For those unfamiliar with Pitch Wars, it’s a contest where published/agented authors, editors, or interns (mentor list here) choose one writer each, read their entire manuscript, and offer suggestions to shine it up for these agents here. The mentors also critique the writer’s pitch to get it ready for the agent round. Mentors also pick two alternates each in case their writer drops out of the contest. A special alternate showcase is held on some of the mentors’ blogs and the mentors will critique the alternates’ pitches. Writers send applications (query and first 5 pages of manuscript) to the four mentors that best fit their work. The mentors then read all their applications and choose the writer they want to mentor for the next five weeks to be ready for the agent round January 22 through January 23.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to deadlines, I’m not mentoring this time.
Check out this vlog message by the talented (and so cute) Megan Whitmer who is a mentor this year …
Submission Guidelines …
Submission window opens on December 2 from 12:01AM to 11:59PM EST for applications (query and first five pages of manuscript – that’s double spaced manuscript pages but make them single spaced in your application – see below). Please do not send applications before or after the submission time or they will be deleted.
If you make it into Pitch Wars, you may not enter any contests during the coaching period and until after the agent round, which is January 22 -23. (That’s after 12/11. You may enter Baker’s Dozen.)
On submission day, send your applications to brendadrakecontests@gmail.com. Writers can apply for up to 4 coaches. The coaches’ categories are set. Coaches can only consider the categories they’ve signed up for. Writers cannot apply for a coach that is not in their category or the application will be deleted. No nonfiction, picture books, or previously published works. If you’re an unagented author and have self-published before, you may enter the contest with a never-before-published manuscript.
· This is open to finished manuscripts only.
· You may only enter one manuscript.
· Only the genres requested by each coach will be considered for the contest.
Formatting…
Send four separate emails addressed to each of your chosen mentors. Not one email for all four. That’s four individual emails. The query should be addressed to the mentor(s) you’re applying to, and it’s up to you if you want to personalize it as you do when sending to an agent. It’s not a requirement to tell the mentors why you’re choosing them, but it may be an added push to get the mentor to notice you.
Subject line: Pitch Wars Application: Coach Name you want to apply for: Title (Example: Pitch Wars Application: Brenda Drake: LIBRARY JUMPERS).
Name: Your Name (Example – Name: Brenda Drake)
Category/Genre: The category/genre of your manuscript (Example – Category/Genre: YA Urban Fantasy)
Word Count: The word count of your manuscript (Example – Word Count: 86,000) (make sure to round up or down to the nearest 1000’s
Query letter here (embedded in email). Single spaced. No indentions. A space between each paragraph.
First five double-spaced pages of the manuscript here (embedded in email). Single spaced. No indentions. A space between each paragraph.
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REMINDER: You can send an application for up to 4 coaches.
WARNING: Just like an agent, mentors may request more pages of your manuscript to help them make their final decision.
For those who do not make it into Pitch Wars (and those who want to join in) we’ll hold a Twitter Pitch Party on #PitMad January 8 from 8AM to 8PM EST. If you make it into Pitch Wars you may not pitch in #PitMad.
I am so excited! Will the mentors be contacting us by email or will you be announcing the mentor/writer teams on your blog?
The teams will be announced on my blog.
Yet another tool for the unpublished author to utilise. Thanks.
Will put my submission together this very instant…
‘Twas the night before Thanksgiving, and my husby and I
Were on the road to his daughter’s for pie
When all of the sudden my screen went dark
But I refused to turn into a snark.
Away to the Mac Store I flew like a flash
Tore open the GPS and itched with a rash
The moon on the breast of the Palm Desert sand
Gave a luster of hope I could not “comprehand”
When what to my wandering eyes should appear
But the La Quinta Mac Store to soothe all my fear(s)
Since they couldn’t meet my Genius Bar needs
They set me up in El Paso after my incessant plea(d)s
A Saturday appointment gave me Sunday to work
I tweaked and adjusted through all of the murk
And laying a finger aside of my nose
I hit the send button, but not with my toes
And all I can say as I send this to writers
Is I hope good results come to all verbal fighters.
http://www.writeradvice.com
Author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers
What if I was a really stupid 16 year old when a scam artist “published” my novel. Since then, I’ve changed the entire plot. The only similarities are the names. Would that novel be fair game?
Comment
It sounds to me like you’ve created a whole new novel. Many names are used for a variety of characters in a variety of books. Do you think you’re ready to send it out?
Lynn
http://www.writeradvice.com
I’m sorry, Laura, without knowing if the ISBN is terminated or the rights reverted or how much of the book has been changed, you may not enter it in Pitch Wars. Do you have another manuscript that you can enter?
Comment
Good point. Obviously I misread or misunderstood the question. Sorry for any confusion.
I just found out about this from my writers conference when will the first round be for 2016. I know someone who got a mentor and I know it’s too late for me but can you tell me when it begins for 2016 ?