Pitch Perfect
As all authors know, it's hard to break into the publishing game.
It's not over once you've completed your best-selling manuscript. You need to research, write dozens of query letters, synopses, send them off and then wait for an email, which doesn't arrive half the time. Bookings have now opened for single and extra pitch sessions with publishers and agent! You can book a maximum of two pitch sessions. Don’t delay—spots are limited and will go fast! Pitch sessions will be held on Friday October 28 and Saturday October 29. Each pitcher will have strictly 10 minutes to pitch. Pitch sessions are private, and one-on-one. |
Stuff you need to know...
When: 15, 22, 28/29 October
Where: Armidale Single spot: $120 for members, $135 for non-members Extra Spot: $85 Full Package extra, $95 NEWC member extra (who haven't booked the full package), $110 non-member, non full package Preparation workshop: $100 members, $120 non-member, $80 youth (under 18) Panel session: $45 members, $55 non-members, $25 youth Important: after booking you must notify the Pitch Perfect co-ordinators what you are planning to pitch, including whether it’s for children, young adults or for adults, so that we can match you with the perfect publisher/agent fit. To do this, contact the co-ordinators at newcpartners@gmail.com. |
The Full Package — Bookings now closed
Saturday 15 October:
10:30—3:30 Lunch included.
A full day of three mini-workshops presented by local literary professionals, covering several aspects of preparing yourself, and your work, to best advantage before your pitch.
Workshop 1: Editing
Is your manuscript in the best shape it could be? Experienced editor Beattie 'Chopper' Alvarez takes you through some common challenges.
Workshop 2: Synopses, outlines and query letters
Popular author Bronwyn Parry explains how to craft the best ‘hooks’
Workshop 3: Preparing to pitch
Well-known author Sophie Masson will take you through the logistics and do’s and don’ts of pitching to prepare you for your big day.
10:30—3:30 Lunch included.
A full day of three mini-workshops presented by local literary professionals, covering several aspects of preparing yourself, and your work, to best advantage before your pitch.
Workshop 1: Editing
Is your manuscript in the best shape it could be? Experienced editor Beattie 'Chopper' Alvarez takes you through some common challenges.
Workshop 2: Synopses, outlines and query letters
Popular author Bronwyn Parry explains how to craft the best ‘hooks’
Workshop 3: Preparing to pitch
Well-known author Sophie Masson will take you through the logistics and do’s and don’ts of pitching to prepare you for your big day.
Saturday October 22:
10:30—12:30
A panel of established local authors will share their experiences of successful pitching, with Q and A included. The panel will feature Ian Irvine, Helena Pastor, Bronwyn Parry, and Fiona McDonald. Chaired by Peter Creamer. A wonderful opportunity to ask authors from a wide range of genres what has worked for them and what hasn’t.
Friday 28 — Saturday 29 October:
Pitch Perfect participants will be able to pitch their work directly in private 10 minute sessions with at least one of five major visiting publishing professionals, including four publishers and an agent.
For the pitches, preference will be given those who have bought the full 3-week package.
10:30—12:30
A panel of established local authors will share their experiences of successful pitching, with Q and A included. The panel will feature Ian Irvine, Helena Pastor, Bronwyn Parry, and Fiona McDonald. Chaired by Peter Creamer. A wonderful opportunity to ask authors from a wide range of genres what has worked for them and what hasn’t.
Friday 28 — Saturday 29 October:
Pitch Perfect participants will be able to pitch their work directly in private 10 minute sessions with at least one of five major visiting publishing professionals, including four publishers and an agent.
For the pitches, preference will be given those who have bought the full 3-week package.
The Professionals
Meredith Curnow, publisher, Penguin Random House
My first role in the world of books and writing was at the Australian Publishers Association, where I gained a broad overview of publishing from the company side. Then I took on my first role where I saw the world from the writer’s perspective. I became the inaugural director of the newly formed, free-standing Sydney Writers’ Festival that is now held each year in May. It was the job of a lifetime. I left the festival to take up a publishing role at Random House, where every day — working across fiction and non-fiction on the Knopf and Vintage lists — my job remains different and stimulating. Writers I work with include Tom Keneally, Gail Jones, David Malouf, Jane Abbott, Stephen Dando-Collins, Don Watson, Tegan Bennett Daylight, Yassmin Abdel-Magied and Frank Moorhouse. I am the chair of the Australia Council/APA Residential Editorial Program and am on the board of Express Media. What Meredith is looking for: Good writing | great voices | strong ideas, across both adult fiction and non-fiction. 
Clare Hallifax, Publisher, Scholastic Australia
Clare Hallifax has spent over 25 years in publishing. For the last five years, Clare has been at Scholastic Australia, where she is currently the publisher of Omnibus Books fiction list and co-Publisher, with Ana Vivas, of Omnibus' picture book list. Publishing wasn’t a surprising career choice, having spent her childhood with her nose in books, topping and tailing everyone, including every last letter of imprint pages, fascinated by the whole process of writing and publishing. Clare's first job in the industry was editing primary science texts, and “fact-checking” by standing on one foot, or messing about with rubber bands. Clare has had the distinct privilege and pleasure or working with some of the esteemed names of Australian children’s publishing but is equally excited by discovering new voices, new talent. There is nothing quite like the magical feeling of that immediate immersion in a story – and the world slipping away. It’s the joy of being a children’s publisher, and a reader! What Clare is looking for: Junior fiction 6+, and 8+, funny and fresh | Historical fiction, readers 9+ , Australian focused, and uncovering interesting and untold stories, could be novels, or even a series with an historical setting | YA, edgy, moving, and/or funny | Picture books – I’m very keen to find upcoming Indigenous creators for picture books (and junior fiction) Many thanks to our sponsor!
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Jodie Webster, Associate Publisher, Allen and Unwin
Jodie Webster is an Associate Publisher of Books for Children & Young Adults at Allen & Unwin. She and her colleagues publish an internationally acclaimed list of original and innovative picture books, junior fiction, middle-grade and young adult titles. Jodie has worked extensively with a range of Australian authors and illustrators including Shaun Tan, Margo Lanagan, Justine Larbalestier, Scott Westerfeld, Barry Jonsberg, David Metzenthen, Lili Wilkinson, Neil Grant, Penni Russon, Kate Constable, Paul Jennings, Clare Strahan, Tohby Riddle and Nicki Greenberg. What Jodie is looking for: Teen & YA novels | originality | authentic voices | compelling themes | engaging characters & well-realised worlds | Tara Wynne, literary agent, Curtis Brown
Tara Wynne joined Curtis Brown UK in 1998, and moved to Curtis Brown Australia as a Literary Agent in January 2002. She represents a broad range of writers from commercial (romance, thrillers, crime, fantasy) literary fiction and non-fiction (travel, memoir, history, self-help) to young adult fiction and children’s illustrators. In her spare time she loves reading ‘real’ books on the road to great places! What Tara is looking for: Tara loves historical fiction such as Geraldine Brooks, Hannah Kent and classics like Angela Carter and Jeanette Winterson. Early Readers (5-7 year olds) | Middle Grade (8-12) | Picture books | Some children’s non-fiction | Good memoir/non-fiction and book club fiction would be great | Good writing | commercial and accessible with page-turning quality is the key. No over-descriptive meandering narratives please! No YA fantasy (in fact, not taking on YA generally at the moment) Lucy Bell, editor, Pantera Press
Lucy Bell has a Master of Publishing degree as well as majors in English and Ancient History. Along with editorial skills, Lucy brings experience in marketing, publicity, design and graphics editing. With Pantera Press since 2014, she aims to foster longstanding relationships with our talented authors and feels privileged to work with such a creative, passionate and innovative team helping to curate top quality books. When she’s not helping our authors polish off their latest stories, Lucy is actively involved in the search for our next glittering new Aussie gem straight from the Pantera Press diamond mine of manuscripts. Lucy has worked with a number of Pantera Press authors including John M. Green, Sulari Gentill, Graham Potts, Melanie Casey, B. Michael Radburn and Wanda Wiltshire. What Lucy is looking for: Commercial fiction in the genres of romance, chick-lit, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, YA, thriller, crime, adventure and drama. Most importantly, clean, easy reads! More specifically, I want to discover the next Nora Roberts, Jojo Moyes or E. L. James – a new take on conventional romance with interesting characters and an original storyline. |
