Question: At a writer’s conference, how do we know when it is okay to pitch our fiction manuscript to an editor or agent? Is the “elevator pitch” really okay to use in an elevator, for example?
Meredith’s Answer:
I think the best thing we all can do for the editors and agents at a conference is to treat them with respect and compassion. Too often, in our enthusiasm, we treat them like prey that we hunt down for our own success.
They are people, and as much as we all want something from them, I really believe that we should see them as valuable human beings first. We shouldn’t use them for our own advancement.
So what this means for a conference setting is that we need to stop and think before we pounce. What is the setting? An elevator is a transition place between the public spaces of a conference and the private spaces of other parts of the hotel. So these folks may be half-way to “off duty.” The publishing professional may be worn out or simply tired of so much human contact. So the best way to treat them is the way you’d treat any other person you have compassion on. Do they look like they want to talk? If so, ask them how their day is going. Be others-centered and not focused on your own wants or needs. If they don’t look like they want to talk, then leave them alone.
A lot of times, if you reach out and show that you can see who they are beyond the tag that says “agent” or “editor,” they will often respond in kind and ask YOU about what you write. This is when that elevator pitch comes in useful. But keep it low key–most of the time they are asking you out of politeness only and are hoping you don’t go crazy on them.
The term “elevator pitch” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s to be used specifically in places like elevators or on the way to the lobby or in other semi-off-duty places. It actually means being able to explain your story in the amount of time it takes for an elevator to go from one stop to the next.
I think if you want to approach an editor or agent between workshops or after a meal, it’s usually okay, but you have to really pay attention to what else is going on for that person. You don’t want to put them in a position where they have to be rude to you because they’re about to be late for a workshop. If it looks like they do have a minute, say, “Do you have a few minutes sometime when I could meet with you?” They will either say yes, and you can work out a good time. Or they will say no, in which case, thank them and be gracious. Or they might say “No, but let’s talk right now.” THAT’s when you give them the “elevator” pitch. That way, you’ve been assertive, but without being pushy or walking all over them. You’ve given them space to say no, and they’ll appreciate that.
The thing is, whether or not they want to hear more or want to meet with you or whatever, a key to this whole publishing experience is relationship. Maybe you won’t get to do a full pitch, but I guarantee if you are kind to the faculty and pub professionals you meet, if you take an interest in them because they are valuable human beings, you will reap the reward of expanding your network and your friendships in the publishing world. And eventually, this might lead to the opportunity to pitch your book.
Even if it doesn’t though, what has more significance in the long run–a book contract or a friendship? (I know you already know the answer, but it makes a great closing question!)
Want to learn more about how to get the most out of a writers conference? Take a look at the Writers Conference Survival Guide!
The Pitching At Writers Conferences by Fiction Workbench, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.