Boston-area author Lynne Heitman recently gave a great presentation on pitching your novel to agents, at Buttonwood Books, a bookstore in Cohasset, MA. The event was sponsored by Boston's largest writer's group, Grub Street. Her approach was to get us all to explain the kernel of our books using one simple formula ----- what a concept. It was really difficult for everyone. One writer taking the workshop already had a literary agent and even she had a hard time.
Below is my revised pitch, using her formula. I've sent out several queries using this. Today I got my first 'ding' in response, but that particular query was a real long-shot to begin with.
"When her reckless behavior sets events in motion leading to her sister's death, a young western-educated Saudi woman finds the courage to forge her future in the unlikely story of an old Bedouin woman."
Some of the workshop participants wanted me to include the protagonist's name with a translation of its meaning. Others wanted me to leave it out. We shall see what works, but right now I'm leaving it off.
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