The Pitch

All too often, I have read a book proposal or query letter and had no idea what the book was actually going to be about by the end of the first page. Reader, let me assure you: I did not press on to page four where this mystery might have been resolved. Editors, agents, and their overworked assistants do not have time to read a beautifully-crafted but long-winded description of what your book will not be about, or what inspired you to write it, or the setting….

What you really need is the written equivalent of an elevator pitch. You must clearly and concisely articulate your book’s subject before we reach the lobby. Or, as another editor I consulted put it:

“Even if [authors] plan to take a more literary approach in the manuscript itself, a proposal should tell me—in as straightforward and honest a fashion as possible—what the thing is about, ideally in an introductory couple of sentences.”

With this in mind, this week we offer the proposal writing exercise:

Without using any existing language from your manuscript (don’t even peek at it), describe your book’s subject or storyline in no more than three sentences (bonus points for pulling this off in one). Your aim is for these to be simple, straightforward sentences. No quotes, references to other works, or jargon permitted. If you’re feeling overly ambitious, craft an opening paragraph around these three sentences that will make your future editor swoon.