Published on Thursday, 19 May 2022 at 12:22:00 PM

Join us for The Story Pitch at Storytellers Festival

Writers of all stages and ages, bring your story ideas to a panel of writers and editors and get some tips on what to do next. Budding writers will have three minutes each to give their elevator pitch and receive feedback. Whether you’re ready to pitch and are looking for feedback, or you’re just testing the waters of the literary world, or you just want to listen in on some pitches, The Story Pitch is for you! Your pitch can be for a work of any genre or medium: picture book, novel, graphic novel, or even a screenplay!

This is a fun and interactive session that is also intended to be a professional opportunity - a chance for you to try out your pitch on an audience and receive feedback.

Why do I have to submit my pitch beforehand?

This isn’t mandatory, but it does give us an idea of numbers pitching on the day, and also gives the panel a chance to read pitches beforehand to give the best feedback in the small amount of time allocated.

How will it work on the day?

The Story Pitch will begin at 3:45pm and run for forty-five minutes. Those pitching will take their turn at the microphone and their three minutes will begin. A bell will sound when your three minutes is up. Once everyone’s pitches are done, The Literature Centre Director, Elizabeth Spencer, will choose the winning pitch and two runners-up.

Who will I be pitching to?

On the panel will be Fremantle Press editors Cate Sutherland and Kirsty Horton, and artists Cath Moore, Tina Wilson, James Foley, Gabriel Evans, Matt Ottley, and Meg McKinlay, plus an audience of willing listeners! 

What is an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is a short statement of what your story is about. It should be clear, concise and catchy - enough to give an editor or publisher the idea of your story as you ride in an elevator with them!

Do you have any pitching tips?

 Your pitch should give the audience a clear idea of your characters, the plot of the story, and leave us wanting to know more. We recommend keeping your pitch to about one minute to give the panel time to ask any questions they may have.

Cate Sutherland and Kirsty Horton, editors at Fremantle Press, say: 

• Good pitches, like good stories, have a beginning, a middle and an end. 
• There is no one pitch fits all – you need to be able to tailor your story for a variety of different audiences. If you’re pitching to a particular publisher that means knowing who that publisher is, what books they publish and what they say they are looking for. Never pitch your manuscript without first reading the submission guidelines. Always tweak your pitch so that you’re highlighting the aspects that will most appeal to that particular publisher.
• We recommend reading the books the publisher you are targeting actually publishes. Your work needs to be able to stand on its own merits and you should be able to craft a strong written pitch.

• Do you know who your audience is? Do you know where your book will sit on the bookshelf? Why is your book unique? Why are you passionate about this story? Can you summarise your plot in 20 seconds? Are you open to editorial advice? These are all things to think about and be ready to talk about before you go to the meeting.

Anything else to remember? 

Have fun! This is a chance to meet and network with like-minded people and have a go at pitching your story and share the world inside your head with other eager readers and writers. Whether you’re 10 or 100, we can’t wait to hear your ideas.

If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to bianca.breen@thelitcentre.org.au

Please don't forget to reserve a ticket to The Story Pitch via Eventbrite.

Submit your Pitch

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