You’ve completed your manuscript, and now you have the rare opportunity to put it in front of a publisher or agent. A strong pitch is your moment to show what your work is, who it’s for, and why it matters, so it’s worth putting in the effort to get it right.
Preparing a pitch can feel daunting, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. The tips below will help you present your work clearly and make the most of your precious time with an agent or publisher.
Start with a clear hook
Open with a one- or two-sentence summary of your work. This should quickly convey the essence of your story and draw the listener in, giving them a clear sense of what kind of book you’ve written.
Introduce your protagonist and stakes
Tell us who your main character is, what they want, and what stands in their way. This is the heart of your story, and helps the listener understand what’s driving the narrative forward.
Focus on the core idea
You don’t need to explain every subplot or character. Keep your pitch centred on the main arc and what makes your work distinctive, rather than trying to cover everything.
Keep it clear and direct
Clarity is more important than complexity. A simple, well-structured pitch will land more effectively than one that tries to do too much or includes unnecessary detail.
Aim for 3–4 minutes
Even if you have five minutes, keeping your pitch slightly shorter allows space to pause, breathe, or respond to a question if the agent would like to engage further, or ask for more information.
Practise out loud
Rehearse your pitch a few times so it feels natural. It’s fine to read from notes, but aim for a conversational tone rather than something that sounds overly scripted.
Keep any supporting material simple
If you’re showing your work (slides, images, or excerpts), don’t overcomplicate things. Focus on presenting your story, not your tech. A clear verbal pitch is always better than a presentation where you’re distracted by trying to make the computer or slides work.
Situate your work
Briefly indicate the genre and intended audience for your project. This helps the listener understand where your work might sit in the market, and shows that you understand the book business, not just the writing business.
For example: “an adult literary novel with speculative elements” or “a middle grade adventure for readers aged 8–12”.
Use comparison titles carefully
If you include comparison titles (and you should!), choose one or two that genuinely reflect your work. Where possible, use Australian titles if you are pitching to an Australian agent or publisher, as this demonstrates an understanding of the local market. Avoid very large or overused comparisons (for example, global bestsellers like Harry Potter), and aim for specificity.
For example: “for readers of Trent Dalton or Liane Moriarty”, or “in the vein of Tomorrow, When the War Began”.
Do your research
Take some time to look into the agent or publisher you’ll be meeting before your session. Find out what they’ve represented or published, and the kinds of work they’re interested in. If relevant, you might briefly note how your project aligns with, or differs from, the writers they already work with.
Keep biographical information relevant
You can include a short note about yourself if it’s relevant, but keep the focus on the work rather than your biography. If you do include information about yourself, keep it focused on what relates directly to the book. This might include why you’re well placed to tell this story, or how you could help promote it.
For example, you might mention relevant experience or expertise (“I’ve written this book about plants drawing on my 20 years’ experience as a horticulturalist”), or an existing platform (“I host a podcast with 1,000 monthly downloads” or “I have an Instagram following of 5,000 readers”).
Be confident in your work
You don’t need to apologise or qualify your pitch. Present your work clearly and confidently, and let the idea speak for itself. Agents and publishers are looking for work they can connect with, so focus on communicating what makes yours compelling.
Keep your contact details handy!
Make sure the agent or publisher can easily follow up after your pitch. If the session is being facilitated by an organisation like Writing NSW, we’ll pass your details on to them if requested. If you’re pitching independently, be ready to provide a card or note yourself.
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