The Pros and Cons of Pitch Conferences and the Search for an Agent

Mar 6

Let’s start with the big question: Do all writers need an agent?

No.

If you a writer who wants to be welcomed by publishers whose gates are kept by agents, yes, you need to find and woo someone who will fairly represent you and get you past those gates.

But if you are a writer who is fine about small presses, hybrids, or indie publishing, skip this week’s post (or read it just out of curiosity).

I’ve been both (all) routes in my publishing career. I started out with an agent for my early books. He was very useful in getting my third book published by a larger publisher (before the Big Five were named such) and it sold very well as a result. When he retired I didn’t have an agent for a long time and my books still got published and sold well, one in the 30-40,000 copy range, another that publisher’s bestseller of the year. Then I decided I wanted to try the agent game again. So it’s been an educational journey.

If you’re wanting in the game, too, we’re going to talk about one of the best training grounds for agent shopping: pitch conferences. Lots of pros and cons. Read on.

What are pitch conferences?

Pitch conferences give writers an opportunity to (1) meet and talk with agents and (2) get feedback on pages from their manuscript. They are in-person or online gatherings hosted by writing organizations or schools where writers meet agents, editors, and publishers, ideally to connect and find the perfect match. Dozens happen each year. (Scroll down to the weekly exercise to see a list of links to explore.)

Do many writers actually find their ideal agent match at pitch conferences? I only know a tiny handful of writers who have. One of my former clients met her agent at a pitch conference and signed not long after. Another got positive responses from three and finally (a few years later) signed with one of them.

But it’s best, in my view, to see pitch conferences as a perfect way to train yourself get real about agents. What agents are all about. What they look for. What shape your manuscript needs to be in to attract one. Where it is now.

What you get from pitching

First, you get to see how close your manuscript is to being ready.

Sure, your writers group loves it. You’ve worked on it for years. But is it really ready for the big publishing world? I learned from my first handful of pitch conferences that while my story idea was very good, the actual story construction was weak. I met with a wonderful agent at one of these who actually took time to educate me. Go back to your revising, she said. And she gave me a little list of exactly what had to change.

The conference was local, so it didn’t cost me travel or hotel. It was less than $100 to register and sign up for an agent pitch. For that, I got professional feedback. Totally worth it, even though it was an ego blow at the time.

Some writers attend pitch conferences just for this education. To hear agents talk about the publishing world can be a real eye opener.

Preparing for a pitch

I learned how important it was to research the agents who will be attending and read about their lists (the authors and books they represent). Once I got to know an agent from their website and blog and social media, I could better determine if they’d be a good match for my work.

One of my former clients who attends pitch conferences regularly likes to research Publishers Lunch (PublishersMarketplace.com) as well as each agent’s blog and interviews before signing up for pitches. “When an agent available at the conference seemed especially promising,” she says, “I read at least parts of one of the novels that agent represented.” In the query letter she prepares for the pitch, she references similarities with her own book, a focus on art, music, magic, etc.

Another author of nine books was looking for a new agent after his retired. He went to a conference with two projects in mind to pitch, one a literary novel and the other a book of essays. Before the pitch conference, he wrote out descriptions of both books and practiced presenting them. As a teacher and performer, he says he’s comfortable speaking on literature. “But it’s different when you’re presenting your own work,” he told me. “I have to present a context for the complexities of my vision yet do it in a five-minute pitch.”

He called the experience of a pitch session similar to “the agonies of speed dating.”

What to bring

There’s more to pitch conferences than snagging an agent, too. Many writers attend to update themselves on the publishing industry and what editors are looking for in books today. Or hearing from agents about the business as well. Many times, conferences attract new agents looking to build their list. New agents, especially in a recognized agency, may have more time and energy to devote to you.

A big question I often got from my clients and students: Should I bring my manuscript to the conference? No. You may be more than ready to hand the whole package to an agent who expresses even the slightest interest, but agents almost never take home manuscripts.

If they want to read a sample, they’ll hand you contact information and how to send it. When you feel ready, you can email them your pages from home.

Read the requirements for each conference. Are you sending in sample pages ahead of time and what is the deadline? Are you pitching for two minutes or five (micro- or macro-speed-dating)? Have something to hand agents, like a card with your contact information and a short blurb about your book—this idea came from one of my students who found it very useful for followup.

Another colleague said: Bring snacks and water. Stay rested and hydrated. Most conferences include great panels, workshops, and other events along with the pitch sessions. Pace yourself so you reserve your best energy for that face to face with agents.

If agents are interested

When you get a spark, if an agent expresses interest in seeing more of your manuscript, it usually means the idea or something about your timing and topic fits what they are looking for. It doesn’t mean you’ve got a firm commitment. I’ve had many agents receive my pitch extremely well but not my manuscript when I sent it later.

That is great information too—the idea is good, the concept sound, but the book isn’t yet ready. Don’t stop your agent search just because one or more agents expressed interest at a conference. I found it heartbreaking at first, to get such a positive response in person then be rejected later by email. After a while, after a lot of pitches, I learned more about the longevity needed for the agent game.

I finally got my new agent, the one I’m signed with now, outside of any pitch conference. But everything I learned at all the conferences I attended, served me well to get that final yes.