{"id":126,"date":"2020-11-10T16:27:15","date_gmt":"2020-11-10T16:27:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/?p=126"},"modified":"2024-08-12T14:44:04","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T13:44:04","slug":"how-to-write-an-elevator-pitch-for-your-novel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/how-to-write-an-elevator-pitch-for-your-novel\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Write An Elevator Pitch For Your Novel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Writing is scary \u2013 but of all the scary things about it, perhaps the scariest is getting the concept right. The hard fact is: a lousy concept will kill your novel, no matter how good your actual writing is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And how can you isolate the concept? The thing which makes the difference between success or failure? The answer is via your elevator pitch \u2013 a very short summary of what makes your book so special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll get to some examples in just a second, but let\u2019s start by defining terms . . . and understanding just why your elevator pitch is such a massive deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Write A Great Book Pitch:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Keep it to 20 words or less.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Be original.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Make it memorable \u2013 An astronaut seeking to survive. A woman who fakes her own murder. An ordinary boy \u2013 an orphan! \u2013 going to an extraordinary school.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. The result should make the listener say, \u201ctell me more!\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\r\n
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    The First 500 Novel Competition is back for 2025!<\/h2>

    Send us your first 500 words and be in with a chance to win incredible prizes and take part in our live final. <\/p>\n

    Entry is \u00a310 or free for our Premium Members.<\/p>\n<\/div>

    \r\n ENTER NOW<\/span><\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\n

    What Is An Elevator Pitch For A Novel?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    And why does it matter so damn much?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    An elevator pitch is the term given to any sales pitch that could, in theory, be delivered in the space of a short elevator ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The idea is that you might find yourself in the elevator with Someone Important who can\u2019t, for those twenty or thirty seconds, escape or deflect your attentions \u2013 so you can use that time to deliver a sales pitch so utterly compelling that that Person of Importance is drawn in and wants to hear more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To be clear: this is a fantasy scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You are never likely to be called upon to pitch your book in this way. It\u2019s just not how any normal submission process happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    (Or, for that matter, how any normal elevator ride happens. I\u2019ve twice been in an elevator with the CEO of a major publisher. On both occasions, we chatted about the weather, or the shiny new canteen, or whatever people normally talk about in elevators.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But that notional elevator pitch still matters, because it\u2019s a neat conceptual way to understand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n