My pitch teacher.

Ok, so when I went into the ECRW conference I had absolutely no idea how to pitch to an agent. The only advice I ever got was from a teeny bopper type who also advised me to break This Ominous Secret into 3 books, and we all know how that turned out. *Snort*

So I basically went into this pitch blind. And by blind, I mean...blindfolded, bound with cords, partially mentally handicapped, partially mute, epileptic, and maybe even suffering from a very slight case of terretts syndrome.

But, there was help in the eleventh hour. Thank you, Lord Baby Jesus in your manger. (Did you catch the Ricky Bobby tie in there? I hope so.)

I went to Pitchfest on Friday night, and was put into a group of aspiring authors (who ALL had amazing books to pitch. I mean, they were phenomenal. Like seriously. I want to read them. Now.) and a published author, who happened to be Y/A author, Heather Davis. (Her books are: Never Cry Werewolf, and The Clearing....which I am currently reading, and loving. And I'm not just saying that because I met her. I really love it, and highly reccommend it. (And anybody who reads my blog knows that I calls it hows I sees it. If the book sucks, I say so. If it doesn't, I say so. Period.

So....get The Clearing and read it. Now. No really, now.

But, I digress...

So anyway, I pitched my book to Heather, and discovered that my pitch blew. It blew big fat chunks all over the table. Not even my humor could save it. She offered some really great advice, and some pretty clear and even tempered feedback. So I went back to my room that night and put all of her advice into effect. And by morning, all of the aforementioned physical ailments aside, I gave a halfway decent pitch. Halfway decent. I was offered some suggestions on what to consider changing, and then told to send the books once I've made the said changes. This wasn't the result I was hoping for. (again...I was hoping to hear the agent say that my hair was great, and that she wanted to sign a contract with me based on my word alone.)

That didn't happen.

Anyhoo....so later on Saturday I bought Heather's book and had her sign it. Because she basically saved my AZZ. Little did I know that her book was awesome. (The fact that she has two published books, and I don't should speak volumes.) Anyway, so her book is really, really good. And now I can say I've met the author of a kick butt Y/A book, who also totally helped me with my pitch!!

How many people can say that?

I can.

Brooke Moss.