This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Ben Wood is the LitFactor and Authoright Projects Manager. He is in charge of the LitFactor event in the Author’s Lounge at this year’s London Book Fair, and has answered some questions for us about how to get the most out of it.
Do you have any advice to help us put together our
pitches for The LitFactor Pitch?
Yes. Rehearse! If you cannot speak articulately and passionately – without being over the top or cliched – about your own work you can't really expect anyone else to catch fire over it. All authors worth their salt should be able to trot out an engaging teaser designed entirely to whet an agent's – or a reader's – appetite. It's definitely something you should try to hone; this is also useful in case you get nervous on the day as they more you practice the more convincing you'll sound, even if your knees are knocking.
Be commercially aware – by that I mean demonstrate your knowledge of your book's intended market and how you would, as the author, play a key role in connecting with that market – and don't try to get bogged down in the detail of your work. Too much information simply doesn't translate or resonate when an individual is hearing it for the first time. Be natural, confident, enthusiastic about your own work but clearly switched on in terms of the bigger picture.
Our friend at Curtis Brown, Gordon Wise, said recently that he was looking for authors who were clearly able to play a part in the marketing of their books and who could become, in effect, a business partner to the publisher he sold their work to. There's a lot to think about these days but even if you're not the most networked or business savvy author don't fret; ultimately, if you have a story with impact and originality and you can communicate to the agent an urgency that makes them want to dive head first into the manuscript, then the rest can wait. Also, don't forget to smile.
Will we get to talk to Agents and other professionals informally, or will it all be scheduled talks?
In the seminar space at The LBF AuthorLounge there will be Q&A's at the end of each session, so make sure you get a question in to the agent – or any other speaker – you want to hear from; wave your hand in the air to attract the Book Fair helper with the roving microphone! There are two literary agent seminars – check our microsite for details. In arranging the event, Authoright has been asking contributors to stay behind for a bit after their talks, wherever possible, to answer further questions from visitors.
What if we'd already had dealings with that agent and they'd turned down our work?
Authors are often rejected simply because their pitch is inaccurate or poorly delivered so this is a great opportunity to really finesse what you're offering to an agent. All the agents involved are really excited about the event and connecting with writers in this way. It's not something anyone should be focusing on.
Will editors, or agents or anyone, really, read parts of our books/MSs there and then?
Within The AuthorLounge itself there will be some more informal 'Ask an Editor' workshops where authors can drop by – on their own or in smaller groups – and talk through their manuscript with a seasoned editor, reviewing any problems they are having, and yes, the editor will be able to take a look through the first chapter or so, then and there. At The LitFactor Pitch each author has just fifteen minutes to hook their agent, so looking through the whole thing wouldn't be a good use of time. That said, you'll be leaving the agent with your submissions pack which they will look at in more detail once the event is over.
After The LBF, will you have Socials in the summer, where we can meet and drink wine and reminisce about the first LitFactor Pitch?
Whilst we don't have anything planned right now – organising such a substantial event within The London Book Fair has been a massive undertaking in itself – we'll definitely start working on future author events (with and without wine) as soon as this event is over. We always like to hear from authors in terms of what they'd like us to help them with, so any ideas or requests are welcome.
Thanks Ben!
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