Instructors: Caitlin Alexander and Cynthia Manson
Length: 1 session, $85
Wednesday, June 12, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

It takes seven seconds to make a first impression. Make your book's first impression count by preparing a pitch that will lead editors and agents to say: "Send it to me!"

Ahead of June 22nd's Publish and Promote Your Book Conference pitch appointments, you'll gather with fellow writers to present your pitch to an agent and an editor who both have plenty of experience being wowed (and not so wowed) by writers' pitches. You'll present your draft during the workshop, and the emphasis will be on one-on-one feedback to help you perfect both the content and the presentation of your pitch. We'll discuss what agents and editors are listening for, how to turn your pitch into a query letter, and the best practices for following up on requests for your manuscript. You’ll receive a handout with additional tips and guidelines to use in refining your pitch.

Caitlin Alexander has been editing books for more than fifteen years. She spent much of that time at Random House, where she acquired and edited New York Times bestsellers in fiction and nonfiction. She continues to edit bestselling and award-winning books as a freelance editor and can be found at editedbycaitlin.com.

Cynthia Manson is a well-known and respected literary agent who represents a number of bestselling authors in a variety of genres. She graduated from Scripps College for Women in Claremont, CA.  Manson has worked in both magazine and book publishing including Sterling Lord Literary Agency, Putnam, Bertelsmann, Scientific American, and Advertising Age Magazine.  She is well connected to the Hollywood community and has brokered numerous deals in the book to film and television market.

Writing Institute Registration Process:

Step 1 - Registration Information: Complete this registration form in full.

Step 2 - Payment: Once you click submit on this form, a new page will appear in your browser with a payment link. Click on the payment link, complete the required information, and submit your payment.

Payment is required for your registration to be confirmed. If we don’t receive your payment within 48 hours of submission of this form, your registration will automatically be cancelled. You will have to complete the form again if you wish to register for the class.

Step 3 - Confirmation: Once we receive your payment, your registration will be finalized and confirmed with an email. Please keep this email for your records.  Details about room assignment, parking, and any other information relevant to the course will be emailed to registered students the week before classes begin.

If you have questions about the registration process, please call us at 914-395-2205 or email writinginstitute@sarahlawrence.edu.