Twice a year New York Writers Workshop offers three-day Pitch Conferences for writers of non-fiction. Participants refine pitches for their proposals or manuscripts, then meet with and pitch to three different editors from major New York publishing houses (Bantam Dell, Berkley Publishing Group, Dutton, Random House, Rodale, St. Martin's Press, and others).
Before the conference begins, participants prepare drafts of their pitches that can be presented orally in about three minutes. The draft should include the book's premise and hook, and the writer's platform. Then:
Day 1:
Participants workshop their pitches with a workshop leader from New York Writers Workshop. Each participant reads his/her synopsis. The NYWW instructor provides guidance in revision for clarity, concision, and impact. The instructor also discusses, as appropriate, the realities of the publishing market. The rest of the group participates, as appropriate, and learns from each example.
Day Two:
Participants make two pitches to editors today. The first pitch is "public," meaning participants pitch to an editor in the presence of their group. The public session is followed by a short Q&A with the editor. The second pitch is private, one-on-one with an editor, with an NYWW instructor present. Each pitch lasts approximately five minutes.
Day Three:
Today each participant makes one private pitch to an editor, again with an NYWW instructor present. The day wraps with a group conference with an NYWW instructor.
Conference times:
Friday: 9:30 to 4:00
Saturday: Optional Agents Panel 10:00 to 12:00; Conference 1:30 to 5:00
Sunday: 10:00 to 12:30