Ok, so I pitched a while ago. Twice. And flopped.
Well, I won't say they complete flops, but they weren't my best interviews I've ever had, either. I got some phenomenal suggestions, and was asked to send some work once I'vr made a couple of suggested changes, and then we'll see where it goes from there.
And then I went back to my room to have a good cry, throw up, and to sh*t my brains out. Okay, I guess I didn't really sh*t my brains out, but I did come back to the room and have a good cry. Not because my pitches went badly, per say, but because I was hoping for my "Golden Ticket" moment. I was hoping for an Agent to say...
"Hey Sarah, I realize that your series might not seem like enough content to stretch over three books, but I want to represent you anyway, because you seem like the bees knees and you obviously know what you're doing when you write books, because otherwise, why would you have your legion of 26 "fans"? Oh, and also because your hair is just that damn good."Or I would have been happy with:
"Gee Sarah, I realize that the whole "My Best Friend's Wedding" thing has been totally done, but since you SAY that it is completely different, how about we sign a contract here and now, and then celebrate with some awesomely fattening food and you can give me some hair tips, while we eat and not gain any weight."Obviously, neither of those conversations actually happened.
Here are the two suggestions I
was told: Condense the whole story of Dillon & Gabe to
one larger book, then send it in. (Oh, BTW...thanks to the AZZHOLE who suggested breaking it into 3 books in the first place! You know who you are...you sabataging twit.) And then, change my title, edit out a few of the side stories, and send it in. I am totally okay with this suggestion, as it seems to be reasonable. My title, as much as I like it, doesn't exactly roll off of the tongue. So whatever. I can do that. Condense it all back into 1 book? Sheeeeeeeeeeee-it. Even the thought of that gives me the craps. I will have to work on that one slowly.
On the positive side, I've met some fabulous new friends, and I am making plans to bounce ideas, chapters, etc, off of them, which will be fun and good and endlessly productive, so I am happy. I am also learning things. I feel like I am in high school or college again, and that I am trying to get my brain to hold in all of the information, even though I feel like it might be dripping out of my ears, onto my shirt (which is a great shirt, BTW....horizontals stripes DON'T always make a fat girl look fatter. I am living proof of that theory today.) I am learning that I am not nearly as limited in genre's as I thought I was. I have ideas that go beyond the boundaries of contemporary romance, and I am excited to tinker around with them. I also learned that I am glad I have copywrited all of my work, because there are some dishonest mama's out there, and I need to be prepared to sue some azzes if my work shows up in their books. Oh, and I've also learned that I need to focus on branding myself and selling myself, which is something I've always scoffed at. But, in the end, it will pay off, so..........off I go. Learning learning learning....
Will I go to the ECRWC again next year? Of course. I am having the time of my life! Will I come pitching a series all focused
on one wedding......? Um, no. However, I will come with a kick ass, short, pitch that will blow the other women at the table off. I can do that....
I've got a year to prepare, right? Maybe in the meantime I will sell Dillon & Gabe's story to someone (with a revised title)? You never know...
Brooke Moss.
