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Pitfalls
- Don’t reveal the ending. Ever.
- The pitch works as a teaser. It is meant to pique the interest of the reader, not spoil them.
- Only discuss the main characters, not all of them.
- Your book is about your main character, not the side characters.
- If you have multiple point-of-view characters, you’ll mention the ones most important to the plot.
- If you have a romance, you’ll mention the main couple or main character and love interest.
- Stakes. Stakes. Stakes. Don’t forget the stakes.
- Don’t get bogged down in side plots or extraneous details.
- Remember, you only have 300 words.
Tips
- Start with your character. Think about who they are, and what they want most in the world.
- Then think about the worst thing that could happen to them if they don’t get that thing.
- Then brainstorm a scenario that is perfectly suited to destroy them. That forces them to rise to the occasion and change as a person.
- Pick up your favorite book and read the back cover.
- How did it get your interest? What about this book made you want to read it?
- Draw inspiration from your favorite stories or from your real life.
- Comps.
- Start smashing your favorite books and movies and fairytales together. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown meets They Both Die at the End = Vampires, Hearts, and Other Dead Things.
- Market research.
- Recently published books are the best indicator of what’s trendy.
- Epic Reads, Goodreads, YA Books Central, Melanin in YA, Publishers Weekly.
- Recently adapted to film is also a good indicator of what’s about to get trendy again.
