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

Katharine Sands
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)


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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)

Customer Reviews

This book is well worth reading....and re-reading. Kelly B.  |  10 reviewers made a similar statement
It was insightful, informative and entertaining. T. Paris  |  10 reviewers made a similar statement
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
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.
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading for All Writers August 4, 2004
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
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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
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars First rate document for new writers to crack the market of publishing
Katherine's book mujst be read from cover to cover by any struggling author who wants to catch the eye of an agent. Read more
Published 2 months ago by John Nolan
5.0 out of 5 stars Literary Agent Catches My Eye!
Katharine Sands expertly interviews publishing industry insiders and gets them to divulge secrets in a way that inspires writers about the business side of the craft. Read more
Published on March 31, 2011 by Kelly B.
5.0 out of 5 stars How to pitch an agent
I bought this book a few weeks before taking Katharine Sands' class on The Perfect Pitch. It was an excellent companion and certainly can stand alone. Read more
Published on February 28, 2011 by Mikko Baker
5.0 out of 5 stars If you buy just one book on how to get an agent, make it this one!
Clear, entertaining information on what agents are looking for, and how to submit your work so that the agent you want will also want you. Great book, great author.
Published on January 23, 2011 by Joyce.Stover@citynet.net
5.0 out of 5 stars Read this first if you are a writer who wants to be an author
This book is the Bible for authors. If you want to be an author, read this before writing or saying anything about you or your book. Read more
Published on December 7, 2010 by Arthur H. Cooper
2.0 out of 5 stars Published in 2004, six years ago
This is just a note about this title, which would seem to be useful and encouraging based on reviews, title, and promo. Read more
Published on October 23, 2010 by Papusza
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful
I am really enjoying this read. I had no idea where to even begin when writing a query letter. Now I have a book with perspectives from many different agents. Read more
Published on August 22, 2010 by Carson
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Pitch hits the sweet spot!
If you want to get published, follow this author's advice. Simply put: I wrote a personal essay for a magazine. I bought this book. Read more
Published on March 19, 2010 by L. Bui
4.0 out of 5 stars Valuable Book Offering Insider Information
Literary agent Katherine Sand's book Making the Perfect Pitch offers a series of short articles and tips from top literary agents designed to help aspiring authors "catch a... Read more
Published on February 23, 2010 by Laura Cross
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!
As a newbie to the world of finding an agent, this books is invaluable. A wide variety of agents weight in on their likes, dislikes, and recommendations for proposals and query... Read more
Published on October 8, 2009 by New Writer
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