Workshops for Writers-Sept. 11: “Pitchfest” Workshops, Consultations & Pitches
Sign up now for book consultations with experts and to pitch your novel to publishers at the St. Louis Writers Guild’s Sept. 11 Pitchfest!
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the online mini-conference will also feature three “how-to” workshops to help you get your book ready to launch. These are free for SLWG members and $20 for nonmembers. Members must register to receive the link. Pitch sessions and consultations are an additional fee.
SPEAKERS
10 a.m. — Matt Davids: The Amazon Book Page: What Self-Publishing Authors Need to Know
Understanding the world’s largest bookseller is crucial for self-published authors. In this overview of Amazon Book Pages, Matt will cover a lot of areas like book covers, categories, descriptions, etc.
11 a.m. — Cathy Davis: Navigating the Wild, Wild, West of Publishing
The current publishing landscape in the US can be confusing, wild, and very much a “buyer be-AWARE” market. Join Cathy as she simplifies the options available to authors and discusses the pros-and-cons of each. Learn:
• What is an Author Brand Platform and why do I need one?
• When do I start thinking about book marketing?
• What kinds of books sell best?
• Which publishing path is best for me?
• How do I avoid self-publishing pitfalls?
Noon — Karen Sargent: Experience the Launch Your Book Deserves
Friends don’t let friends launch alone. You need a book launch team. Karen Sargent will share her expertise leading dozens of book launch teams that achieved Amazon #1 new release rankings. Discover the three reasons you need a book launch team; how to recruit, set goals, and energize your team; and how to create an effective book launch schedule. If you want to sell more books, reach more readers, and receive more Amazon reviews, you need a book launch team.
CONSULTATIONS
Get one or more 20+ minute one-on-one consultations with the featured experts:
Matt Davids: Get a personalized Amazon book page evaluation, including areas like book cover, categories, description, etc. Submit your Amazon book page link by Sept. 1.
Cathy Davis: Establishing your Author Brand Platform is a critical first-step for author success. Let's discuss ways to make your brand work better for you. Submit your questions by Sept. 1 for this personalized Q&A speed-round.
Karen Sargent: (Submit the appropriate copy by Sept. 1)
• Book Descriptions: Your book description is one of your most important marketing tools. Is your book description enticing readers or turning them away? Let’s make it irresistible!
• Query Letters: Writing an enticing query letter is both a science and art. Are agents requesting your manuscript? Or is your query letter an obstacle between your manuscript and an agent’s inbox? Let’s make your query letter work for you, not against you.
• First Five Pages: What do the first five pages of your manuscript say about you as a writer? Agents and editors will know. Do you? Let’s eliminate even the most subtle mistakes that lead to rejection.
Consultations with speakers are $40 each. Sign up by clicking the button on the website’s Pitchfest page under Special Events. The form asks for your consultation preference. Submissions for each consultation are requested by Sept. 1 to allow the experts time to review them.
PITCHES
Pitches to publishers are $20 each for nonmembers, $10 for members. Sign up by clicking the button on the website’s Pitchfest page under Special Events. The form asks for your publisher preference. If you sign up before all the publishers have been announced, you will be contacted for your first choice.
CHICAGO REVIEW PRESS: Alicia Sparrow, Acquisitions Editor for the imprints Lawrence Hill Books, Council Oak Books, and Amberjack Publishing.
Her interest is in diverse children’s stories and authors from across cultures, and she is a major supporter of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks and the #OwnVoices movements. She is interested in age-appropriate graphic novels (exs: Drama, Awkward, or Nimona), pulse-pounding YA (Dread Nation, The Children of Blood and Bone, Ace of Spades), fun Middle Grade (ex: Amari and the Night Brothers, Wonder, or The Wings of Fire series), and sweet, narratively engaging picture books (ex: Journey, My Name is Jazz, or I Want My Hat Back).