And that’s it!
2016 Pitch Wars picks have been
announced! Woohoo!
Huge congratulations to the
mentee/mentor matches. From all of us, we wish you luck and send writing power
your way!
But for those of you who didn’t make
it, this blog is for you. Actually, scrap that. This blog is for any writer out
there, now and in the future, who has been knocked back, rejected, or just didn’t
get the feedback they were hoping for.
Right now, you might not want to
hear it, and that’s just cool. But, bookmark this page, because what follows is
advice and wise words that you surely need to hear and absorb. Not one writer
on this planet, and maybe others too, hasn’t been knocked back at some point in
their career, and who are likely to be knocked back again in the future. We’re
in this together. Remember that.
‘It's okay to feel disappointed, but don't stay there. You
are still a writer, and your stories are still awesome. This is one step in a
really long journey to get published. So eat ice-cream, drink wine, go for a
run, binge watch Vikings (that might just be me!)... do whatever you need to
do. Then wake up tomorrow and make a new plan to get your book into the world.’
–
Scarlett
Cole
‘I know it doesn't feel that way, but not getting picked
really isn't a rejection. We only get to pick one entry, and most of us loved
more than that. Not getting picked for Pitch Wars doesn't define you, but how
you react/respond could.
Also: PitchSlam starts 9/8, so send your entry for feedback on your query and pitch!’
Also: PitchSlam starts 9/8, so send your entry for feedback on your query and pitch!’
–
Laura
Heffernan
‘Everyone has a story
worth telling, but not every path to publication is the same. Not getting into
one contest doesn't change the fact that you still have a story to tell, it
just means that contest won't form part of your particular journey. But there
are still numerous other ways to get there. So pause for a moment to regroup if
you need to, eat some cake and/or low-fat pickles (or both), binge watch your
favorite TV show, and then take the next step, whatever that might be. Because
the only way to get there is to keep moving forward.’
–
Wade
Albert White
‘I didn't get into
PitchWars, but I got "the call" the day after mentees were announced.
Every journey is unique--don't let this one contest define you (especially
because it's so highly subjective). Gather what feedback you can, solidify
relationships with
friends and CPs you've gained along the way, and most important of all--don't
give up. (Also: kidlit writers should keep an eye on The Winged Pen for another
opportunity to obtain feedback)’
–
Jessica
Vitalis
‘I didn't get into
PitchWars my first year, but I didn't let that stop me. I revised my MS and
went on to query it. By next year, I didn't think that MS was going anymore so
I entered PW again — with a new MS. I got a couple requests frommentors
that time around, but I had to pull my MS from consideration because I ended up
getting an offer on the Contemporary YA I entered in PW the first time (ended
up with two offers even!). Most journeys don't happen over night. Most take a
while. As long as you stick with it, you'll get there. A lot of us mentors took
multiple MSs to land an agent — and then multiple MSs on submission to land a
book deal. Not getting into PW with your MS this year is NOT a reflection on
your abilities or the quality of your book.’
–
Kim Graff
‘When I didn't get into PW
in '14. I felt horrible, that no one would ever love my MS. But a friend
reminded me that this is just one tiny bump in the road. Take the time you need
to mourn, but don't let one contest define your career. Don't let it define
YOU. There are multiple ways to get your book out there. Reread your MS one
more time, get some trusted CPs to help you with your query, and send your baby
out into the world widely. The right agent or publisher will love it as much as
you do.’
–
Marty
Mayberry
‘It hurts not to get in.
We feel for you. Remember what you love about writing, what makes those hours
pleasurable. Hold on to that joy. Nothing else matters - not getting an agent,
not getting published. Just the delight you find along the way. Hang in there.’
–
Carrie
Callaghan
‘We know how it feels to
not be picked- for contests, for agent requests, for publishers. It's normal to
be disappointed. But use what you have learned and keep writing. Keep
fine-tuning your #PitchWars project, keep percolating new ideas, keep putting
words down. Remember how subjective this industry is. If you keep writing, you
are guaranteed to not fail, because you are doing what you love.’
–
Laurie
Elizabeth Flynn
‘Not getting picked for PW
doesn't reflect on you as a writer. It's that dreaded word you will continue to
hear in this industry. Subjectivity. Take what you have learned in this
experience and KEEP WRITING. Keep moving forward. I've been
"rejected" for more
contests than I can count on one hand. What did I do? I worked on my craft,
reached out to other writers, and learned as much as I could. Don't give up,
because your moment may be right around the corner!’
–
Monica
Hoffman
‘ I wanted to cuddle so many entries. The concepts in my inbox
were amazing. You are such a talented bunch. Some of my closest writing friends
were people I met through Pitch Wars, and that’s been the biggest win of all.
Stay in touch with the Pitch Wars community because the support lasts more than
once a year.’
–
Sharon M.
Johnston
‘There is success in
having the courage to share your work. Finishing a book is an amazing
accomplishment and one that you should be very proud of. Take these next months
to polish your story and then get back out there. There are many paths to
publishing. You just have to find yours!’
–
Amy
Trueblood
‘I've judged a lot of
contests over the past few years through Romance Writers and have read hundreds
of queries from PItch Madness, Pitch Wars, and a few other blog contests. This
was the best bunch of queries and entries I've seen yet. Be proud of where you
are. So many writers have no idea where to start, or never finish even one
draft. Each step you make in this journey matters.’
–
Stephanie
Scott
‘PitchWars is just one
contest, one option, among many. I didn't get in either time I entered, and
landed my agent a month after the announcement last year. Because we can each
only accept one mentee, we have to be super subjective. This means passing over
excellent entries. If you don't get in, all it means is that this isn't your
path. Take whatever time you need, but dust yourself off and keep going,
because you will get there, but only if you keep fighting for it.
–
Laura
Brown
‘I pitched for PW twice,
wasn't picked but made some amazing writer friends, wrote a new book, got an
agent and deal and am now a mentor! PW is an amazing opportunity and contest
but that is all it is--it isn't the only way in! This industry is full of
rejection and you need a thick skin and to believe in your writing. Keep
writing and keep going!’
–
Katie
Webber Tsang
‘I wish I could squishy
hug everyone who needs it! This is such a tough business because we put so much
of ourselves into our work. And putting yourself out there like that takes such
courage. Don't let a bump in the road send you into hiding. We need everyone
in this industry! All of our beautiful differences and points of view make it a
rich and wonderful world. So lean on each other. Lean on me. Keep trying, and
keep putting yourself and your words out there. The community of writers I found
through PW is the reason I'm still writing. Hold onto your people, and keep
going.’
–
Summer
Spence
‘The most important thing
to remember is not getting into Pitch Wars has ZERO bearing on whether you will
be a published author one day! Don't let discouragement steal your joy of
writing because this industry favors grit and persistence and you will get
there if you make the choice to use every no as an alignment instead of a
rejection.’
–
Destiny
Cole
‘Right now, it’s okay to
feel low. Cry if you want, eat carbs if you really have to, but don’t take too
long about it because you have amazing stories inside you. Pull on the passion
you have for the written word. Let your heart bleed, then pick up your pen or laptop,
and get back at it. You’ve merely run into a rock, don’t allow it to become a
wall. Success awaits, go find it.’
–
E.L. Wicker
‘I didn't get into
PitchWars the first time I tried. After I squeaked in the second time, it still
took a year, and more revising, before I was offered rep. Being a writer is a
lifestyle choice. Do what you do, and persist in it. We all get down--let there
be no doubt, but try and recognize that it will pass. The only things you have
some control over, really, are your books. That doesn't change regardless of
which part of the journey you're on. You write. Do that some more.’
–
Gabrielle
K. Byrne
‘Be there for each
other...listen, learn, read, write, cp and beta read, immerse yourself not only
in your writing but in the writing community. It's the best around! It's not
perfect, but strive to make it even better with your words, your wisdom, your
heart. And know we're all here for you!’
–
Shari
Schwarz
‘Subjectivity is truly a
motherfucker. But it's one you cannot take personally. The tough part about
business meeting passion, like writing or most other arts, is that it's harder
to separate ourselves from our work because we put so damn much of ourselves
into it. It can feel like YOU are being rejected when that's not the case at
all. Contests, agents, editors, readers, this aspect of the business isn't
going to go away and you need to know that you're a badass for not only
completing a book but for putting yourself out there. For most submissions I
received, I could see a spot on my bookshelves for them--but not a way to make
them better. That's a good thing! Pitchwars was AN opportunity, not THE
opportunity. Keep going. I want to see your books on my shelves.’
–
Tamara
Mataya
‘Agents and publishers
aren't limited to one pick! I loved so many that I couldn't choose. There are a
couple of mentors this year that I passed on in 2015. It didn't stop them and
it won't stop you! Almost every successful author you know, did not get there
via Pitch Wars. Keep writing, keep submitting and keep believing!’
–
Lisa Tyre
‘All the mentors started out without
agents or publishing deals and had to climb each rung on the ladder. Every
writer has their own ladder and some may be easier than others. Focus on
writing the story that pleases you and don't worry about agents or deadlines or
what rung you're standing on.’
–
Michelle Hauck
‘So, you didn’t get picked, and that sucks.
But, to tell you the truth, I identify more with you than my mentee. Because I
am you.
I entered Pitch Wars in 2013 with a now-trunked YA fantasy. I got a
partial request (three chapters), and that was it. And, the request was from an
Adult mentor. Did I neglect to mention I had no idea if I’d written a YA or
Adult so I subbed to two mentors in each category? (BTW, this was before Brenda
tracked such a thing. Now, that is strictly prohibited.)
Here’s also what I didn’t know in 2013: What CPs were. What betas were.
What an appropriate word count was for my manuscript. That a YA with a female
protagonist should include some kind of romantic element. That YA fantasy based
in typical “medieval” type worlds with fairies and prophecies and dragons was a
hard sell.
I queried that YA, revised, queried, revised, queried, revised. A few
partial requests from agents. Nothing exciting. I had entered some other
contests in 2013, and I entered a few more in 2014, and never got chosen for
anything.
In the meantime, I started another book, an MG this time, about an idea
I couldn’t get out of my head. See, the thing about all those unsuccessful
contests is that I saw what was getting picked (need to have a hook, something
that makes your manuscript completely original), I found resources on the craft
of writing, and I saw what a successful query looked like.
In other words, I got better. I entered Query Kombat in 2014 with that
MG, and I made it to the agent round. Guess what happened there? Three requests.
One agent I never heard from, one rejected my manuscript in 24 hours, and the
other rejected within a week. Depressing? Not really. Because that contest is
where I found my CPs and betas, and they read that MG, offered suggestions, and
after revising I sent out my queries, which led to full requests, which led to
my agent in November 2014.
Oh, and did I mention that I entered that MG in Pitch Wars 2014 and got
no requests? Yep. Zero.
So, let’s circle back around. It’s the day after Pitch Wars 2016
announcements, and you didn’t get in. That sucks. But it doesn’t have to. Maybe
you’re the me of 2013 and need to learn the craft and learn the market for your
age category and then put that knowledge to work on a new manuscript. Or, maybe
you’re the me of early 2014 who finds CPs, betas, and learns how to apply those
revisions to your manuscript. Or, maybe you’re the me of late 2014, confident
in her query, confident in her manuscript, doesn’t get any requests in Pitch
Wars, but queries and finds her agent through that process.
This writing thing really is a journey. You learn along the way. I’m
still learning as I go because it doesn’t end in a pot of gold when you get an
agent. You have to write that new thing whether you sell your first thing or
not. You have to keep getting better. You should want to keep getting better.
And that’s what you do here. You look at your manuscript, figure out
where you are in the process, and do what you have to do to get to that next
level. Pitch Wars 2016 is but one teensy way to get an agent, one stop on this
journey. Take it for what it is, and keep going. We’re all on this journey with
you.
Good luck!!’
–
Kim Long
‘Know that
whatever you feel right now is appropriate and right. If you weren't chosen as
a mentee, and you feel down and awful because of it, let yourself feel that. If
you feel compelled to jump into edits and are excited, let yourself feel that.
If you want to set your MS on fire, let yourself feel that too (just umm, don't actually set your computer on fire). Feel the feels,
and then come out the other side ready to focus and put the work in. Also, know
that all of us in the PW community are here for you <3'
–
Juliana Brandt
‘In 2014 I got zero
requests. I got less than zero requests. I knew in 2 days that I wasn't getting
in to Pitch Wars. One of the mentors who didn't select me? Dan Koboldt,
my co-mentor and critique partner. I'm represented by the best agent I could
hope for. The only thing that matters is what you do next. ‘
–
Michael Mammy
‘All the mentors chose their mentees for their individual teams, but
there’s another team called Team Pitch Wars that lasts forever, and everyone
makes it in!’
–
Kate Foster
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