Savannah Love
Viewing comments for Chapter 103 "Novel pitch"Can a fallen confederate soldier encourage love?
25 total reviews
Comment from Mastery
Hi, Barbara. After reading this I am a bit confused. Having been throught the publisher -seeking process I found that there is only ONE WAY to approach an agent or a publisher and that is tried and true. Not my idea. A writer has to write a "query letter" no more than one page long. If it is more than onre page it weill go in the "slush pile" and will not even be considered.
In that one page, gthe writer has to BRIEFLY tell the main thrust of the story without detail in the first paragraph. The next psaragraaph they have to tell why they are qualified to write this book and including any credits of other published materials.
And finally summarize all of the above in closing. It should NEVER be addressed to "To Whom It May Concern" or "EDITOR" It must be directed to an individual by name.
There is a book that costs about forty bucks put out by Writer's Digest. It's called "Marketing Guide For Writers." In ther ethey list every publisher and agent in the business and what requirements they have in order to accept a submission from a writer. In the front of that book there are sample query letters for both fiction and non-fiction writing. (Step by step)
I submiitted 263 query letters for my first novel "Fatal Beauty" before I got four bites. Just four. All the rest were either rejections out of hand or no response. I finally lucked out and got my publisher.
Yhe reason I am telling you this, is I wanted to help you before you submit something like this posting and made a big mistake.
Good Luck. If I can be of any furhte rhelp, let me know please. Blessings, Bob
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reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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Hi, Barbara. After reading this I am a bit confused. Having been throught the publisher -seeking process I found that there is only ONE WAY to approach an agent or a publisher and that is tried and true. Not my idea. A writer has to write a "query letter" no more than one page long. If it is more than onre page it weill go in the "slush pile" and will not even be considered.
In that one page, gthe writer has to BRIEFLY tell the main thrust of the story without detail in the first paragraph. The next psaragraaph they have to tell why they are qualified to write this book and including any credits of other published materials.
And finally summarize all of the above in closing. It should NEVER be addressed to "To Whom It May Concern" or "EDITOR" It must be directed to an individual by name.
There is a book that costs about forty bucks put out by Writer's Digest. It's called "Marketing Guide For Writers." In ther ethey list every publisher and agent in the business and what requirements they have in order to accept a submission from a writer. In the front of that book there are sample query letters for both fiction and non-fiction writing. (Step by step)
I submiitted 263 query letters for my first novel "Fatal Beauty" before I got four bites. Just four. All the rest were either rejections out of hand or no response. I finally lucked out and got my publisher.
Yhe reason I am telling you this, is I wanted to help you before you submit something like this posting and made a big mistake.
Good Luck. If I can be of any furhte rhelp, let me know please. Blessings, Bob
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 25-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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I've already contacted them and have now been task to write a 150 to 200 word pitch and a hook for the back. I'm not kidding. This is exactly what they said. With my previous publisher I didn't have to do this. I can't use her anymore. She died. Now I have got my foot in the with this one.
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Never heard of such a thing. Mind if I ask you who the publisher is? I don't mind telling you mine. I wasn't aware you were pblished. I thought yo were sdelf-published with the help of a concerned publisher. Bob
Comment from Ulla
Hi Barbara, The theme of the novel sounds great to me. I think, however, your pitch could have a little more 'bite'. I have no experience in this but maybe enclose a punch line from the actual book could be a good idea. It's the best. I can come up with. Good luck to you. All the best. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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Hi Barbara, The theme of the novel sounds great to me. I think, however, your pitch could have a little more 'bite'. I have no experience in this but maybe enclose a punch line from the actual book could be a good idea. It's the best. I can come up with. Good luck to you. All the best. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 25-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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Thank you. I will search one out.
Comment from c_lucas
The book is part history/part modern times. This is very well written and deserves to be publish. You did an excellent job with this. Good luck in your marketing endeavors.
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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The book is part history/part modern times. This is very well written and deserves to be publish. You did an excellent job with this. Good luck in your marketing endeavors.
Comment Written 25-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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Thank you, one reviewer found a site for me. I guess it falls into the romantic suspense category.
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I'm glad.
Comment from Sis Cat
I remember when I reviewed an earlier draft of your pitch. While I do not have experience writing them, I do feet that pitches must grab the editor and reader and encourage them to read more. You wrote a synopsis of your novel, but not a compelling sales pitch. The pitch should also give the editor or reader a taste of your writing style to be found in your novel. In your pitch, the story is there but not the style. I read your pitch closely and those of books which have been published because I will have to pitch a novel of my own someday.
Thank you for sharing. I wish you success in your pitch.
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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I remember when I reviewed an earlier draft of your pitch. While I do not have experience writing them, I do feet that pitches must grab the editor and reader and encourage them to read more. You wrote a synopsis of your novel, but not a compelling sales pitch. The pitch should also give the editor or reader a taste of your writing style to be found in your novel. In your pitch, the story is there but not the style. I read your pitch closely and those of books which have been published because I will have to pitch a novel of my own someday.
Thank you for sharing. I wish you success in your pitch.
Comment Written 25-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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Thank you. I will go back to the writing table.
Comment from ciliverde
I can't help you with the "back page" stuff - it sounds good to me, but I'm not the expert on these things. I think the novel sounds great, with a love interest of course, and the humorous touch of Cash's attempt to logically explain things...and the South -vs- North rivalry of course. I assume there will be dogs in the story(??) I hope so!
Carol
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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I can't help you with the "back page" stuff - it sounds good to me, but I'm not the expert on these things. I think the novel sounds great, with a love interest of course, and the humorous touch of Cash's attempt to logically explain things...and the South -vs- North rivalry of course. I assume there will be dogs in the story(??) I hope so!
Carol
Comment Written 25-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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I have already written this book and posted it on FS a few years ago. There was a dog, Morgan and he was a chocolate Labrador. LOL Thank you.
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Maybe you will write one with cattledogs one of these days? Lol - that's my favorite breed, Australian Cattledog - we have three of them, all rescues. Our babies!
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They are gorgeous and very active dogs. A neighbor had one and he kept herding my son.
Comment from Jay Squires
I'm glad you're trying to find a home for this book. I always enjoyed reading it. Good luck with it. Here are a few suggestions for you:
The mansion's burglarized numerous times [I understand what you are doing here by contracting "mansion" with "is," but it stalls the eye which tries to make it possessive instead, but without the object forthcoming. In other words, it can be figured out, but for the saving of one word, is it worth it? Just a suggestion.
somebody wants the rumored hidden Civil War/pirate treasure as well as Paige evicted. [... treasure (,) as well as (having) Paige evicted. You probably don't need the comma, unless you agree that you need the "having" included. Without adding the "having," though, it could be construed that someone wanted the treasure evicted. Does that make sense?]
Once again, Barbara, I wish you the best of luck with getting it published.
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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I'm glad you're trying to find a home for this book. I always enjoyed reading it. Good luck with it. Here are a few suggestions for you:
The mansion's burglarized numerous times [I understand what you are doing here by contracting "mansion" with "is," but it stalls the eye which tries to make it possessive instead, but without the object forthcoming. In other words, it can be figured out, but for the saving of one word, is it worth it? Just a suggestion.
somebody wants the rumored hidden Civil War/pirate treasure as well as Paige evicted. [... treasure (,) as well as (having) Paige evicted. You probably don't need the comma, unless you agree that you need the "having" included. Without adding the "having," though, it could be construed that someone wanted the treasure evicted. Does that make sense?]
Once again, Barbara, I wish you the best of luck with getting it published.
Comment Written 25-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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I have made the changes in my copy. I appreciate the help. I value your input. This is my new sentence. The mansion is burglarized numerous times and it becomes evident somebody wants the rumored hidden Civil War/pirate treasure. Paige stands in the way. Is it okay?
Comment from royowen
I look forward to this new novel Barbara, the characters particularly the ghost should spice it up a little, and of course I look forward to the sassy people you to weave into a great plot. Well done, blessings, Roy
Typo the secrets (hiding, suggests people) hidden?
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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I look forward to this new novel Barbara, the characters particularly the ghost should spice it up a little, and of course I look forward to the sassy people you to weave into a great plot. Well done, blessings, Roy
Typo the secrets (hiding, suggests people) hidden?
Comment Written 25-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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Thank you for the catch. I have made the correction. I have already written and posted this story on FS a few years ago.
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Thanks for the explanation,
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Good plot idea, and you'll have no trouble writing it. I can't write blurbs... have to learn that trick myself, but good luck! :)
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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Good plot idea, and you'll have no trouble writing it. I can't write blurbs... have to learn that trick myself, but good luck! :)
Comment Written 25-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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I already wrote this novel and had posted it a few years ago on FS. Thank you.
Comment from judiverse
I was really a fan of Savannah Love. If I may, here are a few suggestions. In your first sentence, you might classify instead of using generic novel. (Romance? Mystery? How would you classify it.?) Last sentence in paragraph 2, you might work on the last sentence and make it less wordy. Maybe something like "someone wants the hidden Civil War/pirate treasure--and Paige stands in the way." Fourth paragraph, "induct" doesn't seem quite the right word. Maybe "adapt to Southern life." In your back-cover I'd try to avoid passive. Maybe something like: To tourists, Savannah is charming, captivating, and graceful. However, it has a mysterious dark side, as Paige discovers after she inherits an antebellum mansion. Also, instead of finding, maybe "While discovering." So glad you're working on getting this published. A story that I really liked. I hope I've offered something helpful. judi
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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I was really a fan of Savannah Love. If I may, here are a few suggestions. In your first sentence, you might classify instead of using generic novel. (Romance? Mystery? How would you classify it.?) Last sentence in paragraph 2, you might work on the last sentence and make it less wordy. Maybe something like "someone wants the hidden Civil War/pirate treasure--and Paige stands in the way." Fourth paragraph, "induct" doesn't seem quite the right word. Maybe "adapt to Southern life." In your back-cover I'd try to avoid passive. Maybe something like: To tourists, Savannah is charming, captivating, and graceful. However, it has a mysterious dark side, as Paige discovers after she inherits an antebellum mansion. Also, instead of finding, maybe "While discovering." So glad you're working on getting this published. A story that I really liked. I hope I've offered something helpful. judi
Comment Written 25-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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Thank you so much. This is exactly what I needed. My problem with classifying Savannah in a genre, is I can't figure out which genre to put it in. I figured it was a romance, but I have been corrected on that.
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You're very welcome. I don't know who advised you that your work wasn't a romance. Romances do not have to be torrid, bodice-ripping tales with Fabio on the cover. Let your editor make the determination. judi
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Good idea
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Hi, Barbara. Check out Anne Marble's article on "The Subgenres of Romance" on Writing-World.com. I think your work fits the Romantic Suspense category very nicely. judi
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Thank you, you're wonderful. I took our contemporary and put in romantic suspense.
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That might grab the attention of both romance and suspense fans. Hope that helped. judi
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it sure did
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Hi Barbara, I do like your pitch, it's great. I have to write something similar for my book, it's so hard to do. I have read yours with great interest, because it really does make me want to read the story. Can I ask who your publisher is? I haven't a clue how to go about finding one, and I'd like to try that route first. Good luck, my friend, I hope it all works out well for you. I want to see it on the shelves so I can buy it. :) xxx Sandra
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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Hi Barbara, I do like your pitch, it's great. I have to write something similar for my book, it's so hard to do. I have read yours with great interest, because it really does make me want to read the story. Can I ask who your publisher is? I haven't a clue how to go about finding one, and I'd like to try that route first. Good luck, my friend, I hope it all works out well for you. I want to see it on the shelves so I can buy it. :) xxx Sandra
Comment Written 25-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2017
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Thank you for the help.
