Making the Perfect Pitch: How To Catch a Literary Agent's Eye [Paperback]

Katharine Sands (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Here's a very useful book for first-time writers. Most how-to books for writers deal with this important subject (finding an agent) in a chapter or two, but Sands, a literary agent in New York, shows that there's a lot more to it than one might expect. Drawing on the experience of a variety of agents (plus one copywriter), she demonstrates that finding an agent involves finding the perfect match between author and representative, between material and market. Think it's easy to write a query letter? Think again: agents get a lot of mail, and you only have one chance to get their attention. Think it's easy to put together a book proposal? Try it sometime, but try not to be too wordy, or too self-promoting, or too been-there-done-that. Do your homework, Sands stresses: don't pitch a genre novel to an agent who deals primarily in nonfiction; do know what other books cover the same ground as yours. But, above all, do read this book, which should teach you pretty much everything you'll need to know. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871162067
• ISBN-13: 978-0871162069
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #704,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the best book on the subject March 24, 2006

By Daniel L Edelen TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I've read many books intended to help writers get published, but this is possibly the best book I've seen on getting an agent to notice your work. Katharine Sands, an agent herself, has given us a reference that is a must for your writing library.

We've all seen single-source guides on pitching your book, but Sands goes one further by collecting the wisdom of some of the top agents in the publishing business:

* Sarah Jane Freymann relates seven essentials needed in a query letter.

* Robert Gottlieb tells how to stay ahead of publishing trends.

* Michael Larsen give tips on establishing a marketing niche that will appeal to publishers and agents.

* Laurie Horowitz shows how agents can turn books into films.

* Andrew Stuart gives insider tips on paring back queries to their bare essence, packing the most punch on a page.

* Jane Dystel advises the best way to stand out from the rest of the slush pile.

* Donald Maass discusses stand-out settings, memorable protagonists and intractable problems that every novel needs to be breakout-worthy.

There are forty chapters of advice from the best in the business. And while some of it will, by nature, overlap, the info here is invaluable. It's a panel discussion in a convenient book form so beginning writers can refer to it again and again.

If you're considering writing for publication, this book is peerless. Highly recommended.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading for All Writers August 4, 2004

By Sharon Magee

Format:Paperback

I'm the author of two non-fiction books and am preparing to sell my first novel. In studying and listening to agents, I found that each one required something a little different, which was not only confusing but scary. I had heard Katharine Sands speak about Making the Perfect Pitch at a writers conference and bought it. I felt like I'd been let in on the secrets of the publishing world. The agents contributing to the book explained what they want and what they don't, and while each may want things a little different, the basics are the same. The day I received Making the Perfect Pitch, I read it straight through. This book should be required reading for all writers - first-time or seasoned.

Sharon Magee

Author of Geronimo! Stories of an American Legend

Co-Author of Arizona Goes to War

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I can't say enough positive things about this book October 23, 2005

By Parola138

Format:Paperback

When I got this, I figured it was just another book about writing, submitting, and trying to succeed at writing. This book is very different though. It is very blunt, like so many other books, but somehow it is rarely negative. After reading similar books, I've come away feeling I could never make it as a writer. This book is uplifting, and sort of says, "You can make it, but here are the things you have to nail down." A great book. Highly recommended to anyone making an attempt at publishing fiction, non-fiction, or screenplays.