How to Pitch a Manuscript, CORRECTLY

There's a great blog post about pitching. But in light of recent blog posts, I must say that this real-life occurrence sums it up quite nicely.

First, you must get to know Brooks. He's a former minion for Janet Reid and is currently Assistant to the Executive Managing Editor at Henry Holt and Company.

He also runs an "independent satirical web site dedicated to fighting THE ONION's unethical monopoly on reporting the fake news" called THE GARLIC PRESS.





So yesterday....literally two minutes after I post my blog on what I'd like to see in the slush pile, I see a Google IM pop up. This is copied/pasted from the convo:


Brooks: "I have a cyberpunk thriller romance that is set in an anachronistic technologically advanced 1950s NYC, entitled ROBOTO & JULIET. It's a strong first-person narration by Roboto, a 17-year-old cyborg."

Me: **dies laughing at my desk. scrambles for the keyboard.** "DONE! SEND IT!"

Brooks: "In the end, the apocalypse happens. I have one sentence. Would you like to see it?"

Me: **now thinks I should probably stop trying to drink orange juice for fear of dying by choking on liquid** "NOW"

Brooks: "Kathleen was the bossest Betty around. Even for a fullskin. All the other borgboys agreed. But, since she wasn't interested, I set my cybernetic eyes on Juliet instead."

Me: **officially can't breathe...add on to the fact that I can't breath out of my nose because I'm sick and alas...my clients are now agentless because my dead body is just lying there next to my desk.**

Brooks: "I want six figures for this, with a promise to publish my second book, a collection of erotic poems for toddlers."


For the record...I'm holding him to this concept....I want this book. Like...NOW.

**presses the inbox refresh button repeatedly**  

This is also, by far, one of the BEST examples of a pitch I've EVER seen!

Short. To the point. I know what the story is about. Only thing missing is a word count (and the fact that the manuscript isn't complete).

Seriously, though, this is exactly what a pitch should be like when you pitch to an agent at a conference. It's NOT a query. Bravo, Brooks. BRAVO!

(Michelle Hodkin also blogged about this.)




~KO

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Updated: What I'd Love to See in the Inbox

I just finished going through several partials and queries and thought I'd take a moment to sort of revamp my list of what I'm looking to sign.

A lot of what I'm seeing is basically a story that's already been written, plopped in a different setting with different  character names.

Please note that I'm open to all YA, MG, chapter books, adult romance and non-fiction; however, this is a list of what I REALLY want to see:
Young Adult
- Still looking for that YA romance from a male POV; dual POVs is fine, but the male POV has to be super realistic. Genre doesn't matter -- contemporary, sci-fi, fantasy, you name it. Male POV romance.

- Some type of cyberpunk-ish book. Something beyond TERMINATOR or MATRIX -- something that's tech-heavy yet still awesome and suspenseful.

- Thriller -- but something that's just beyond a heist or kidnapping (seeing lots of those). In order (imho) for a thriller to really work, it needs to be complex with several layers yet still with a strong vein of MC plot.

- a historical romance -- I know, you're probably like, "huh?" But I do think a YA historical romance with a strong commercial hook could do quite well. Think outside the box on this one -- I want scenery that's a little familiar yet not overdone. Think outside WWI, WWII, knights of the round table, etc.

- Apocalyptic -- not pre- or post- but actual apocalypse. The scenery is the world itself coming to an end -- something beyond a bunch of meteors falling. And definitely not 2012.


Middle Grade
- an adventure story, whether it's in our world or a fantasy one

- something with travel--new places/scenery

- a strong boy book, but something beyond 'best friends'. I'm seeing a lot of that in the slush.

- something with a technology slant -- not that it has to be written in Facebook speak...

- a steampunk middle grade


Adult romance
As long as it's unique with a strong, female heroine, I'm open to all paranormal, urban fantasy (darker, the better) and contemporary romance novels.

Women's fiction
As long as it's unique, I'm open to all contemporary women's fiction.


Non-fiction
- You must have a strong platform / be an expert in your field for me to consider your non-fiction proposal

- Something with a technology slant for teens/young adults

- Something dating related, but beyond "20 Ways to Find a Guy." If it would make for a good magazine article, it's not something I'm looking for, as I need something that works as a book.

- Something with women's issues



You might be wondering, "Hey KO, why so specific with YA, MG and NF but not with women's fiction and romance?"

Because I already have/work with clients who write YA, MG, and NF, and I'm starting to narrow what I"m currently looking for in those specific areas; however, I'm still quite open to romance and women's fiction, as I'd love to sign some authors there.

***Please note that this is just what I'm looking for as an agent. This has nothing to do with my projection on where the market is going or what the next 'big thing' might be. (though if it is and I called it, then huzzah, right? :) )

Questions? Leave 'em below!

~KO

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WD Conference 2011

Just thought I'd post some interesting pics I found from here.

First -- it's kind of weird to see myself being Tweeted in pics by people I don't know....I now know how monkeys feel at the zoo.

I don't know the exact count, but someone said there were 500 and someone else said there were 650. I think there were just short of 60 agents there. This is the pitch slam room before they let the writers in:

That's me in the striped shirt talking with the AH-MAY-ZING Meredith Barnes
That's also my Starbucks cup (Hey, a girl's gotta come prepared)

Then this is the 'after' photo from when they let everyone in the room:

That's Becky in the blue top to the left. Also known as #EvilIntern

So basically tables lined the whole room (note in bottom left corner)
Two agents per table and people just lined up to speak with them.

This is the first conference I've ever been to where they had this type of pitching system: writers line up in front of the agent they want to speak with; they have 3 minutes to pitch; and when the bell goes off, they switch. Sorta like speed dating (I assume). Typically conferences will have authors make appointments with agents; however, this was something new and different that I was happy to try.

I forget the tally (I was making check marks in a notebook), but I think I listened to about 92 pitches total in the 3 hours. I requested seven manuscripts. Not a bad ratio; however, it might have been different had I read the opening pages.

BUT

I'm very optomistic and looking forward to receiving them. *grins*


What's your best conference experience? What would YOU want most from a conference?

~KO

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What Would YOU Want to Hear Me Talk About?

So I'm in the process of finalizing some plans for a few conferences, and one in particular would like me to do a 50-minute intensive session on a topic for writers.

I usually have a whole list of topics; however, they've already been taken. I have a few other ideas, but it's all information that can be found on the web via blogs, Twitter and chat sessions.

So I turn to you, dear blog followers. If you got to sit in a room for 50 min with me, what would YOU want ME to talk about?

~K

Please note that topics regarding my ancestry just don't work, as I'm a tad sensitive to that whole "meteors came to Earth and wiped out everyone except for Barney, the chickens and me." (I mean really, Mother Nature? You HAD to leave Barney and the chickens? The two greatest fears in my life? Thanks.)

Topics already taken
-How to write a YA novel
-Pacing
-Self-Publishing through ebooks
-Platform building
-How to Blog
-How to Tweet
-Market Trends

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Query Update: December '10

As in previous posts, here are some current query numbers (note this is for both agents here at LA):

• Total queries sent from December 1 - 31: 582 (down a little from November)
• Queries sent with an unsolicited attachment (aka - automatic delete unread with no response):24
• Queries which led to requested materials: 24 (Whoa!)

Several of you asked me to keep track of genres, trends, etc -- I can't. Way too time consuming. But what I can do is give you an eyeballed guess of what seemed to be the most popular:

• YA: vampires made a comeback
• MG: time travel
• adult: sci-fi, specifically doctors gone mad
• Several MSS seemed to be on either side of the extreme in regard to word count: i.e. 190,000 words for a YA or 3,000 words for an MG
• Queries received on Christmas day: 7

If you're curious what November's numbers were, click here.


If you missed the 2010 recap, click here.


January already looks like it has more queries...it's only the 7th and just a quick glance shows just over 200 queries.

Can't wait to find something great! :-D

~KO

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Vote for Cordelia Fine's "Neurosexism"!

We need your vote!

Cordelia Fine coined the term 'neurosexism' and it has been chosen as a candidate for "Word of the Year 2010" by Macquarie Dictionary.

If you think that “neurosexism” is a better word than “biocentrism” (yawn) or “active ageing” (actually two words, which seems like cheating to me), then vote for it at the link below, in the Psychology section.

Note: There are MANY words here. If all you want to do is vote for this one, hit CTRL+F, type "neurosexism," click the button next to it to select, scroll down, enter your email and hit 'submit'! That's it! 

 Vote now by clicking here.

The esteemed Cordelia Fine, academic psychologist and writer, has been described as "that rare academic who's also an excellent writer" (Library Journal), a "cognitive neuroscientist with a sharp sense of humour and an intelligent sense of reality" (The Times), "a brilliant feminist critic of the neurosciences" (Times HES) and "a science writer to watch"(Metro).

 

Cordelia's latest book, Delusions of Gender: How our minds, society, and neurosexism create difference was short-listed for the prestigious John Llewellyn Rhys Prize 2010. and was named one of the best non-fiction books of 2010 by The Washington Post. She has been praised by USA Today, The New York Times, The Guardian, The London Times and more. 

Cordelia's first book, A Mind of Its Own: How your brain distorts and deceives, was one of twelve books long-listed for the UK Royal Society Science prize 2007.  Cordelia writes regularly for the press, and wrote the introduction for the Britannica Guide to the Brain. 

Thanks to all who do vote!


~KO

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2010 Roundup

I know everyone did their roundups before the end of the year, but I was working with some pretty awesome people on some pretty awesome manuscripts over the holiday break...and I figured everyone would want TCUHBIP winners posted before a roundup... :)

Ergo, I present to you....

KO's 2010 roundup

 (Note this is only for January 1 - November 30, 2010)

Queries

- Received: 12,819 electronic queries (note that this is for both Barbara and I -- I'll keep track of queries to me in 2011)
*While we read and reply to all paper queries, we don't keep track of how many we receive. If I were to give a rough estimate, it would be about 50 a week which comes out to about 2,600 roughly.

- Of those queries, 356 had an attachment, so they were deleted with no reply / without being read

- Requested partials: 478 (this includes manuscripts I requested for Barbara; total, about 3.7% request rate)
*Note that this does not include requested materials from the conferences I attended. But the number was low on that one -- less than 30, I'm sure. I didn't keep a tally of those.

Partials/Fulls

- Partials that turned into a full request:  87

- Partials I asked for revise/resubmit: 23

- Fulls I asked for revise/resubmit: 6

- Fulls that turned into offers of representation: 7 (5 for me; 2 for Barbara)

- Offers of rep accepted and now a client: 5 (*dances*) (3 for me; 2 for Barbara)

Sales Stats

We only recently started putting sales up on PM -- like around October. 

Figures below are for KO, only.

- My first client sale: a three-book deal to Kensington

- A three-book audio deal and two stand alone title audio sales

- 62 permission sales

- 78 foreign sales

 

I'll still be doing the monthly roundup, and hope to have December ready by the end of this month.

Were there any other statistics you'd like to see in the future? Or on a monthly basis?


~KO

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TCUHBIP Winners!

CONGRATS!

Day 1: Tony Horton book: Meradeth

Day 1: Zumba book: AL Sonnichsen

Day 2: Query Critique from Mandy Hubbard: TinaLynn_

Day 3: Intern Swag Pack: Nicole Zoltack

Day 4: Ten page Critique from Victoria Marini: Liz S.

Day 5: Skype Chat on Social Media/Online Platform w/ KO and Meredith Barnes: @TabbyCatt (Abby Stevens)

Day 6: Romance Prize Pack from Nancy Coffey: Monica Vavra  

 

Day 7: Tor Prize Pack: Jim Hill

 

Day 8: Skype With Liz Jote and KO: Michael G-G (random number generator chose him, I go to his blog, and he wrote SONG about the contest, LOL NICE) 

Day 9: Evaluation of Online Platform: Cory Jackson

 

Day 10: A copy of BALANCING ACTS: Heather (click to see which one b/c I couldn't find a last name)

Day 11: Signed copy of THE DUFF: Ashelynn Sanford

 

Day 12: Mystery Box:

ok, so the mystery box was the only one that wasn't chosen based on a number generator. I chose the answer that was the most creative, and I must say, I couldn't breathe because I was laughing so hard after reading Jon Athmann's entry:

‘Twas the twelfth day of TCUHBIP, and behold, a box of surprise!
For her last day of gifts, KOrtizzle made us guess what’s inside.
The writers frumped and grumped, while rocking unsteady.
“JUST TELL US WHAT IT IS SO WE CAN TWEET IT ALREADY!”
But no-no-no, Miss T-Rex proclaimed.
“If you want what’s inside you will have to entertain.”
So the writers took up their quills and rolled out their sheets,
Trying to come up with a charming idea for the treats.
They floundered and pondered-up ideas for the loot.
“She keeps talking about Mango, so maybe it’s fruit?”
“I hope it’s cash for rent,” one writer said in defense.
“But a box full of meat would make so much more sense.”
The group stared and shunned him with a sigh and a snore.
“What?” he said shyly. “I honestly thought this chick was a dinosaur.”
“I got it!” One screamed as he fought for his turn.
“I bet she packed up and shipped out her #evilintern.”
“That can’t be right.” Someone huffed to exasperate.
“Plus, I heard #evilintern knows how to aparate.”
“What’s the use,” another said with a mouthful of worry.
“She’ll reject my idea just like she did for my query.”
“This is so tiring.” He grumbled through toffee cake.
“Anyone up for a 5-minute coffee break?”
Soon they all came back with caffeine and a jitter.
“Where were we?” “One second, I need to update my Twitter.”
Then they changed their status and twitted like a tweeter.
“Is anyone else sick of tweens trending about Bieber?”
“Of course!” They agreed as they got back on task.
“I bet the surprise is a portrait of Hiccup and a Toothless mask!”
“No-no-no!” They argued profusely.
“We all know it’s an autographed portrait of Gary Busey.”
They were all tired of arguing, and now feeling the aches.
“Can’t we all just agree it’s a box full of cupcakes?”
“YES!” They rejoiced and gave out a cheer.
“Merry Query to all! And to better luck next year! 

 

 

 

 

Winners: Please email me at blog.kortizzle(at)gmail.com with your prize in the subject line and your contact info (address for book winners; email for critique winners). I'll forward your info to the correct person for prize redemption.

Congrats to all! Prizes will be sent out next week if you won a book; if you won a chat, I'll set up a date/time for you; and if you won a critique, please allow the agent through February 1 to get back to you.

Thanks for following and participating! This was great fun!

:)

~KO



**Winners were chosen by adding up Tweets (tracked via bit.ly) and comments and using a random number generator.

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Happy Birthday to Me!

Setting: Florida
Characters: My sister, EMO and the family.
Time: Just before dinner.




EMO: "Hey KO, I have your birthday present!"

KO: "Huzzah!"


EMO: *sets up laptop*


KO: *eyebrow raised*


EMO: *presses button*


KO: *jaw drops*


30 seconds later....


KO: *sniffles*


Five seconds later...

KO: *bursts into tears*


halfway through....

KO: "I'm gonna &%*^ you up, EMO!"


End of video...

KO: "Ok. I won't &%*^ you up. Because that was the nicest thing anyone's ever done."

EMO: Will you post it?!?!??!!


KO: *sighs* *ponders really embarrassing part* *sighs* Yes.








(in the event the video doesn't work, click here)

Thank you to my fabulous clients, Jaime, Dawn, Jenn and Sarah, as well as my ah-may-zing sister EMO!

This was really the best way to round out 2010.

~KO

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Find Me Online

Upcoming Contests / Chats

TBA

Online Sightings

Points of Claire-ification (Agent Interview)
November 2010

YA Highway -- NeoAgent Interview
November 2010

Women on Writing
Summer Flash Fiction Contest 2010

Agent Spotlight
May 2010

Secret Agent
May 2010

Do the Write Thing for Nashville
May 2010

YA Highway Interview
March 2010

Query Blunders
March 2010

Publishing Tips: The Movie
YA Highway - March 2010

Literary Agents Open Up on Twitter
LA Times - January 2010

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Wish List

***Please note that I do not represent the following: screenplays, adult thrillers, adult fantasy, adult sci-fi, memoirs or picture books.***

I'm currently looking for young adult, middle grade, adult romance, and selected non-fiction. While I enjoy a variety of genres, I'd especially love for one of the following to cross my desk:

Young adult:

• I tend to skew toward darker/edgy YA. I'd love to see a YA romance from a male POV. I'm all about an authentic teen voice.
• Still looking for an awesome thriller -- a true thriller with the countdown element and preferably high tech or at least of this world (aka no paranormal elements)
• A story set within another culture, whether it be contemporary or historical, within the US or outside of it -- think a YA version of  MEMOIR OF A GEISHA or ANNA AND THE KING or BLOOD DIAMOND.
• A lovely YA historical with a strong commercial twist -- and by commercial I mean speculative (but not paranormal) or a very strong, suspenseful plot to keep me going.

Middle Grade

• I'm interested in only older MG at this time. 
• Something like a cool, darker twist on LABYRINTH or NEVERENDING STORY (world building, not necessarily 'world in a book') would be fantastic. 

Non-fiction (YA or adult):

• Something different than what's already out there. Not really into "how to find the perfect guy" or "how to apply makeup" or "100 awesome things of being a teen." 
• Anything with technology, pop-culture, entertainment or women's issues is a bonus. 
• You must have a strong platform or be considered an expert in your field for me to consider a non-fiction project.*

Romance: contemporary, urban fantasy or paranormal, only


 *Note that these are just items I'm really hoping cross my desk. I have a variety of tastes, so if you're unsure if it's something for me, feel free to query me anyway once I open back up to submissions.

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Clients

I have a fabulous list of clients, and I'm looking to sign some more! Check out their blogs/Twitter accounts to see what they're up to:

Jaime Reed  -- @Jaime_Reed
Dawn Rae Miller -- @DawnRaeMiller
Sarah Fine -- @FineSarah
Dan Haring -- @DanHaring
Bree Hester -- @BakedBree
Sarah Marino (illustrator) -- @SarahMarino
Patricia Rushford

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Agenting

As a former online editor and interactive designer, I use my experience in online marketing to help authors build their communities and promote themselves and their books. I look past the pages of a story and think of ways to help authors reach more readers so they can interact with the characters and their world.

 

As subrights director, I handle foreign, audio and digital rights for the agency. I have an intimate list of clients, with Jaime Reed's debut YA paranormal romance, LIVING VIOLET, book one of the Cambion Chronicles, coming out by Kensington in January 2012.

 

I am currently closed to submissions (except conference requests) until August 1, 2011.

 

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Conferences (to be updated regularly)

Find Me in 2012

Bologna Children's Bookfair
March 19-22 Bologna, Italy

Houston SCBWI
March 30 - April 1

LDS Storymakers Conference
May 3-5 Provo, Utah

Book Expo America
June 5-7 NYC

Continue to check back for updates. If you'd like me to speak / sit on a panel at a conference, click the contact me link on the left.

Past Conferences

Jubilee Jambalaya Writers' Conference
Houma,LA

CT RWA Fiction Fest
Meriden, CT

Spring Backspace Writers' Conference
New York City

Write On Con
FREE online writers' conference

Rutger's University Council on Children's Literature
Piscataway, NJ

Winter Backspace Writers' Conference
New York City

Writers Digest Writers Conference
NYC

Missouri Writers' Guild Conference
 St. Louis, MO

Writers League of Texas: YA A-Z Conference 

Austin, TX

Northeast Texas Writers Conference
Lake Bob Sandlin, TX

Penn Writers Conference 

Pittsburgh, PA

Book Expo America
NYC

Backspace Writers Conference
NYC

Wisconsin RWA Write TouchConference
Brookfield, WI

Writers League of Texas Conference

Austin, TX

In Your Write Mind Writers Conference
Seton Hill, PA

RWA National Conference
NYC

Midwest Writers Workshop
Muncie, IN

Killer Nashville Conference
Nashville, TN

Surrey International Writers Conference
Surrey, BC


NCTE Annual Convention
Chicago, IL

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About Me

As a former online editor and interactive designer, I use my experience in online marketing to help authors build their communities and promote themselves and their books. I look past the pages of a story and think of ways to help authors reach more readers so they can interact with the characters and their world.

As subrights director, I handle foreign, audio and digital rights for the agency. I have an intimate list of clients, with Jaime Reed's debut YA paranormal romance, LIVING VIOLET, book one of the Cambion Chronicles, coming out by Kensington in January 2012.

I am currently closed to submissions (except conference requests) until August 1, 2011.

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