How to Pitch an Agent In-Person

Last weekend, I ripped off the Band-Aid and started the pitching process for my upmarket women’s fiction novel, tentatively titled The Teachers’ Lounge. Rather than start this process with cold querying, the more common route, I began this process by pitching an agent in person.

Not terrifying at all, right? 😅

I’ll spoil the ending for you; the experience ended in success. I got a full manuscript request. 

I want you to find success as well, so I thought I’d share what I did and what I learned from this experience.

Pitch Preparation

I did not trust my improvisational techniques and just show up to the pitch. I practiced. First, I took my query letter, which I’d already spent months on, and read it aloud verbatim a few times to familiarize myself with the language I already decided was apt for describing my novel.

Next, I set the query aside and started saying it out loud. Without looking at the query, I was forced to really think about what I was saying, not just reciting words on an index card. I kept bouncing back between looking at the query letter and reciting it, then looking away and talking more casually. I did this while standing up, sitting down, and while driving on the way to the pitch session. Practice makes permanent!

As I practiced speaking aloud, I began to speak more conversationally about my pitch and my comp titles. I also went “off-script” and practiced an informal introduction to the agent, making sure to mention aspects about their manuscript wishlist that matched my own.

I also timed my verbal pitch to make sure it didn’t run too long. I only had ten minutes with this agent, and I wanted ample time to have an actual conversation with them and answer any questions they had.

So, in some ways, I spent about a week preparing my in-person pitch, but I spent months before that crafting a solid query letter, and years before that crafting a solid novel. All of these aspects of the novel-writing process are intricately connected. 

Showtime: The Pitch

A little bit of luck was in my favor: I got a morning slot. As a morning person, this was perfect, and it meant I could get the stressful part of my day over with and then enjoy the rest of the writing workshop.

When I walked into the hotel conference room, I was reminded of a college or job fair setting. There were about ten tables set up with agents sitting at each, and then a chair across from them, waiting for us novelists to pitch our hearts. 

I shook my agent’s hand, first asking if she was comfortable with that, and then I sat, a big smile on my face. I made a little small talk, sharing my relief to get a morning session with her and letting her know I was excited to pitch her because I knew she knew she had a passion for the Midwest. 

Then, I dove into my pitch, which took about three minutes.

After I was done, I smiled again and thanked her for listening, then told her I was welcome to answer any questions she had.

That left about seven minutes for a conversation, and it was great.

A Conversation with the Agent

First, the agent said it was a great pitch. Then, she shared some practical advice. My word count is a little on the high side at 94K for women’s fiction. Not completely out of the realm, but it’s pushing it. She offered that 89K would be a bit safer.

This was likely a test to see how I handle constructive criticism. I aced it.

I agreed with her (and not just because I thought I should). I explained that the version that went out to beta readers was 89K and that I’d received feedback that I needed more interiority, which resulted in the higher word count. I purposefully used the lingo (beta reader and interiority) to show I’m a professional, and I understand this world. She engaged thoughtfully back and said she suspected what I had added was relevant and needed, and the next step would be to cut back in other areas. She said editors appreciated it when a novel is already in that sweet spot for word count. This was helpful advice and great insight into the relationship between an agent and editor.

She also shared that she thought my comp titles were smart. I was excited to hear this because I took a little risk with one of them: while one of my comps is women’s fiction, the other is contemporary fiction with a similar structure to mine. It was affirming to hear that my pairing worked. 

Then, she asked me a question that I wasn’t expecting, but was excited to answer: Why did I write this novel? This gave me a chance to share my passion for the story and why I am the right person to tell it. 

After hearing my why, she said she was intrigued and would love to read the full manuscript.

All smiles, I thanked her for her time and sent my manuscript to her the next day. 

What Got Me the Full Manuscript Request

Preparation and passion.

Technically, this was years of prep work. Write the novel. Get clear on what it’s about and who it’s for. Believe in your work and yourself. If you’re passionate about your work, the agent has a better chance of being excited too.

Now What?

I wait. I can expect to wait weeks, even months. That’s okay. Agents are busy. They’re inundated with queries and work with their current clients.

I also begin cold querying. I sent out my first batch of query letters this week. Because even though I did receive a full manuscript request, this is very much a numbers game. There’s no guarantee I’ll get an offer of representation. In fact, the odds tell me I won’t. Rather than despair, though, this knowledge helps me remain a realistic optimist (I think the terms can co-exist). I know what I’ve created is strong, and I want to get it into as many hands as possible to increase my odds of getting an offer of representation. 

Multiple offers of representation? What a dream that would be.

This optimistic realist allows herself to dream.

Let Me Help You

Did you know I offer Agent-Ready Pitch Coaching? This includes feedback on your query, synopsis, and the first 20 pages of your manuscript. You can learn more about that here. 

Not to brag (I’m totally bragging: I’m like a proud mama), but my clients have received full manuscript requests in their first round of querying. 

Want help practicing your in-person or virtual pitch? Let’s do a 60-minute coaching call. I’ll answer any questions you have specific to your project and practice your in-person pitch with you. The cost? Only $99. Book this on your calendar now. 

All smiles after pitching an agent in-person and getting a full manuscript request.