for your book.
Right Pitch For The Right Audience
For Agents and Publishers
Highlight the commercial/market appeal of your novel.
Mention comparable titles or authors to show where your book fits in the market.
Be professional and confident.
For Readers
Focus on the emotional, literary or entertainment value of your story.
Emphasize elements that resonate with your target audience.
Keep the tone conversational and engaging. Make people want to read it and want to read you.
For Promotional Or Networking Events
Prepare both a short pitch and an extended pitch.
Learn them and practice delivering your pitch verbally.
Be ready to answer follow-up questions not just about your book, but about you and your writing ambitions.
Common Pitch Mistakes
Being Too Vague
But Also Overloading with Details
Using Clichés And Generic Phrases
Being Unclear About the Market And Genre
Being Either Too Timid or Too Arrogant – people have to want to work with you!
Refine and Revise
Writing a strong pitch takes time and effort. Write multiple drafts and seek feedback if possible. Practice delivering your pitch out loud. You never know when an agent or editor will call you and suddenly ask you to talk you through their book, and not have your original pitch in front of them! It is moments like this when knowing your pitch matters.
How To Write A Novel Chapter By Chapter available here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Novel-Chapter-Outlining-ebook/dp/B0DJ8TMVWL?ref_=ast_author_mpb
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