Sharpen your Elevator Pitch!

The two minute Elevator Pitch 

broken down into seconds

If you were stuck in a lift with a publisher, and had just a couple of minutes to say your piece what would it entail? Think about it. You have two minutes or less to impress that agent or publisher.

In twenty seconds make a short sharp introduction to you and your book. Be sure to know the name of person you are addressing!

In thirty seconds sum up your book in short sharp sentences. Who are the characters? What genre is the book? Make sure you sound enthusiastic and not apologetic. Enthusiasm is contagious!

In Thirty seconds say what’s special about your book? I'm sure you can think of something. If not your book, then you. What's special about you?

In fifteen seconds can you name any other authors or books with an audience who would be likely to enjoy reading your book?

In twenty seconds discuss what experience you have when it comes to writing. If this is your first book tell them about any competitions you've entered. Being shortlisted is an achievement so mention it.

In twenty seconds say how much/or how well the marketing is going for your book so far.

In fifteen seconds tell them know about any feedback from readers.

In ten seconds thank them for listening, and offer them a copy of your book if you have one to hand. And don't forget a business card! If you haven't got one yet, then now is the time to order a batch. They aren't expensive, so shop around.

Practice the elevator pitch in front of a mirror until you are fluent without any ers, ums and you knows dropping in. Practice your smile, record yourself speaking and see where you start rambling or become unstuck.

You can use this formula to write your synopsis, changing the seconds to line count. Keep it short (one side of A4 if possible. Font point 10 is acceptable, and adjust the margins to get it all on one page).

Leela Soma is Twice Born

Glasgow: Through the eyes of first generation Indians

Have you read a book about Glasgow seen through the eyes of first generation Indians?
Twice Born does just that. The novel follows the life of a young couple from India and their experiences in Glasgow.
Twice Born peels away the layers and presents the simmering progress of their life in Glasgow.
Straddling the two cultures, putting down their roots while not forgetting their liberal family values steeped in an ancient culture is a delicate balance for them.
The overarching themes of the novel are the universal aspects of love, identity and betrayal. An interesting aspect of the novel is that it also follows Scotland's fight for Independence as the political events parallels their lives.

Leela Soma's very first foray into publishing came when she entered two poems and raised a modest amount for a breast cancer charity. Her portfolio contains poems and a collection of short stories, some entirely in Glasgow dialect.

She won the Margaret Thomson Davis Trophy for Best New Writer 2007 for Twice Born.

Leela was formerly a principal teacher of modern studies in Glasgow. She is married with one daughter. and lives  in Milngavie, Glasgow. She arrived in Scotland in the late 60s and says of the city 'This is my home. I love Glasgow as much as my birth city of Madras Chennai. I am proud to be Scottish and Indian.'

Click below for the interview:

Query/cover letter

Here's my cover letter for A Proper Charlie. I'm told it must be a page long, no longer, must reveal a little about me, mention the book (not too much, that's what a synopsis is for!) and tell of past triumphants if any - mine's a few short stories in women's magazines and Eden my first novel.


Mr Lovely Agent
1 Will Represent You Road
London
WC2A 2GH

Dear Mr Lovely Agent

I enclose the synopsis and sample three chapters of my 80,000 word chicklit novel, A PROPER CHARLIE as requested in your new submission guidelines.

A PROPER CHARLIE is a contemporary romantic comedy aimed at the modern woman. Charlie is an office clerk. She’s a modern, social butterfly, and Ben is a serious, social dodger. Both are attracted to one another and both think the other is too good for them. They also have secrets.


I believe this novel will be enjoyed by twenty and thirtysomethings in particular. I see it as a novel for the Bridget Jones/Love Actually market.

I have worked very hard to make this novel as ready as possible for publication but I am also very used to welcoming editorial guidance. I am ambitious to become a successful author and am prepared to work as hard as necessary to achieve that.


I have EDEN published with YouWriteOn.com (POD), and run my own successful writing group for aspiring writers.

I know how busy you must be with existing clients but you will understand that I want to approach other agents fairly soon; therefore, I will submit A Proper Charlie to other agents or publishers in three weeks.

I very much hope that you will like what you read and that you will want to see the rest of A PROPER CHARLIE.


Yours Faithfully,

Louise Wise.

So whadda think? I've researched the "perfect cover letter" and have taken advice from many writers including Nicola Morgan and her BRILLIANT blog (try the link, why don't you?).

There is lots of advice out there, and I've come to the conclusion that there isn't one particular right way! A few wrong ways maybe, but definitely no right ways. It's a matter of telling the agent/publisher what you're offering in a business like manner.

How hard can that be?

Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!