Hi Reader,

Last week, I went to PitchFest at ThrillerFest in NYC, and let me tell you... It was a whirlwind.

For three hours, I met with as many literary agents and editors as I could, pitching Zoe’s Got Baggage again and again until I could probably do it in my sleep.

The best part? Most agents said "yes" and asked to see more. Now we wait...

This is what I learned that I can pass on to you: Don’t treat a pitch like a speech. Treat it like the start of a conversation.

At PitchFest, we only had 3 minutes with each agent. One minute for the pitch, then two minutes for more chit chat. That means the goal wasn’t to recite every detail of my book. It was to make them curious enough to keep talking.

This was my game plan going in:

1. Start with “Imagine you’re...”

Instead of launching into plot points, I opened with: “Imagine you’re...” and placed the agent directly into my main character’s world. It instantly made the pitch feel more engaging and memorable.

This works beyond publishing, too. If people can picture themselves in the scenario, they lean in.

This tip came from a published author who landed an agent at PitchFest years ago.

2. Use the rest of the time to connect

After the pitch, I focused on real conversation instead of overselling. Remember, we're all humans.

Plus, it was way fun to chat with an agent who is married to an audiobook narrator and listens to the books he narrates in real time.

3. Take notes immediately after

I jotted down specifics from each meeting, so my follow-up emails felt personal. Mentioning something you discussed helps you stand out.

While I was in NYC, I also stopped by the Audible Story House, which was basically a bookstore... with no books.

Yes, really.

It was a pop-up listening lounge and storytelling space where audio content came to life in the coolest way. Click here to go on the tour with me.​

Now I need your help deciding what to talk about next week.

And one more thing... I realized I never shared my Best Woman speech from my sister’s wedding. So click here to watch the whole thing. (Warning: I channel Vanilla Ice.)

​
Christina