April 26, 2007Reader Story ~ I Spoke, They Listened

Here’s a hug from Las Vegas, but be careful.  I might squeeze you too tightly!  I am floating on the clouds these days because I opened my mouth and shared my idea in public.

And they didn’t laugh.

And they didn’t shush me.

And they LOVED it!

I have been writing fiction, under wraps, for several years.  I finally told my husband about it last year.  I finally screwed up enough courage to join a Writer’s Group and sign up for the Las Vegas Writer’s Conference.  And I WENT!  I was so scared and intimidated, but I went.

I wasn’t going to pitch my idea because my novel isn’t finished, but the staff encouraged me to pitch, just for practice.  Well, I agreed to try and pitch to two agents and a publisher.  One of the agents, Sheree Bykofsky, was looking for fiction from women writers, so I was interested in pitching to her.  Unfortunately, her schedule was full and so was the waiting list.

On the first day,  I sat in on one of Ms. Bykofsky’s sessions about why an author needs an agent, and she came right out and said:  “If your book isn’t finished, don’t waste my time.  Finish it first, then query me.”  So I was happy I hadn’t gotten a slot at her table.  Then a miracle happened.

She cut her presentation short and told us to practice our pitches on our neighbor.  Mine was awful!  I was disorganized and nervous and rambling.  A few minutes later at the end of the practice session, she told us the five sentences she wanted to hear in a pitch, and only those five.  I scribbled them down as quickly as I could.  Then she asked for volunteers for a PITCH SLAM, where one of us would pitch to her and the class would pick it apart.

Pippi raised my hand. (I could tell it was Pippi because it was my LEFT hand.  I usually have my right hand very tightly controlled!)  So Ms. Bykofsky pointed to me and said I got points for bravery.  Pippi and I started reading (without taking a good breath, I might add) and blurted out my pitch.  When we finished, Ms. Bykofsky said, “Perfect!  If your book was finished, I’d ask you to send it to me.  In fact, go ahead and send it when you do finish.  Here’s my card.”  At least that’s what everyone sitting around me told me she said.  I couldn’t hear anything for the pounding of my heart and the blood rushing in my ears.  But, I do have her card!

I pitched to another agent and a publisher and was asked to submit when I finish.

I did it.  AND I AM PROUD!!!!  (Now I just have to write the book!)

Thank you for helping me find the courage to say what was in my heart.