Writers Information: August 2009

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Pitching Update

A big thanks to those of you who have already given us your choices for who you want to pitch to. We have been able to give you your choices.

If you still want to pitch, please let us know asap (or sooner) who you want to pitch to.
(If you missed this request please click here to re read it)

Please note that there are only 12 slots per publisher so get in quickly if you want the chance of getting your first choice.

Kind regards,
Spinning Gold Team

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Swops Table Update

Thank you to all those who thought they would like to take part in this, It will work like this.

Upon registering your arrival at the venue on Friday, hand over to the Spinning Gold Team your five (or less) swops books.
You will receive a ticket for each book.
At the Swops Table event, Saturday night, you can then exchange a ticket for another book...then you can chase up the authors and illustrators to have them sign the book for you.

Anyone can take part in this, just remember to bring five or less of your books and hand them over when you arrive.

Spinning Gold Team

Pitch Slam

This is your chance to talk to a captive editor or agent. You will have 3 minutes to pitch your fabulous idea/finished book/partly finished book.

Cost: $10 to participate, pay at the conference. (Note: this fee gives you the chance to make several pitches to different editors/agents).

Bookings:
You confirm your booking when you pay at the conference (on a first come, first served basis.) The sessions will run in a similar way to how meet the teachers sessions are run. Each editor/agent will be in individual rooms so it will just be you and that person for 3 minutes. A bell will ring at the end of the time. Please leave on the bell.

Participating Publishers:
Random House
Longacre Press
Scholastic
HarperCollins
Penguin
Mallinson Rendel
Huia

Agents:
Frances Plumpton from Richards Literary Agency, Auckland
Fiona Inglis from Curtis Brown Agency Australia

What to Expect:
The editor/agent will probably not give you any feedback, they may simply say thank you, and that they have your card if they wish to contact you. This is your chance to sell your book, to grab their interest and make them want to know more in which case they will get in touch with you using the details on your card.

What to Bring:
Your business card. That’s all. Nothing else except yourself and your well-polished, practised pitch.

Preparation:
Before the conference check out each publisher’s website to see if they publish the type of book you are pitching. We may have to limit the number of times people can pitch, depending on how many people sign up.

Make sure you have business cards, and bring enough with you.

Practise what you want to say. Cut to the chase and get straight to the point. Sit the family down and make them play the role of editor/agent. Your pitch is going to have a much greater chance of impressing if you have worked it out and practised it beforehand. Time yourself so that you ensure you are able to make the pitch within the timeframe.

Suggested Format:
One concise sentence saying what your book is about.
Say who the intended audience is.
A short synopsis of the plot.
A brief description of the main character.
Say what is special or different about your book.
Say why your book would be a good proposition for them.
Prepare any questions you want to ask.
Ask if there is anything they would like to ask you.

Thank them, and leave when the bell rings.

Writers Information

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Pitching Update

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Swops Table Update

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Pitch Slam

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