I was lucky enough to be noticed by my incredible agent through #DVPit, so wanted to share some tips that helped me go from zero likes on pitch events to nearly 15 agent/editor likes across several pitches:
- Include subgenre hashtags! A lot of agents/editors search for books based on the subgenre hashtags so the more you have that relate to your book, the easier your post is to find. Typically, pitch events will have a full list of hashtags you can use on their website. Here are a few I frequently see used, but please check out the pitch event’s website because sometimes they may have unique hashtags for that event. Also, don’t forget to include the most important hashtag: the pitch event!
- Book format:
#PB (picture book), #YA (young adult), #MG (middle grade), #GN (graphic novel), #CB (chapter book), etc.
- Identity:
#OWN (own voices), #DIS (disability), #POC (person of color), #LGBT (LGBTQIA+), #ND (Neurodiverse), #IMM (immigration), #TV (trans voice), etc. - Book genre:
#SF (science fiction), #H (horror), #M (mystery), #NF (non fiction), etc.
- Illustrators:
These hashtags tend to vary per pitch event. For example, #DVPit has the #DVArt hashtag.
- Book format:
- Pitch in the style of the way your book (or portfolio) is. For example, if you’re writing a humorous picture book, write a humorous pitch. If you’re pitching as an author-illustrator for a graphic novel, include a sample of a page, spread, title and/or concept art.
- Make sure in your pitch to set up your book, mention the dilemma, and what’s at stake. You want to SELL your story, not TELL your story. Here’s a great resource: https://makeyourbookamovie.com/building-the-perfect-logline-for-your-book-screenplay-or-other-story/441/…
- Include what makes your book *unique*. There are a lot of stories about friendship, but what makes YOUR story about friendship different from the rest?
- Ask for feedback from others (preferably in publishing). If you have critique partners, see what they think. If you have an agent or editor friend, ask them if what you’re pitching is working. Sometimes, people on Twitter will even offer to look at your pitch for free.
- (Bonus!) Comps (comparison titles) can help agents/editors understand your story better and know how to sell your book. If you’re including comps, make sure to include book titles from the last five years. You can also include well-known movies/shows/etc.
- Finally, engage with the community! If you think someone’s pitch is great, tell them! The Twitter algorithm will work in your favor the more you engage, and the more you engage, the more likely someone will engage with your post too. Prior to DVPit, you can also make lists of people to support. Just search for the DVPit hashtag and you’ll find several people who already want to support each other’s pitches. You can even save them to a Twitter list.
- Most importantly, have fun! Pitch events are a great way to meet people and learn what makes a good pitch. Even if you don’t get agent/editor likes, take this as an opportunity to study successful Twitter pitches so you can be ready for the next one. (: