Sell Your Story. Sell Yourself.

For aspiring writers, this unique feature of the conference gives you the chance to get in front of literary agents specific to your genre. It gives you the chance to introduce, pitch and sell your story. With agents representing every genre, you have absolute control over who you’d like to interact with. Make your list, and you’ll get 90 seconds to pitch your work -- fiction or non-fiction.

After, you’ll get immediate feedback from the agent; enthusiasm for the idea, suggestions for improvement, or who knows... maybe even representation and a book contract. When your time with that particular agent is up, you’ll move on to the next. High-energy and as real as it gets, Pitch-Slam is one of the most invaluable aspects of this conference. After participating in the Pitch-Slam, you will have:
  • Immediate feedback on your story by real agents with experience in your genre
  • Tips on various ways to improve your storyline and the pitch
  • One-on-one connections with agents and/or editors
  • The opportunity to land representation and get published!
Bring your pitch. Move your story forward. Build a career.
 

Tips for Pitch Slam Success

  • Do your research. There will be more than 20 agents eager to meet new writers at the Pitch Slam. Some of them will be a better fit for your writing than others, so be sure to study the list of agents you’ll receive before the conference, and target only those who represent the kind of writing you do. Even better, look for agents who represent authors you particularly admire and emulate; you’ll know those agents share your taste in writing and are more likely to be a good fit.
  • Practice your pitch ahead of time. If you’ve never had to develop a pitch or “elevator speech” for your writing, this is a great opportunity to develop a succinct, compelling description of what makes your work unique and desirable. Write it out, and then practice your pitch with a timer to make sure you stay within the 90-second limit. The time enforcers at the Pitch Slam will be strict!
  • Give your nerves the heave-ho. If the idea of pitching your work to agents makes you nervous, remember that the agents at the Pitch Slam are just people, each with his or her own tastes in writing. One person’s rejection only means you’re that much closer to finding the right fit for you. By the end of the event, your jitters will be history and you’ll be an expert at extolling the virtues of your work.
  • Get expert pitching advice. Don't miss the Crafting the Perfect Pitch session on Friday. You’ll hear tips for honing your pitch and being more comfortable with presenting, and get the confidence you need to make a great impression.