#WMPitch

#WMPitch

Below are our usual instructions for #WMPitch – they are similar to many other pitching contests on Twitter.

But this year, we’re introducing something different – an X-Factor to make the day even more exciting!

As well as our usual agents and editors browsing the hashtag and liking tweets, the WriteMentor team (5 of us) will also check out the pitches and like up to 10 pitches each.

Those pitches we like will be invited to send their first 3 chapters or full PB text to us, and we’ll each pick a winner (5 in total) who will receive a free submission package report (3 chapters, letter and synopsis for novels and full text and letter for PB).

How does it work? Simply send us a DM if we like your pitch and we’ll DM you back the form to submit.

If I get a like, when will I know? We’ll email the 5 lucky winners once we’ve read all the entries, and Melissa will pair you up with an available editor. If you have not heard back by the 6th May, assume you haven’t been selected.

Wait, isn’t this just another way for us to all feel rejected? I totally understand that sentiment. We discussed this a lot and just felt on the balance of it, doing a wee bonus like this was nicer than the void of emptiness that sometimes follows a pitch contest. 50 of you will feel better as we picked your pitch out from thousands of others. 5 of you will feel amazing as you get the feedback. We just want to create a bit more happiness and it’s not our intention to create more disappointment.

Ultimately your first goal is probably to get the attention of an agent or editor. This extra thing is a consolation.

---

Date: 29th April, 2022

Where: Twitter

When: 8am-8pm (BST)

Who: all unagented writers of Children’s Fiction from PB to YA

How: simply post your tweet length pitch using the hashtag #WMPitch and if an agent likes your pitch, go to their profile and follow their submission instructions (full details/rules below)

As always with WriteMentor, please make the tone and atmosphere of the day be one of altruism, kindness and encouragement.

Do RT pitches you love the sound of and do reply to give words of encouragement/praise.

HOWEVER, do NOT like posts, unless you are an agent/editors. I know from experience that writers sit and wait for a like on their pitches and you can raise the hopes of a friend, only for them to be let down, by a careless click.

Rules

• All pitches must be 1 tweet in length (please leave characters for hashtags).
• Threads are not allowed.
• You do not need to include the title of your manuscript.
• All pitches must be tweeted between 8am-8pm (BST) on 29th April, 2022.
• They should not include images/GIFs or screenshot text – even if it’s an illustration from the book you’re pitching.
• Do not include links to WattPad or any other website where your manuscript can be found, or your own author website.
• They must be for a completed, polished children’s manuscript.
• That includes PB (Picture Books), CB (Chapters Books), MG (Middle Grade) and YA (Young Adult) in any genre.
• A hashtag guide is below to indicate which age category/genre your pitch is for.
• Only use the hashtag when pitching – do not use it at any other time, even when replying/RTing please.
• Comps (comparative titles) are useful but not essential.
• You may pitch the same project up to 3 times but each pitch must be different.
• You may pitch multiple projects (but up to 3 times each).
• We’d recommend spacing pitches out throughout the day to ensure better chance of being seen – busy times are 9am, Midday and 5pm – so try to schedule pitches away from those peak times.
• RTs and replies are encouraged.
• Likes are only for AGENTS.
• To pitch, you should be unagented.
• You may be published, but should not be pitching your published story.
• Self-published authors can pitch, but not with a pitch for a self-published story.
• If an agent likes your pitch, you should look at their pinned tweet on their profile for instructions on what to send and where.
• You should send this as soon as possible.
• If the agent has rejected this manuscript previously, it’s worth noting this when emailing them, but still do get in touch as they may well be waiting for you to do so and maintaining excellent relationships with industry professionals is important, if you wish to work with them in the future.
• However, you do not have to send your manuscript to an agent if you have no interest in being represented by them.

Instructions for agents taking part

There is no need to register or get in touch with us. Simply go online anytime during the day and use the hashtag(s) to find some great pitches.

If you like the sound of any, you can like the tweet, and also pin a tweet on your own profile, with instructions on how the writers can submit to you (this can just be a link to your usual submission instructions).

Hashtag guide for writers to use to allow easier filtering for agents

We recommend using hashtags to help agents identify the age category/genre of your book. These are a good selection to get us started. You will of course be able to elaborate in any letter you send to agents who like your pitch, so don’t feel you have to over-use the hashtags either.

We’ve also included a couple of extra hashtags for the PB writers to indicate a rhyming text or if they are also illustrators.

#PB = Picture Book

#CB = Chapter book

#MG = Middle Grade

#YA = Young Adult

#LGBT = LGBTQIA+ subject matter

#MH = Mental Health subject matter

#DIS = Disability subject matter

#ND = Neurodiverse subject matter

#STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics subject matter

#Rh = Rhyming (for PBs)

#Ill = for author/illustrators (for PBs)

#AD = Adventure

#C = Contemporary

#F = Fantasy

#Fu = Funny

#H = Historical

#H = Horror

#MR = Magical Realism

#M = Mystery

#R = Romance

#SF = Science Fiction

#SPF = Speculative Fiction

*Please remember that anyone on Twitter can pose as an agent, so please do due diligence before sending your work to anyone who likes your tweet. If in doubt, ask around first.

Good luck to all pitchers – and May the Force be with you!

(And do let us know if #WMPitch ends up matching you with an agent you sign with! We love success stories over here at WriteMentor!)