Success Stories

This time, she said yes

She told me to finish my book.

I did.

This time, she said yes.

When PitchFest came around again, I was ready

Once I was done talking, a few seconds passed where no words were exchanged. Eric finally looked at me and smiled, “Could you send me your manuscript? I’d like to take a look at it tonight.”

Without Virtual Practice PitchFest, I would not be a published author

Without Virtual Practice PitchFest, I would not be a published author. Plain and simple.

PitchFest works

If I could find the group that had been standing outside the doors with me waiting for their turn—who perhaps still harbor doubts because of one vocal skeptic—I would tell them that PitchFest works. 

Our favorite part was PitchFest

We would not have gotten a book deal as easily without ThrillerFest. We went to learn from the experts, connect with other new writers, and meet up with our favorite authors. But our favorite part was PitchFest.

A Conversation With A Friend

A week later, I hit the send button on my queries and manuscript requests. I told myself, I would only check my email once a day, after 4 pm. But the very next day, I was sitting in the parking lot of my son’s day camp. It was 3:15. That was close enough to 4, right? I opened my email and there it was.

ThrillerFest is the real deal

If you’re on the fence about ThrillerFest or PitchFest, I highly recommend you get down off it. In fact, leap wildly into the void, because ThrillerFest is the real deal…

Crossroads

About two years ago, I was working as a TV researcher for a crime drama series when an idea began to form for a project of my own. A dark, psychological suspense novel. I’d never written a novel before, but the idea wouldn’t let go and I found myself at a crossroads. In a moment of righteous conviction, I took the least logical path available. I quit my job…

I went to PitchFest, and it changed my life forever

Attending PitchFest can change your life. I know that sounds like some corny advertising promo, but it was literally true in my case. At the first PitchFest in 2007, agents met authors during the lunch session, with one agent at each table. Who you were sitting with was totally random. I was talking with author Jon Land…

What if no one likes it?

I had never pitched a story before. “What if no one likes it?” I thought. I practiced my pitch before and after the luncheon. I practiced even as I stood in line waiting for the start of PitchFest, while other attendees chatted. My legs trembled and the suit I wore felt like heavy armor. “I only need one to say yes,” I said to myself. I had tried query letters with…

It Could Happen to You … at PitchFest!

Ironically, Graham Brown almost missed the Thrillerfest 2007 Agent luncheon. Thanks to a flight delay–on the red-eye, no less–he arrived late at JFK and made it to the Hyatt just as the event was about to begin. “I was completely wiped out at that point, and decided to skip the lunch. All I wanted was to check into my room and get some sleep.” Graham confessed.

Finding Success at PitchFest Means Never Having to Query Again

I’m a writer, not a salesperson. I’d rather work on my novel every day for a year than spend one hour writing query letters. As it turns out, that’s about the ratio I set while writing my novel, THE COLONY. After working on the book for five years, I sent out a meager 26 letters and received seven flat-out rejections, 14 requests for…