The Writer's Connection(sm),
a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach(sm)

"The Creative Process of Writing is a
Liberating and Therapeutic Experience"

virtualwritingcoach.com
December 2003

In This Issue:

1. Preview
2. Publisher's Note
3. Pitching to an Agent
4. Getting into Action


1. Preview

The Writer's Connection explores the creative process of writing and the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and actions. We are an interactive community of authors and readers who share ideas to enhance our knowledge, skills, and experiences in writing fiction in any genre, but our emphasis remains mystery and suspense thrillers.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers writing tips for authors, coaching suggestions, editing, and marketing information.

Topics are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton and represent only his ideas on producing your first manuscript, and are provided to the general public. Because we are an interactive community of writers, other viewpoints are welcomed and may be printed in future monthly newsletters with permission from Keith Barton.

2. Publisher's Note

December, 2003

Dear Writer's Connection Subscriber,

This month we will discuss how to pitch your book to an agent.

3. Pitching to an Agent

Unless we are lucky enough to pitch our book in person to an agent at a writer's conference, we must resort to the "query letter." The query letter can be a daunting task, because we have to sell the book and ourselves. How does one condense 300 pages to a single-spaced, one-page description of the last six months of our writing life? Deborah Herman, a noted literary agent herself tells us in her chapter, "Write the Perfect Query Letter," in her husband's book, Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents, by Jeff Herman.

The query letter is the agent's first contact with you, the writer. Like first impressions, the way you compose your letter represents who you are: your professional demeanor, use of language, self-esteem as a writer, and how you to propose to market your book, if you're one of the two percent lucky enough to receive a contract from an agent who will pitch your book for you to the major publishing houses.

Your lead is your hook. Don't overstate the significance of your book. Agents receive hundreds of requests a week from would-be authors who want to become a published author and see their book on the shelves of national bookstore chains. A quiet, reserved, yet clever beginning will catch the eye of most agents. Begin with your strongest sentence and save the details and facts till later. As Herman aptly states, "avoid bad jokes, clichés, unsubstantiated claims, and dictionary definitions. Don't be condescending, cute, pedantic, and self-serving.

Supporting Material: Be Persuasive. You should include a few lines about why the publishing world would appreciate your book. This is where you include your marketing ideas and how you intend to help the publisher market your book. Remember that few publishing dollars exist for first-time authors. Figure on a dollar per book devoted to marketing. With average first printings of 5,000 copies, that's not much money to devote to a national or regional campaign.

Your Biography is No Place for Modesty. You should list all past publications whether they are magazine articles, research articles, book chapters, or short stories. If you have unpublished material, list this as well. Print clippings, book reviews, and testimonials should also be included. Don't be afraid to sell yourself. If you're lacking in self-confidence, then get a friend to write this piece for you.

Here's the Pitch. Think of your pitch as an elevator speech. Pretend you meet someone by chance on the elevator and they ask what you do. You've got 15 seconds to sell them on your book and you as a confident writer.

Presentation is Important. Use a letterhead with a logo on white, 24-count white paper with one-inch margins. Use a black ink laser printer. No typos and grammatical errors are permitted.

If you're one of the few to be able to pitch your book directly to an agent, you'll generally have 10 minutes to convince the person across the table that they should read the first fifty pages of your novel. Physical presentation is important. Be professional and introduce yourself by stating your qualifications as an author or writer. Look directly at the agent when pitching your book. Don't slouch, drink, or eat while talking. If you're not passionate about your book, then neither will the agent be excited about your offering to the reading public. Be sure to thank the agent for his/her time and if you're one of the lucky ones to send a couple of chapters, then be sure to reference your meeting in your cover letter. Be sure to include any awards, news clippings, and past reviews from your current project or prior publications. Also indicate your willingness to help the agent in marketing your first book. This includes answering all correspondence from your agent, preferably by email. Do not call your agent unless he or she asks to be called. Agents are very busy, reading 100 manuscripts a week and they are not keen on interruptions.

Next month we will discuss how to work with your agent once your book is accepted for representation.

4. Getting into Action

"Getting in to Action" is a monthly feature of The Writer's Connection. In this section of our Newsletter, we will discuss action steps the writer can take to improved his/her knowledge base in writing novels.

This month's recommendations:


1. Read Jeff Herman's latest edition of his guide to literary agents. Look particularly at what agents want in their "perfect client." Also be sure to review what manuscripts have been published in the last two years.



2. Practice writing a one-page query letter. Let a literary friend critique your letter. Better yet, ask them if they would be interested in reading more about your novel.

3. Practice your "elevator speech" on how you might interest a stranger in reading the first three chapters of your current project. Keep your speech to 15 seconds.


Subscription Information:

The Writer's Connection is a free publication. If you want to continue to receive this Newsletter, you can SUBSCRIBE at Virtual Writing Coach.

To unsubscribe type UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line and send to keith@virtualwritingcoach.com.

Be assured your name and email address are confidential. We do not sell, rent or share our mailing list with anyone.

Contact Information

Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Voice: 281-893-5405
Fax: 281-893-1735
Web: http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com
E-Mail: keith@virtualwritingcoach.com
(c) Copyright 2003 A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.

Distribution Rights

The Writer's Connection (sm) is copyrighted, but you may retransmit or
distribute it to whomever you wish as long as not a single word is changed, added, or deleted, including the contact information. However, you may not copy it to a web site.

Republication of The Writer's Connection (sm) in paper media is encouraged and permitted by individuals, organizations and associations, as long as the issue is reprinted in its entirety, without change, and includes the contact information.

With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue to fit your space requirements. Republication also is encouraged under other circumstances. However, the advance permission of A. Keith Barton, Ph.D. must be obtained in the event that changes in the text are desired.

The Writer's Connection Mission:

The Writer's Connection is dedicated to helping first-time authors create their first manuscript for publication and to offer an exchange of ideas and opinions from our readers who might be interested in becoming authors.

The Writer's Connection™ is a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach and Keith Barton, Ph.D. and a registered trademark.

We would like The Writer's Connection to be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments, topics you would like addressed, or can suggest additional resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time. Send your e-mail to
keith@virtualwritingcoach.com.

Please forward this issue to anyone you think would find The Writer's Connection interesting and beneficial. Your recommendation helps us keep growing, and ensures an excellent exchange of information and techniques.

Archives

You can read previous issues of The Writer's Connection at our archive at http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com/archive.html.

About Keith Barton, Ph.D.

Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist for over thirty years. He is currently enrolled in MentorCoach and is accepting new clients. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina, consultant to Fortune 500 companies in executive development, founded and managed Texas Community Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing group home services to persons with mental retardation, and for the past 13 years founded and runs a clinical practice in Northwest Houston. He writes part-time with the goal of completing one novel a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate interest in helping others become attuned to their creative powers of storytelling.

Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family therapy and health psychology. He has published articles, made presentations and conducted workshops about:

Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self-esteem
Communication skills
Marital/relationship enrichment
Wellness issues
The relationship between psychology and spirituality

© 2003 The Virtual Writing Coach and Keith Barton.