Virtual Practice PitchFest – 2026

Welcome to the final schedule for Virtual Practice PitchFest 2026!

For those who have registered for our upcoming PitchFest event, live at ThrillerFest XXI on May 7th, we’ve arranged an online event called Virtual Practice PitchFest with some of ITW’s Author-Experts to help you fine-tune your pitch beforehand. This gives you time to practice, gather feedback, and perfect your pitch before the on-site event. All registrants for PitchFest 2026 who have signed up prior to March 15, 2026 were invited to sign up for Virtual Practice PitchFest beginning March 1. Pitching slots are first-come, first-served. The deadline for sign-ups was the end-of-day on March 15, 2026. Each PitchFest registrant may sign up for one (1) 15-minute practice session.

The final schedule, including your specific time slot and zoom link, is posted below. You’ll be able to view your time slot and zoom information by clicking on the buttons. Click on the day(s) that you requested to find your name. We have done our best to give you your first request for day and time.

Your scheduled time slot is locked in, and it won’t change. It is up to you to show up on time (remember, all times are in Eastern Daylight Time).

On your day and time, you’ll use the zoom link listed above your name in the chart to go into the zoom room. There are two Zoom “rooms” per time block. The zoom links have the password embedded, so they are one-click, but we’ve still included the passwords, just in case. If you haven’t used Zoom in a while, you may need to update, so please take that into account. We ask that you please join the zoom room at least 5 minutes ahead of your assigned time slot to address any tech issues and so you can take full advantage of your session.

Each room has one technical host and two ITW Author-Experts, one of whom will be hearing your pitch. The author names will not be released ahead of Practice PitchFest; instead, you will find out with whom you’ll be practicing when you log-in to your session.

As an FYI, you will receive an email reminder before the week of Virtual Practice PitchFest.

— If you need to change your time slot, we will attempt to accommodate you. Please email susan@thrillerwriters.org ASAP. —

Please contact susan@thrillerwriters.org with any questions, and happy practice pitching!

While many of us have grown familiar with interacting virtually via zoom over the past few years, for anyone needing a quick refresher, click here for a brief instructional guide. Our hope is to keep this as seamless as possible.

Please contact us (susan@thrillerwriters.org) if you have any questions or concerns.