Do you feel ready to pitch your book to a publisher, but something is holding you back? Join Jon Tattrie, editor of Atlantic Books Today, for a front-row seat into the minds of publishers. Jon has published eight books with three regional publishers. As the editor of ABT, he regularly works with the 40 publishers active in Atlantic Canada. He knows what they want, and how to frame your book in a way that gives it the best chance of getting out of the dreaded slush pile and onto an editor’s desk. We’ll talk elevator pitches, book proposals, agents, regional vs national, and answer all of your questions about the publishing world in 2024.

Do you have a manuscript burning a hole in your sock drawer, aching to be published? This might be your chance. At Pitch the Publisher, selected writers each have three minutes to stand at a microphone and pitch their manuscripts to a panel of publishers, in front of an audience. Publishers have five minutes to respond with feedback. Open to writers aged 18 and up.

How to enter:  Describe your manuscript in two sentences or less. This means sum up your manuscript. eg. “A boy adopts a dinosaur only to discover it wants to eat his large family… and how boy meets this challenge”,  etc.

Additionally, include these points:

– the genre

– the intended audience and why anyone would want to read it

– explain why you are the most qualified person to write it – and write it well. (This may include writing experience, awards or other recognition, writing classes or other ways you have practised the profession.)

– any other information you believe pertinent

– include your working title (publishers often change titles) at the top of each page of the entry, and your name and contact information. You may use your word processing program to insert this information in a header, or add it manually.

Keep your submission short – two letter-size pages max. This is NOT your actual pitch, but a proposal to pitch.

Send your proposal (not your manuscript) and your contact information to Read by the Sea Pitch the Publisher by May 15, 2024. You may email your proposal using the Contact Us form on the festival website www.readbythesea.ca;  by Messenger on the Read by the Sea Facebook page; or send to [email protected].

A jury will select up to 10 entries that are most likely to succeed. Selected “pitchers” will be contacted in time to prepare for their July 6 presentations at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in River John.

The actual pitches: Those who gain a spot at Pitch the Publisher must prepare a three-minute spoken pitch to deliver to a panel of publishers’ representatives. Practise in front of a mirror or with a friend until you are happy with it – covering the points listed above. Also, prepare a package for each publisher (usually three). It should include a printed copy of the information from your spoken pitch, your contact information, and a one-two page sample of your writing.  Put each copy in a separate envelope or folder labelled with your name, contact information and the working title of your pitch/manuscript. Hand it to the Registrar upon arrival – which should be at least 15 minutes before the pitching time allotted to you. Be quiet while entering so as not to disturb the process.

When it is your turn to pitch, approach the microphone and start your pitch. You will get a warning from the timekeeper at the two-minute mark, and you must stop at the three minute notice. Stay at the microphone to answer questions from the panel.

Be prepared to go on early in case another pitcher doesn’t show up on time.

You may bring family and friends with you to sit in the audience.  You – and they – are welcome to stay for the whole event, and to participate in other Read by the Sea events that day. No admission is charged.