by ~Sia McKye~
Member since:
August 8, 2007

CONTEMPLATIONS OVER COFFEE: on Blurbs and Pitches--Wombats CCXLVII

January 30, 2009 06:02 PM EST (Updated: January 30, 2009 06:04 PM EST)
views: 205 | rating: 9.2/10 (11 votes) | comments: 300

 

 

I’ve only gotten serious about my writing the last couple of years. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done a lot of writing in my life for articles, seminars, radio, newspapers, and industry styled periodicals. And while I’ve told stories all my life, written down many of them, it’s only been a recent thing for me to consider fulfilling my dream of writing novels and having them published.

 

I have several friends who are authors and who have been a big encouragement to me. One asked me to give a brief blurb about one of my stories. I’m thinking, brief? You see, me and brief, we have problems and we’re not exactly close friends. I thought, hey, I can do this. After all, I wrote several 90,000-word books so how hard can it be? I hunkered down and got to it.

Three days and seven drafts later I gave her what I thought was brief. Ahem, need I say it was in need of a major blood transfusion when I got it back? Then she added the word “concise”, sigh…I thought two pages was concise.

She then gave me a helpful clue; think of the back cover of a book. Two days and twelve drafts later I hand her the blurb. Her response? Sia, just how big do you think a book cover is? Oh-oh. The next day and we won’t mention the draft count, I handed it back to her. Good word count, however…then came all this stuff about character goal, motivation, conflict, word choices, and yeah, it was still bleeding to death.

My friend is tough and has pushed me to be the best I can be and not to give up. I have a lot of respect for her. So, you know whom I went to when I was preparing a 50-word pitch for an editor. This time it only took me one day and four drafts—I had been practicing. I got it back, “close but not quite.” I growled—hey it impressed my dog. I went for a walk, did the dishes, polished my nails and sat down, determined to get this thing right.

My final draft? “Wow, you got it!” Shock, followed by the wet noodle thing, and then elation.

If the editor does more then just read the manuscript, and offers me a contract? I’ll tell you what it feels like to win a lottery.

Do you find it hard to write a blurb or a pitch for fiction?  What about non-fiction?  Do you think it requires a different mind-set than writing a manuscript?

Please do share.

 
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Comments: 300

Sherrie Super Jan 30, 2009, 6:16pm EST
FIRST!!! Maybe?
Lisa "Queen Wombat" F. Jan 30, 2009, 6:20pm EST
Yes, Sherrie, you are first.

I am second. Whoo-hoo!
Sherrie Super Jan 30, 2009, 6:21pm EST
Great article, Sia! It really was interesting to see those 50-word pitches. (To refresh everyone's memory, these were the 50-word romance pitches to Sourcebooks / Casablanca, as announced by Judi during the last few threads.)

It was amazing how much could be said with just 50 words. I've never tried to boil mine down to just 50 words, but it would be interesting to see what I'd come up with. I might try it, just for fun, when I get some time.
Sherrie Super Jan 30, 2009, 6:24pm EST
Sia, you've got me thinking...

Here's an idea for the next thread: We could try to boil our novels down to 50-word pitches and post them for Wombat feedback. I'd be glad to collect them via Gather email and post them in a single article (with or without names), if anyone is interested?
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 6:26pm EST
well, hell. With Sherrie hoggng the first 3 out of 4 comments, I didn't have a shot at being first... *pouts
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 6:27pm EST
*hogging

see what happens when you type with one hand and eat a... PHILLY CHEESESTEAK with the other ;}
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 6:27pm EST
Actually, that's not a bad idea, Sherrie. I will tell you to write a 50 word pitch takes a different mindset. you have to think about it differently.
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 6:28pm EST
Oh, I'm so jealous, Judi! Out here they just aren't as good. Ditto with Ruebens
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 6:32pm EST
Okay, just read the article. Am I this friend? I know I was involved in some of this, and I remember the "you got it!" email, but I wasn't that bloody, was I?

I can write a blurb, but I don't like the 50 word constraint thing. We're talking about doing this on the Casa blog, but I don't wanna. My 116 word blurb for IOHH has a nice rhythm and covers all the major points. I could *maybe get it to 90, but I think it lost my voice at the 50 word limit - although Lisa did get me from 64 to 50, and beautifully, I might add.
Gina Robinson Jan 30, 2009, 6:38pm EST
Hey, I'm pretty high up on the thread for just popping in!

I hate writing blurbs. Hate it! Just call me wordy, but it's really hard to condense things down to such brevity.
Jamie C. Jan 30, 2009, 6:39pm EST
Pitch? PITCH?!!! *runs from room screaming and pulling out hair
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 6:40pm EST
lololol! Yes, Judi, you've been involved and kicking my but for the better part of a year. You're tough, kid. But, I know I'm gonna regret this, you usually are right...
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 6:41pm EST
I am FRAMING that comment.

just sayin'...
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 6:41pm EST
This was what John calls taking silly putty and stretching it slightly.
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 6:41pm EST
oh no. I knew I'd regret it, LMAO
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 6:43pm EST
Jamie, Jaime? Come back Jamie....at least you had 300 words. Try 50. then we can talk about pulling out hair...
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 6:47pm EST
BTW Judi, I still have your red ink comments on my blurb I did months ago, last year? Anyway, and you did mention GMC etc. I keep these things in a Judi suggests file. How many of your friends can say that? lololol!
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 6:51pm EST
oooooo! the pressure!!!!
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 6:51pm EST
and what if I'm wrong?
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 6:51pm EST
not that I am.

But I could be.

maybe.
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 6:52pm EST
(totally t-i-c here people)

t-i-c = tongue-in-cheek. My acronym. TM
Ken C. Jan 30, 2009, 6:57pm EST
I hate the synopsis, back cover text and pitch. I coould probably write it for someone else, but I really struggle in doing it for myself. If I could summarize my wild adventure in 50 words, I would do it and you wouldn't have to read the other 70,000 words. Grrr.
c.l.m. 180˚ Jan 30, 2009, 7:00pm EST
yes, but knowing is half the battle ...

sounds like you have a good start ... the best to you in ALL your writing endeavors!
C.L. Mareydt 180º
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 7:02pm EST
Thanks, CL. You're a sweetheart. I'm not giving up.
Wanda H. Jan 30, 2009, 7:03pm EST
One day, I shall be first! Yes I will. I know, I know. Early bird and worm but one day it shall be my turn! And NOT Sherries! hunh!
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 7:04pm EST
Ken, it is easier to write it for someone else. That's why I think it's important to have someone else really look at it and give you honest feedback.

Judi, I ain't sayin' you walk on water, except in the winter...but you have a good handle on romance.
Jamie C. Jan 30, 2009, 7:05pm EST
Pitches will come later (like tomorrow). Now is for editing. 271 pages down, 146 to go. *eyes go crossed
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 7:17pm EST
I'm going to go eat dinner. It's Friday, try not to trash the place, lolol!
ML S. Jan 30, 2009, 7:18pm EST
Last time I did any pitching I partially separated my shoulder. I don't try to make pitches anymore...heh. ;-)

Home again home again jiggedy jag. Spent the day in Lincoln on business. Fun fun. bleah.
Sherrie Super Jan 30, 2009, 7:22pm EST
Oink! That's meeeeee!!!! Top-spot-comment-hogger extraordinaire. Mwhahahahahaha!!!!
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 7:25pm EST
*hands Sia the greenbacks...
Sherrie Super Jan 30, 2009, 7:28pm EST
Hey, where'd Jamie go? Jamie? Jamie?
Jamie C. Jan 30, 2009, 7:36pm EST
I'm cooking dinner. Tacos from the box. And Mexican Rice, also from a box.

And I'm staring at this huge stack of "to be edited" pages thinking WTF was I thinking!

I can do this. I can do this. Between taxi-ing the kid about, I can do this.
Sherrie Super Jan 30, 2009, 7:40pm EST
Mmmmmm...taaaacos...
Yup, you can definitely do this. And you'll be SO glad you did.
Thinking some more, maybe the pre-Amazon flurry isn't the best time to be thinking about 50-word pitches. Maybe in a couple threads?
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 8:04pm EST
Up to you Sherrie. Whens the deadline for Amazon?

Judi, um, that's not quite enough for my own Fabio....
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 8:06pm EST
Sorry 'bout that, Sia. (*hands over some George Washingtons and Abe Lincolns... ;} )

Okay, Hubs has discovered the joys of YouTube. We have now watched Burt Reynolds on The Johnny Carson Show, Andy Kauffman and Steve MArtin on The DAting Game (back before they were who they are), Steve MArtin's "Billie Jean" music video, and way too many others to name. LMAO!
Sherrie Super Jan 30, 2009, 8:15pm EST
The Amazon deadline is Feb. 2 - 8. (I think.)

How about this? I'll host a 50-word pitch thread as soon as I receive ten (or more) 50-word pitches via Gather email. That way, the timing or concept will be based on the level of Wombat interest.

Or Judi, you might want to host it, since you're the one who started the trend. I'm happy either way!

Thoughts?
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 8:17pm EST
You can, Sherrie. I'm getting back on the blog schedule on the Casa blog and the deadlines... plus the presidential stuff. I've got enough on my plate.
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 8:50pm EST
It IS Friday night, yes?
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 8:57pm EST
hello...o...o...o
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 8:57pm EST
is anyone out there... air...air...air (do the phonetics.)
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 8:58pm EST
Where are you... ou...ou..
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 8:58pm EST
I'm doing an Echo-Dana.

:)
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 8:58pm EST
Last I looked at the calendar, Judi. lolol! Sherrie, I'll just give you mine. I'm not quite ready to do one and the next of the series. Maybe in a few weeks.
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 8:59pm EST
Are we looking for diversion Judi?
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:00pm EST
can you tell?
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:00pm EST
jake is the one that originally got me hooked on youTube. Hey Judi, are you going to do an updated trailer and post it to youTube?
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:01pm EST
I was just chatting on FB with the guy who won my ARC. Oh, the pressure! I have to make up for all those years in junior high and high school when he was friends with all the girls and didn't have a girlfriend. He said if the note is good enough, I'll save him thousands in therapy.

So, I'm taking ideas...
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:01pm EST
and I want a glass of that wine...
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:01pm EST
yes, I am, Sia. Hoping to ge #3 written then I'll join a stock photo place for a month to get all the images for 3 videos. I had such a blast doing those.
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:02pm EST
wine? What wine? Who's got wine?

Can I have some?
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:03pm EST
Okay, this Amazon thing is putting a serious crimp in my fun.

Stop it, Wombats! Come back here right now and amuse me!
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:03pm EST
Actually, I've been wanting some really good scotch lately, but haven't gotten to anywhere they sell it yet.

Oh good, I'm glad you will. Especially with that cover.
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:04pm EST
When I look at Christine Feehan's trailers I'm in awe. Of course hers are more like small movies
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:05pm EST
Yeah, I have the copy for the most part, so it'll just need some tweaking.

Oh, crud. I have to come up with copy for the next two.

One more thing to add to the growing list. Now they're talking about BookScan on the pubbed authors chat loops. So much to learn. You should have seen my notebook from national last year - it resembled the one I had at my first conference as a newbie.
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:06pm EST
Heh - I'll be shelved right NEXT to Christine. And seated next to her at signings. Gotta love that!
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:06pm EST
30-60 second action video. but my god she gets 800k views in days, can you imagine? Even Sherrilyn Keynon uses youtube and hers are about the same. 100's of thousand. my god. It boggles the mind
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:08pm EST
of course they can now afford to have a professional do their trailers. yah I heard about book scan but don't know much about it. Yet. Gimme time :-)
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:09pm EST
Romance fans are verrrry loyal.

Now I just need some! :)
Sherrie Super Jan 30, 2009, 9:10pm EST
Wow, it sounds like everyone is really busy these days.

Another thought about pitches and Amazon and what-not. You know, we contestants can post a description of our novel. I was planning to basically reuse the pitch. Now I'm wondering if there'd be any value to working up a 100-word description instead of the 300-word one. I might get points for brevity, and for crafting it more like what might appear on the back of a book.

I'd be interested in what others might think of this. I'd also be interested in some of that wine.
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:10pm EST
you'll get them. Judi, you're personable, approachable, and knowledgeable. you'll have em eating out of you hands in no time. It helps that you actually know how to tell a good story, lolol!
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:14pm EST
:) Sia.

re: christine feehan. I just checked out one of hers. She uses Circle of Seven for her trailers. I know a lot of people who use them. My advance wasn't *quite enough to afford it...
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:15pm EST
Sherrie - I'd say focus more on the pitch itself than going for a word count. Obviously don't go over it, but it's more important to say what you need to say - and if you can throw voice into it, even better. I'd use as many words as allowed to get the full effect.

jmho
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:17pm EST
I bet. Gawd. But there has to be some other possibilities? What about a some of the local colleges that have graphic arts etc departments? They're hungry for exposure. Maybe they'd work with you for exposure...? Worth a try?
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:18pm EST
that's a great idea, Sia. Emerald did (the artist of Merman's Kiss - the mock up cover I did). She ended up getting at least two cover deals out of it.
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:19pm EST
not to mention theatre arts departments. Getting a few actors, again for exposure and a few dollars? If the college allows projects it would certainly add kudos to their program....just a thought.
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:20pm EST
all good.

So, wanna call a few of my local colleges for me? ;}
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:20pm EST
Ideas and ideas by thinking out of the box are my thing, lolol!
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:21pm EST
you need to take your cute blonde blue eyed self down there...
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:21pm EST
Does Emerald know anyone in her contacts?
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:22pm EST
my OLD, blonde, blue-eyed self down there...
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:22pm EST
Emerald's in the Netherlands. Not much help.
Jamie C. Jan 30, 2009, 9:22pm EST
Dinner made and consumed. check
Kid carted to contest/dance/hypnotist school thingie. check
Cat litter changed. check
Sheets in washing machine. check
Freezer being defrosted. check (yeah, it's SUPPOSED to be frost free. your point?)

So what am I doin here?

Procrastination. check

I have to totally rewrite my "riot scene". The motivation isn't right the way it is. Several people have told me that indirectly. I reread it now and go, oh... the motivation is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! That's what readers were trying to tell me. CURSES! I sorta know what I need to do to fix it. Not really.....
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:24pm EST
Yah, but you still look good, not like you use a cane and drool and you're blonde. all that hair...that smile. We use what we got. Plus there's a steel trap of a brain in that pretty blonde head.
Sherrie Super Jan 30, 2009, 9:24pm EST
Thanks for the insight, Judi! And it sounds to me like you've got a ton of fans already. Your ARC sold for a ton of loot.
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:25pm EST
ooh, goody! Jamie's procrastinating with us! yay!!!

hypnotist thingy? Uh oh. Did I ever tell you about my senior dinner with the hypnotist...
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:26pm EST
Sherrie - see the conversation up thread about what Larry wants me to write in the book. Friend from school who thinks $91 is cheaper than therapy.
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:26pm EST
do you want to, lolol... I'm thinking greenbacks to keep it quiet, lmao!
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:28pm EST
heh, good point. It was in the days BEFORE YouTube. (and, amazingly enough, there actually WERE days before youtube.)
James R. Jan 30, 2009, 9:28pm EST
Sherrie, good idea about the pitches. As Judi say, fifty words sounds pretty grim, but it is the "elevator pitch" after all. I'll try to squeeze my last one on Growing Up Single down to that length when time permits. Oh, many congrats on the 3rd place in Pinewood Derby; speaking from personal experience with my guys, that is excellent.

Tonight was my first workout at the Y since going on both of those trips. It is so nice to be treating my body to something other than a long slouch in a chair.

I read the Time article in hard copy. I wasn't terribly impressed, since they used as their examples self-pubbed folks that sold well and then got picked up by traditional publishers. From everything I've been reading the last 2 years, that's an unusual route to success. I didn't see their top 100 list; must have been only in the soft copy. I'll have to check that out.

I just printed out all of the worksheets for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It's time to hunker down with oldest son and submit that. Good news: we'll have fewer assets to report. Bad news: the same.
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:29pm EST
and 360, cell phone videos, and blackberries...
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:31pm EST
hey James....oooo, FAFSA. Scholarships my son Jake. I have a few years yet...
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:35pm EST
So the application is Free? Good to know.
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:36pm EST
*that was sarcasm.

You can't honestly tell me people want you to PAY to apply for financial aid???

(is anyone else laughing at this or am I just missing something?)
Jamie C. Jan 30, 2009, 9:44pm EST
There are companies that make big bucks "finding scholarships" for your student. Most are big frauds.

So the scene BEFORE the riot is fixed. I've got some proper motivation in there that ties in with the previous two chapters (bonus!). Now for the hard part.

*puts on hard hat

I'm going in!!
Sherrie Super Jan 30, 2009, 9:44pm EST
Hah! Judi, I don't think the therapy thing had anything to do with it. He's a fan, baby!

So, keeping up my Amazon entry list: Pat, Jamie, Dale, James, Cathy, and me? I always feel like I'm missing someone.
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:45pm EST
lolol! Just yell and we'll send in the Marines, Jamie...
Sherrie Super Jan 30, 2009, 9:47pm EST
I bet you'd look cute in a hard-hat, Jamie. And really, isn't that the most important thing? Hard hats are lucky too.

Funny all this talk about hypnotists. My WIP stars a hypnotist.
Jamie C. Jan 30, 2009, 9:51pm EST
*coming up for air

It's bloody in there! I'll need some boots and a rain coat too. Ahhhh! Two paragraphs in to the scene and I'm already freaking out. Put the Marines on speed dial.
Wendy C. Jan 30, 2009, 9:51pm EST
50 words? Cock brow... I'll see what I can do, but don't expect it to be good.

Synopsis is very difficult for me. I deeply dislike doing them. At some point I hope to get that emotion to annoyance. It's part of the process.

DH took bookmarks to work today. He said I was in trouble. Apparently the ladies at work wanted to know if the lead was based on him. SNORK! He actually blushed at me. Poor dear.

PP called. 'Can I come to you house?' G'ma, 'Ask your mom.' I'm pathetic, I know.. grin. She's taking a bath at my house. How did that happen?
Jamie C. Jan 30, 2009, 9:53pm EST
I've also discovered I have an inordinate fondest of the prepositional phrase.

An example: A hush fell over the civilians on the other side of the fence.

GAH!!!
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:54pm EST
No Sherrie, no. I don't want to quack like a duck, or bark like a dog--both of which I do just fine without hypnosis.
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:56pm EST
I'll try to find the hot and hunky ones Jamie. Every women needs hot and hunky...and in uniform...or out...lol!

I'm really trying to finish this piece I'm writing, alas, nothing hot and hunky in it...
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:57pm EST
or sing in front of the entire senior class (on key, amazingly)...

or cuddle with the homecoming king on stage...
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 9:58pm EST
*referring to hypnotist
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 9:59pm EST
So THAT'S why you were so good twirling those batons, Ah HA.
~Sia McKye~ Jan 30, 2009, 10:02pm EST
Bubble baths at Grandma's, awww, Wendy. Pooor DH. All that attention and still manfully willing to carry in your bookmarks to work...
Judi F. Jan 30, 2009, 10:02pm EST
nah, I've been twirling since 3rd grade (batons, people. We'll talk about the ditzy blonde thing another time). Hypnotist was 9 years later. By then I could do a six-spin and a 4spin-forward roll. And twirl machetes. And rifles. And hoops. And sabres.
</
Sherrie Super Jan 30, 2009, 10:02pm EST
You Lady Guys are cracking me up!

And heeeey, Jamie, I liked the phrase you pasted in there!

Have I ever mentioned that I'm a certified hypnotherapist? Oddly enough, you can only make people quack or sing if they deep down inside want to. Part of what stage hypnotists to, when seeking victims, is identify those who (1) are especially receptive to hypnosis, and (2) want to perform. It's pretty interesting.