In three weeks, I'll be attending the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference, and I need help with one of the two books I'll be pitching.
Please read the pitch below and offer any suggestions for tightening and improving it. The three friends who give the most helpful suggestions will receive a Christian novel as a Thank You Prize. You may either post your suggestions here, or email me at jeanettelevellie(at)gmail(dot)com.
A warm, insightful gift book of 60 prayers for friends in crisis, When You Need a Prayer will strengthen and encourage readers through their darkest times. Titles include “When Your Parent Is near Death,” “When You are Ready to Give Up on Your Dream,” “When Your Baby is Sick,” “When You’re Tempted to Condemn Yourself,” and “When Forgiveness Seems Impossible.”
When You Need a Prayer speaks to Christian women in crisis needing reassurance of a God interested in their deepest hurts. They need confidence in their value to the Lord. They long to live free of torment, worry and stress.
Readers will find their hearts opening to believe the Lord’s willingness to help and heal their pain. They will gain a new understanding of the Biblical basis for praying with bold assurance. They will be encouraged, strengthened, and comforted as God lifts them from the brokenness of their souls to the wholeness of His embrace.
When used as devotional readings, the Spirit-led prayers supported by Biblical truths offer courage, hope and a fresh glimpse of the Lord’s deep love. The book also serves ministry leaders, pastor’s wives, and caring friends as a handbook of specific prayers for other’s needs. Use When You Need a Prayer as a guide to pray for friends in crisis. The sixty topical petitions may serve as a springboard for deeper intercession, or can stand alone.
When You Need a Prayer is a glimpse into the bottomless heart of a faithful God, a powerful tool to help seekers find the perfect words in the midst of their brokenness, and a dare to believers to ask for more than they’ve ever imagined.
Contest ends at noon, Thursday, July 21. I will post the winners here on Friday the 22nd. Thank you in advance for helping me do my best at this conference.
Love you!
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ReplyDeleteThanks, Rebecca!
ReplyDeleteThis is a verbal pitch, so the punctuation won't count. But I appreciate your input for future reference.
Blessings,
Jen
Sorry, Jeannette. I wondered...but then decided it "sounded" more like a written summation. However, given it's a verbal presentation, your perky personality should carry you!
ReplyDeleteOh wow-- I love it already!! Love your descriptions and who it is for and how it can be used!!!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you included how your readers will benefit from your book. To me, you have not missed anything. I wish I could hear your voice that will give it all the punch it needs!
ReplyDeleteI like the dare part. That's so right on. Great work, Jeanette.
ReplyDeleteJeanette,
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds awesome. I want to buy it!! ;D
You shared effectively both your audience and concept.
I'm looking forward to spending some time with you at the Philly conference. I'll be praying for your appointments.
Susan
Thank you for your kindness and support, everyone.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I had no idea you were attending the Philly conference! Hallelujah! I'll be praying for you, too!! Can't wait to meet you in person!!!
Jeanette:
ReplyDeleteYour book title needs to be italicized
How much time do you have? I think this is too long for an elevator pitch. Read this aloud and time yourself. You might want to pare it down a bit.
Quietspirit: It's a verbal pitch with an editor, not an elevator pitch, but I think you may be right-it could be a bit long for someone to sit and listen to, after hearing pitches all day long for two or three days!
ReplyDeleteJeanette, I've never pitched before, but it seems to me like you could pull out one or two of the paragraphs you've written there and use them as a verbal pitch. I know you don't have much time and this seems like a lot. Each paragraph states a lot of the same things in a different way. They're all good, but if you just take a few out, I think you'll do great!
ReplyDelete"When You Need a Prayer speaks to Christian women in crisis needing reassurance of a God interested in their deepest hurts."
Just this one line says so much.
I think it's great.....Your smile will convey so much of what you are saying......I want to read to it.......
ReplyDeleteI think it is wonderful! I want this book. I think I NEED this book! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of the other comments, it probably can be tightened some to be more efficient. Will see if I can't look at it more closely after dinner and get back to you. :)
Hugs and blessings,
Karen
Hi Jen -
ReplyDeleteYou know I'm already a fan of your writing. :)
This strikes me more as a one sheet than a pitch. I've always been taught a pitch consists of 2 or 3 sentences.
Since this is a weak spot for me, I wouldn't attempt to whittle it down to that length. Hmm, maybe we could brainstorm both our pitches together. Usually, I hand editors/agents a one sheet and then crawl under the table. LOL!
Blessings,
Susan :)
Yes girl, I need a prayer or twenty! Good luck with your pitch. I'm not the greatest at them.
ReplyDeleteJen, this sounds like a wonderful book! I hope you find the ideal champion for it at the conference, and have a wonderful time there, too.
ReplyDeleteIf I were listening to your pitch I would want to know four things right off the top: what the book is, what it's about (what makes it unique), who the target audience is, and why you're qualified to write it. I'd need to hear those things quickly, before my eyes glaze over and I tune out the rest of the presentation. I think you'd be smart to whittle your pitch down by half, to no more than two or three pithy paragraphs and save the rest of the info to use if there is subsequent discussion.
We'll be looking forward to hearing all about the conference and your experiences!
Jen- I think you might be backing into your pitch somewhat. I'd jump right in with the title and topic. You're also not telling me why this book of prayers is different from other books of prayers I can find at Amazon.com or B&N right now. What's unique about it? How does it stand out from the crowd? Why would I pick this book off a shelf crowded with prayer books?
ReplyDeleteYou're pitch is lovely and well written (though long), but I think editors and agents are really going to need you to persuade them that you have something NEW to say through prayer.
Good luck!
Jen, I hardly feel qualified to give you advice as this is totally outside my realm of experience. You have a good thing here, I do know that. What I can do is pray for the Lord to guide you in your preparation and then, of course, in the presentation.
ReplyDeleteLove you!