Courses

You may have spent months, or even years, working on your novel. But in today’s crowded market, to persuade an agent or publisher to take it on, you will need to complete three additional pieces of writing: a query letter, a synopsis, and an elevator pitch (a very brief verbal summation of your novel). These are notoriously difficult to craft, so most fiction writers put them off until the last minute. But having them written and in place can be a great resource when you're drafting or editing your novel. They’re like a flag in the hole—something to aim at. Some agents even advise writing your pitch pieces before writing your book. In this course, we will work together, step by step, through the crafting of each element of your pitching toolkit. We will workshop and critique each draft in small breakout groups and explore different strategies according to your genre and your individual strengths. Each student will end the course with a pitch practice that will be “judged” by an invited agent, published author, or editor. This is a highly interactive course, with both individual and group exercises that will give you a new way of looking at and discussing your work. Come ready to take lots of notes and be prepared for homework. Leave with pitching tools that will help focus and strengthen your novel and eventually, sell your work.