00:03:57 Janet Morris Grimes: Edwina Perkins Acquisitions Editor, Harrambee Press & Iron Stream Media Edwina Perkins is the assistant director of Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. She is also the coordinator for Mentoring Moments and the manager for Sensitivity Between the Lines, both with BRMCWC. She is an acquisitions editor for Iron Stream Media and the imprint Harambee Press. As a longtime member of Word Weavers International, she now serves as a member of the advisory board. Edwina is an award-winning writer, experienced teacher, speaker, freelance editor, and a sensitivity reader. She is also a freelance writer with Guideposts. One of her passions is to address the need for sensitivity and diversity in the publishing industry. She’s a lover of anything dark chocolate, and chocolate-covered espresso beans are her weakness. 00:04:47 Janet Morris Grimes: Here's the handout for this session if you don't already have it. 00:04:58 Janet Morris Grimes: https://kychristianwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Perkins_Pitch.pdf 00:06:29 Susan Healey: Good morning all. 00:08:53 Janet Morris Grimes: Edwina Perkins Acquisitions Editor, Harrambee Press & Iron Stream Media Edwina Perkins is the assistant director of Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. She is also the coordinator for Mentoring Moments and the manager for Sensitivity Between the Lines, both with BRMCWC. She is an acquisitions editor for Iron Stream Media and the imprint Harambee Press. As a longtime member of Word Weavers International, she now serves as a member of the advisory board. Edwina is an award-winning writer, experienced teacher, 00:11:04 Diana: Janet, how do I get my last name included? 00:11:44 karen h. richardson: It's the … next to your window on the screen. 00:11:55 karen h. richardson: You can change your name there. 00:14:04 Diana Derringer: Thanks, Karen! 00:14:45 Janet Morris Grimes: yes, thanks, Karen! 00:17:14 Janet Morris Grimes: Elevator pitch - imagine that you're on an elevator, and as the doors are closing, someone asks "Tell me what your book is about?" You need to be able to answer that before the doors open again. It must be short and to the point. 00:17:29 Janet Morris Grimes: What are the most important things to share? 00:18:08 Janet Morris Grimes: Count the words 00:18:53 Janet Morris Grimes: Throw it all on the page before you can clean it up 00:20:14 Janet Morris Grimes: Why should you be the one writing this? 00:20:21 Janet Morris Grimes: Who are you writing for? 00:21:46 Janet Morris Grimes: You want to hear "Tell me more." 00:21:54 Janet Morris Grimes: What is context? 00:22:07 Janet Morris Grimes: Who's the central character? What is her conflict? 00:22:48 Janet Morris Grimes: The outcome doesn't always have to be positive 00:24:37 Janet Morris Grimes: REaders want to be educated, entertained, inspired or challenged 00:28:19 Janet Morris Grimes: Go back to your pitch - identify your 'W's 00:28:44 Janet Morris Grimes: Circle each one 00:28:51 Janet Morris Grimes: Cut all unnecessary phrases 00:29:36 Janet Morris Grimes: Look for -ing words. cut them. They indicate to be verbs 00:30:21 Janet Morris Grimes: avoid passive words - 00:30:43 Janet Morris Grimes: Does not start with "my book is about..." 00:31:21 Janet Morris Grimes: Practice your pitch in front of a mirror until it comes naturally 00:31:57 Janet Morris Grimes: What is your genre 00:33:35 Janet Morris Grimes: How does your book compare to similar authors? How do they categorize theirs? 00:38:34 Janet Morris Grimes: Like a flashlight, focus on one reader. Others will find it as well, but your message will stronger if you hone in on a very specific person and what she needs. 00:41:05 Janet Morris Grimes: Who is your audience of one? Be specific 00:42:34 Janet Morris Grimes: Tagline - one sentence. Your hook. Gives the reader a reason to care. 00:43:02 Janet Morris Grimes: Your main character, her goal, the opposing force trying to stop her 00:43:18 Jonna LeVan: Is a "tagline" and a "logline" the same thing? 00:43:52 Janet Morris Grimes: We'll confirm at the end, Jonna. I believe it is, but we'll ask Edwina. 00:46:03 Janet Morris Grimes: Strong verbs, straight to the point 00:46:26 Janet Morris Grimes: Shoot for 50 words or less 00:49:27 Jonna LeVan: Netlfix taglines. Perfect for a visual learner!❤️ 00:53:18 Janet Morris Grimes: Any questions? 00:54:19 Jonna LeVan: Is a "tagline" and a "logline" the same thing, just different terminology? 00:55:44 Jonna LeVan: Thank You for that clarification! 00:56:42 gaylacrosby: Thank you Edwina. That was marvelous! 00:57:36 Rhonda Dragomir: I open my one-sheet side-by-side with my Zoom window in virtual appointments. Then, it's ready to help me with verbiage. 00:57:53 Jonna LeVan: Is submitting a proposal to a publisher a commitment or just an expository of you as a writer? 00:58:45 Diana Derringer: Is it ever appropriate to ask a question, followed by the tagline information? 01:01:12 Jonna LeVan: Thank you, Edwina! 01:01:18 Classroom 3: 10 minutes remaining. TEN minutes. 01:03:09 gaylacrosby: Should you only submit a proposal to only one publisher at a time or can you submit to more than one? 01:03:13 Rhonda Dragomir: Do you have advice about "informal" pitches, such as at an editor's dining table with multiple people there? 01:05:18 Classroom 3: 5 minutes remaining. FIVE minutes. 01:08:00 Lynn Myers: Awesome session. Thanks, 01:08:09 Nicki Bishop: Thank you so much! 01:08:12 Sandra Chambers: This was excellent! 01:08:16 Johanna Janssen: Thank you Edwina.\ 01:08:16 Tracy Helixon: Thank you! 01:08:17 Jonna LeVan: Great words. Thank you! 01:08:20 Rhonda Dragomir: Thanks, Edwina! 01:08:27 Susan Healey: Thank you so much. What you said clicked.