Fast Pitch

Sign-ups for in-person pitches closed on October 10. Sign-ups for virtual pitches will remain open until October 21.

Welcome to Fastpitch!

Pitch your book project to agents and publishing company representatives, receive immediate feedback, and potentially have them ask for a copy of your book proposal and/or manuscript.  

Fastpitch has improved and changed, so please read the following frequently asked questions before signing up.

Sign-ups will close October 10 (for in-person pitches) and October 21 (for virtual pitches).

What Is Fastpitch? 

Fast Pitch is a timed event in which an author gives a three- to four-minute book pitch, followed by a five- to seven-minute discussion with a publishing house representative or literary agent. 

When and Where Is Fastpitch?

In-person pitching will be at the 2024 LDSPMA conference at the UVU Sorensen Center, in the Center Stage room.

Times:

• Friday, October 18, 1:00–2:50 pm
• Saturday, October 19, 10:00–11:50 am

Virtual pitching will take place on Zoom on Friday, October 25th, a week after the conference. Slots will be open between 1 and 3 pm Mountain Time.

Do I have to be registered for the conference in order to sign up for Fast Pitch?

Yes. Fast Pitch is limited to registered conference attendees.

What Are My Odds?

In our 2021 pitch event, 46 authors gave 130 pitches to nine publishers and agents. Of those 130 pitches, 30 resulted in a manuscript request. Several of those manuscript requests eventually resulted in book deals (we wish we had exact numbers for that, but all we have is anecdotal results).

You can increase your odds by watching the training videos, preparing well, practicing beforehand, and making sure your genre matches what the publisher is looking for.

How Can I Prepare the Best Pitch?

Download these documents, which will guide you through pitch creation:

• Oak Leaf Story Design (PDF)  – a resource teaching you about the importance of symmetry and balance in story design
• Recipe for the Rollercoaster (PDF) – A worksheet to guide you through thinking about the story structure of your novel or book
• Pitch Materials Worksheet (Word) – A worksheet to help you brainstorm the information about your book that you will need to craft your pitch and answer any subsequent questions
• The Three-Minute Formal Pitch Guidelines (PDF) – The guidelines you should follow for creating your 3-minute pitch.
• Fast Pitch Bio Examples (PDF) – Examples of both fiction and nonfiction author bios
• 3-Minute Pitch Example (PDF) – An example of a complete pitch sheet

We are hosting free pre-conference training sessions to help make this a great experience. The training sessions will be taught by proven pitch expert and New York Times bestselling author Angie Fenimore. You will be expected to either attend the training sessions live or watch the recordings afterward.

• Tuesday, Aug 27, 7–8 pm MST: How to pitch fiction – Watch Zoom Recording
• Wednesday, Aug 28, 7–8 pm MST: How to pitch nonfiction – Watch Zoom Recording
• Friday, Aug 30, 7–8 pm MST: Q&A and workshopping pitches – Watch Zoom Recording

Angie is graciously sharing two sections of her online course with participants at no charge. You are highly encouraged to go through all of the content on your own time. This will make all the difference for you when it’s time to pitch.

Section 1: https://courses.calliopewritingcoach.com/courses/the-secret-science-of-storytelling

• Click “Buy $300” and then enter the coupon code “LDSPMA2024” and the course will zero out so that it’s free to register.

Section 2: https://courses.calliopewritingcoach.com/courses/pitch-craft

• Click “Buy $140” and then enter the same coupon code, “LDSPMA2024,” and the course will zero out so that it’s free to register.

Does It Cost to Pitch? 

The cost to participate is $20 per pitch. While pitching has been free in the past, it is professional to pay publishers for their time. The majority of this charge goes to pay for the publishers’ time and expertise. Part of it pays for the expense of running the conference.

Refunds for Fast Pitch slots are the same as our general conference refund policy (full refunds by September 3, 50% refunds between September 4 and October 10, no refunds after October 10). Contact us at info@ldspma.org to cancel your pitch and request a refund.

Where and When Can I Sign Up? 

Sign-ups for in-person pitches closed on October 10. Sign-ups for virtual pitches will remain open until October 21.

Participating Publishers:

Deseret Book: Adult Latter-day Saint nonfiction only – In-person pitches only

Immortal Works: YA and adult fiction (no middle grade): fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal, mild horror, clean romance – In-person pitches only

Chicken Scratch Books: Middle-grade fiction.

Cedar Fort: Latter-day Saint nonfiction

Covenant Communications: Fiction: Contemporary romance, contemporary suspense/mystery, historical romance, historical suspense/mystery, general fiction, Latter-day Saint fiction. Nonfiction: Inspirational/Doctrinal. NO SUPERFICIAL CONTENT, YA, MG, SCI-FI, FANTASY OR SUPERNATURAL, FAMILY OR PERSONAL HISTORIES, MEMOIRS, OR SELF-HELP.

Familius: Nonreligious children’s picture books and board books, cookbooks, activity books, self-help (related to families and relationships), and humor. (NO memoir or MG, YA, or adult fiction, including comics.) – Virtual pitches only

Shadow Mountain: Fiction: women’s fiction, historical fiction, historical romance, children’s contemporary fiction (MG or YA), children’s fantasy (MG or YA), and cozy mysteries.

Gibbs Smith: Nonreligious cookbooks, home design, children’s, and young adult historical fiction.

Your Inspired Story (Bridget Cook-Burch): Memoir. This self/professional publisher hybrid REQUIRES AN UPFRONT INVESTMENT. – In-person pitches only

Morgan James: This self/professional publisher hybrid REQUIRES AN UPFRONT INVESTMENT. This is a reputable company that has several bestsellers. They are interested in fiction and nonfiction. No children’s picture books. – Virtual pitches only

What Should I Expect On Pitch Day?

In-Person Pitch

1. You will sign up for a 10-minute slot to pitch your book to a specific representative or agent. (You can sign up for multiple slots.)
2. Show up at the main doors of the UVU Center Stage room at least 10 minutes prior to your pitch time. (A map will be provided in your conference program.)
3. The Center Stage room will have rows of tables where authors are pitching to publishers. An usher will guide you to an “on-deck” chair several yards away from the publisher/agent you will be pitching to.
4. When the publisher/agent wraps up their conversation with the author before you, you’re up!
5. You will have 3 minutes to share your pitch. Our classes will help you create a compelling pitch!
6. You will have around 4–5 minutes for feedback and questions from the representative or agent.
7. Rock your pitch! You are doing something brave!
8. Be prepared to write down any directions the publisher/agent tells you for where or how to submit your manuscript.

Virtual Pitch

1. Join the Zoom room 15 minutes before your appointed time. The link will be emailed to you.
2. The Pitch coordinator will put you in a waiting room for your publishing professional.
3. Wait in the appointed room until the publisher’s assistant comes to get you and puts you in a room with the publishing professional. 
4. You will have 3 minutes to share your pitch. Do not go over.
5. You will have 4–5 minutes for questions and feedback from the representative or agent.
6. Rock your pitch! You are doing something brave!
7. Be prepared to write down any directions the publisher/agent tells you for where or how to submit your manuscript.