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At the Crested Butte Conference, we do not offer the usual scheduled formal pitch appointments with agents and editors because we feel that they are very often unproductive for all concerned. Authors might verbalize terrific ideas, but the A/E learns nothing about their ability to write. Sitting through hours of pitches is most often a waste of valuable time, not to mention the constant unease of telling a person to his/her face that her brilliant idea isn't interesting-or that it's cliché. And for the authors it's often an anxiety-provoking experience and sometimes a waste of time.
On the other hand, we do want to offer our conference attendees productive opportunities with attending agents and editors, so we're offering two alternate means for the discovery of talented authors: Pitch/First Pages and Advance Read & Critiques.
To qualify for both of these programs:
- The author must be registered and have paid in full for the CBWC Conference.
- For both the Advanced Read & Critiques and Pitch /First Pages, they understand that they will only be given an appointment with the editor or agent IF the A/E requests it.
- The material must be from a finished manuscript.
- All participating authors agree NOT to approach the A/E to discuss or argue their advance read results outside of the scheduled appointment-if granted one. Stalking or harassing of A/Es will not be tolerated.
Pitches / First Pages:Deadline, May 15
For Advanced Writers
- Participating Agents & Editors: Ginger Clark, Christine Pride, Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, & Anne Bensson
- For an additional fee of $15 each, each registered author may send in up to two 2-4 sentence pitches and the first page and a half of a manuscript(s) (or two if author has 2 finished stories) in standard format.
- Pitch is to be single-spaced. First page starts 1/3 way down the page, double spaced, 1" margins around, with only the title and genre in the header. No names! Times New Roman Font.
- The pitch is not to exceed 100 words and the excerpt not to exceed 550 words.
- The pitches are anonymous. The A/Es will not know the identity of the author-unless an appointment is requested-then at the time of the appointment, they will know the author's name.
- Pitches can be emailed to Theresa (at Theresa@theresarizzo.com) on a first-come-first-serve basis starting May 4 and ending May 15. No late pitches will be accepted.
- We will provide ALL of the agent/editors with a list of pitches and corresponding 1st pages of the finished manuscripts. All attending agents and editors will review the list-several weeks before the conference--and check off the entries that sound like something they might be interested in. We will then set up appointments for ONLY authors whose pitches have been requested.
- You will be emailed, approximately 1 week before the conference, if an A/E has requested an appointment(s) with you. Exact time and location of the meeting will be in your registration packet.
- If your pitch is not requested by any of the A/E(s), no refund will be given.
 Sample Pitches that Garnered an Agent or Editor Request In Past CB Writers Conference.
Advance Read and Critiques: Deadline, May 3
- Participating Agents & Editors: Ginger Clark, Christine Pride, Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, & Anne Bensson
- We will set up 10-minute appointments for face-to-face meetings with ONLY the authors the agent/editor requested meetings with-not all of them. If the agent/editor wants to clarify his/her critique, or if he was really taken with the work and wanted to get to know the author a little, then we will schedule an appointment.
- Advanced Read and Critiques are available on a first-come-first-serve basis for registered conference attendees for an additional fee of $30 each. Only one per attendee. Agent/editor will read up to 10 entries consisting of the first 10 pgs and a 2 page synopsis of a manuscript and give a half page (or whatever deemed necessary) critique of the work. ***Please note, Ginger Clark is only able to offer 2 Advanced Reads - not 10.
- Standard formatted manuscript: First page starts 1/3 way down the page, double spaced (not more than 25 lines per page), 1" margins around, with only the title, genre, and first choice editor in the header. No names. With a maximum word count of 3,500 words-including synopsis. Synopsis to be 2 full pages, not more than 23-25 lines per page.
- Material for Advanced Reads can be emailed to Theresa on a first-come-first-serve basis starting April 17 and ending May 3.
- Critiques will be emailed back to each author in early June and at that time you will find out if an appointment was requested.
Scheduled appointments requested by the agent or editor for both the Advance Reads and for the Pitches, will accompany the registration packet. They will be scheduled for Saturday. If the A/E requested and appointment and it is scheduled, the author must be there at the designated time and place indicated on their registration slip. If you miss your appointment, there will be no rescheduling.
***Please note failure to abide by the strict formatting rules unfortunately will result in disqualification and the loss of all fees. CBWC personnel will not help format or send back, improperly formatted pitches & Read/critiques.
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