P Is For Pitching

Jennifer pitched at the writer’s conference this weekend...

So I’ve been in somewhat of a rut recently. You know the one, where as a writer, you look at everything you’re doing or not doing and find fault? You’re convinced that you’ll never get anywhere and no one will like your stuff. I was ready to crawl into a hole and give up.

But then the NJ chapter of the Romance Writers of America held their annual writers conference. Everyone I knew was going. My critique partners were even involved with running it (and they did an amazing job, but I’m getting ahead of myself). And I wasn’t planning on going. Because, you know, my rut.

Until a writer I admire, who is way more successful than anyone I know (think almost a Nora Roberts kind of success), and who actually calls me a friend, suggested we meet for coffee. Well, if SHE wants to see me, I should probably think about going.

So I signed up.

And then my critique partner, who was arranging the editor and agent appointments, told me she’d help me get good appointments if I wanted to pitch. I didn’t. But my nagging muse kept whispering that I should.

So I picked a few editors and agents.

And then my critique partner changed them for me and gave me some really great ones based on what I write, helped me with my pitch, and put me at the lunch table with other editors and agents. Seriously, how can I say no after that?

Well crap. I haven’t pitched at a conference in years. I don’t like putting myself out there. But I had to. Everyone was super nice, although honestly, all the volunteers who tried to keep us from being nervous by telling us not to be nervous, made me a little nervous (but their dancing and peppy attitudes were hilarious).

But I pitched to an editor and an agent, both of whom loved what I pitched and asked for more. So I’m doing one last round of edits, because you can never edit too much, and then I’m submitting. My goal is to have it done by the end of this month.

And my writer friend and I never got around to having that coffee--but we did give each other hugs.

Here’s hoping for good news soon!