Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 170

Excerpts for New Releases – Do They Help? By Stacy Hoff

I think I have a bad marketing instinct. It never occurs to me to post excerpts of my upcoming new releases. I have, however, provided excerpts to blog sites I visit, but only when specifically asked by the blog host. Maybe my lack of forethought is because excerpts are not usually something I read. I find their length to be just long enough to get me drooling, but not substantial enough for me to eat the meal.

Because excerpts tease me too much, if a book looks good to me, I simply plunk my money down and buy it. So far, I’ve had pretty good luck with my reading gambles. It is possible, however, that I’m as bad a money manager as I am a marketer. C’est la vie.

I know marketing-wise, I am in the wrong. I do think most readers find excerpts to be a good indicator of whether a book is right for them. So, in order to go with the flow, here is one for my upcoming new release. I’m even including a book blurb at the end. How’s that for progress?

What do you think about book excerpts? Do they influence you to buy a book? To what extent?

Excerpt from JOCKEYING FOR YOU (release date 9/28/16)

Jake felt his eyebrow arch up. “Dr. Doolittle, I presume?”

A slow smile spread across Ryder’s lips.

“How far have you gotten with Handsome?” Jake asked.

“He’ll let me ride him now.”

Jake’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “My God, Ryder, you’re amazing,” he let out. With a shake of his head and a hard cough he corrected himself. “I mean, your results with him are amazing.”

Ryder’s grin was now Cheshire cat sized. “Thanks for both compliments.”

Damn. She couldn’t let my mistake go.

Then it hit him—his comment was a slip, but was it really a mistake? Her beautiful face, which had been beaming with pride now had a shy aspect that was even more endearing. She bore a schoolgirl’s blush and averted her eyes from him as she busied herself petting Handsome’s nose.

If only she could stroke me the same way. Though somewhere lower down than my nose. He tensed up at the thought. Focus, Jake, damn it! This is business. I need to get back to it.

“Show me,” he said.

She looked back at him and blinked. “Show you what?”

“Show me Handsome Dancer can be ridden. I want you to ride him for me.”

“Now? He’s already had his exercise for today. I don’t want to tire him out.”

Handsome’s head batted her shoulder with a determination that was comical.

“You know,” he quipped, “if he actually understands you then you really are Dr. Doolittle.”

“I’m sure he just wanted me to give him an apple,” she answered, flustered. She wiped a stray blonde bang from her hot forehead and looked the horse in one of his eyes. “What are you saying, babycakes? That you want to go on a short ride with me?”

Yes, yes, I do. Jake cleared his throat and gave her a tight smile. “Go ahead you two. Impress me.”

A few minutes later he was outside the training track, his hands casually resting on the guardrail while he waited for the “show” to begin.

Soon, Ryder and Handsome entered the track. He heard her cluck her tongue at the horse, and then watched her lightly kick Handsome’s rear. The horse took off around the track in a fast gallop. The horse’s “flight” was fluid and astoundingly fast for what was supposed to be an easy go-around. She was doing more than merely riding Handsome Dancer. It looked like she was a part of him. One cohesive whole.

Thinking the demo was about to end, he had almost turned around to head back when something caught the corner of his eye. It was a flash of color, a fast burst of brown. What the…? Whipping his head around to the source, he stared open-mouthed at the sight. Handsome Dancer was bolting down a stretch of training track at a speed unheard of for a newbie horse. Or maybe any horse. In all of Jake’s experiences, he doubted he had seen a horse move that fast when not performing in an actual race.

As impressed as he was, he frowned. Was Ryder working Handsome too hard? Tiring a horse out with a training exercise was a bad idea all around. Both emotionally and physically for the horse. As someone who cared about his animals’ well-being, the potential emotional impact was something important to worry about. Stressing out a horse by constantly spurring it on could lead to depression. The risk of negative physical impact was no better. And likely a whole lot worse. Pulled tendons or muscles could leave the horse permanently lame, which could impact the horse’s psychological state, too.

How sure was he Ryder knew what she was doing? By the time she dismounted, handing Handsome over to a hot walker after affectionately kissing his sweaty, heavily breathing nose, he was more than ready to find out. He straightened himself up to his full height and peered down at the smiling face. Her rail-thin body was over a foot shorter than his but her obvious pride in her accomplishment seemed to puff her up until she loomed as large as him.

“Well? Whadja think?” she demanded. Her grin had grown even larger. If she beamed any brighter she’d pass as a lighthouse.

His lips twisted around until he formed his carefully chosen words. “I’m glad to see you got him to perform.”

Her smile dropped, a heavy rock tossed off the lighthouse’s cliff. “You’re not happy?”

“I’m…I’m not sure how you got so far so fast. I don’t want him pushed past him limits. To be performing this hard, to be running at that pace for a simple demo…”

“I am not pushing him past his limits. This is not the Belmont Stakes where everything is on the line. Handsome Dancer was merely trying to prove to you he can do it. He wants to show off, not me.” She folded her arms across her chest and blew a stray stand of blonde hair from her eyes. She didn’t look so much like she was challenging him as she was wary of him. “It’s going to be hard to work for you if you’re going to doubt my integrity. I break down a horse’s barriers to success. But I don’t break their spirit. And I would never over-exert an animal just to impress an owner.”

He let out a hard breath. “Okay. I didn’t think so. But if you didn’t push him to the max, how was he able to take off like that? He flew around the track.”

“Like you said yourself, your horse is special.”

Jockeying for You – Book Blurb

Jake Carter is on a mission—to prove his family wrong. He may have bought a troubled horse, but he’s hired Ryder Hannon, a “horse whisperer,” to get his horse back on track.  She’s more than just a trainer to him, she’s the woman he’s been looking for.

Ryder Hannon, a thoroughbred horse trainer, has a big problem—fighting her fear of racing again. Her emotional scars run deeper than her physical ones. But her romantic feelings towards handsome, uber-rich, stable owner Jake Carter is a bigger problem.  Is Jake truly in love with her or is he using her to get back at his smug family? ­

When Jake’s jockey gets injured, he wants Ryder to race. He knows deep down she wants to live up to her family’s legacy. So why does she keep fighting him—and her destiny—so hard?

JOCKEYING FOR YOU Amazon pre-order buy link  http://amzn.to/2clOJK3

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorStacyHoff

Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC http://amzn.to/1KjfP9V

DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES http://amzn.to/1YEseie

LAWFULLY YOURS  http://amzn.to/1Ky5CZm

 

SEASON OF LOVE  http://amzn.to/1NsByfu

Filed under: A writer's life, Business, Marketing, New Release, Promotion, publishing, Stacy Hoff, Writer's Life

What Would Veronica Mars Do? By Heather Novak

The rumors are true! Twelve years late, I have finally jumped on the Veronica Mars bandwagon. I mean I jumped on, strapped in, and put on my helmet. Thanks to my wonderful Amazon Prime membership (my precious), I get to watch the entire series for free. THE ENTIRE SERIES.

It all started unsuspectingly on Labor Day weekend. I busted out the pilot and grabbed a bag of popcorn and settled in for a good episode. I had heard about the series in Kristen Ashely’s book Rock Chick Regret and figured I’d check it out.

OH MY CATS!

I want to be Veronica Mars when I grow up…even though I’m twice her age now…

I love her as a character. She’s spunky, young, brave enough to be stupid, and vulnerable enough to fall in love with. Also, her outfits are so cute and I don’t care that they’re early 2000’s, I’d wear them now.

The entire series is a good character study. It’s nice to see the big show arcs and how they pan out, as well as the episode arcs. When watching a series, this is a good thing to study since it’s like a book.

Consider this: Each chapter needs its own arc, each book needs its own arc, and finally, a book series needs an overall arc. It is the same with a television show.

Veronica Mars is an awesome show to watch for this example because there is so much of it available at once. You can watch all three seasons, then the movie, and don’t forget the books! And don’t forget the web series.

This allows an in-depth study of characters, as well as overall themes! At least that’s what we’ll tell ourselves when we’re on hour 14 of our binge watch…oh, is that just me? Well then, okay. *Clicks play for next episode*

But why do we love Veronica Mars so much? A teen detective doesn’t sound that fun…

Oh, but it is. With the whip-snap humor of Psych, the drama of Buffy, a few big murder mysteries, and just enough teen angst to get even my fiance to join me on the couch to watch, it’s the perfect blend of suspense, humor, and love to get your heart thudding faster. Also, I’m pretty sure everyone ever guest starred in this show!

This month I’ve been asking, “What would Veronica Mars do?”

She would watch more Veronica Mars.

Stay awesome, Nights of Passion.

On this day in 1928 – Alexander Fleming discovered the antibiotic penicillin in the mold Penicillium notatum.

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,

Heather Novak

Find me at:

Twitter: authorheathern

Instagram: authorheathern

Facebook: authorheathernovak

Hunting Witch Hazel: Now available

Threat of Raine: 2016

Rosemary for Remembrance: 2016

Filed under: romance

How We Change

My son has this book called What to do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada. I love this book. We’ve been reading it for over a year at this point and admittedly, when I first starting reading it, I don’t think my son got it. Perhaps too young or perhaps he got it but not in the way I got it.

For those of you who haven’t read it (spoiler alert***) it is about a little kid who has an idea and he personifies it but at the same time it makes sense because we all do this with our own ideas. At first he thinks it is weird and nobody will like it (been there done that, huh?) and then he keeps thinking about it and basically it grows on him.

What I love about this book is that it kind of reminds us of kids’ openness to experiences (well perhaps except in the realm of food!) and their fearlessness. This little kid in the book just keeps nurturing their idea and bit by bit it evolves and he/she realizes that they can change the world with an idea. The truth is that this happens each and every day, but not as much as it should. Too often, we shut the door on our ideas, stomping them out versus giving them a space to “play” in. Have you ever wonder what might happened if we nurtured our ideas more than stomped them out based on a societal perception that they are too “out there” or not good enough?

The truth is we do change as we grow older and some of it is very valid. The world can be cruel and it is difficult and more complex than we ever imagine as kids. That being said, sometimes it doesn’t have to be and for those of us who are tenacious enough to keep pushing our ideas and taking risks, it just may pay off. It also may mean that you may need to get a bit more creative to make things work. But then, that’s what your imagination (remember that word!) is for.

Happy writing this week!

Filed under: A writer's life, romance, Toni Kelly

Making Swag out of Old Business Cards by Mandy rosko

So I ended up pulling a giant box of business cards I had lying around out from under the drawer where I’d shoved it @_@ only to realize how many of these suckers I had left. There’s probably close to a thousand in that box. I know I didn’t give away many when I went to all my conferences, and some conferences I chose to not give out any at all because they were outdated and I forgot to order updated ones.

But look at them all. It’s such a waste to throw them out. I didn’t want to do that, so I decided to do something else. After getting the idea from seeing other authors use ribbons and beads, some on their own business cards and some using just the ribbons, I went to the dollar store and bought a hole punch and some ribbon, then made a trip to Michaels for longer ribbons and more beads. Because you can’t have enough beads

A Remembrance Paranormal-Scope

In the United States, we remembered the attacks of 9/11 yesterday honoring those lost and all the heroes and heroines that day.

While I am not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked to the paranormal in the world in many ways. So are you.

The paranormal-scope is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to guide your life by.

The week for:

Aries:

Dragons have fire for what they believe in! Find your passion and pursue it.

Taurus:

Werewolves frolic under the moon. When was the last time you frolicked? You need more playtime in your life.

Gemini:

Goblins pinch pennies. Go over your accounts and make frugal buying decisions for the time being.

Cancer:

A vampire stands under the street light hoping you’ll walk by. Someone is thinking about you.

Leo:

Elves can’t stand pain of any kind. Take better care of your health.

Virgo:

Pixies are delightful when they choose to decorate.  Time to redecorate your home. Make it vibrant or soothing to suit your needs.

Libra:

Faery eyes are soft and shimmering but pick up details. Study the details of new opportunities.

Scorpio:

A griffon cozies up to you. Your new friend is not all gruff and growl but adventurous too. Time to explore.

Sagittarius:

Leprechauns grace you with luck. Leprechaun gold tends to disappear when you need it. Luck is longer lasting.

Capricorn:

Mermaids call you to swim in the deep, to relax, rest your mind, and restore.

Aquarius:

Gnomes are really into cookies. Bake or visit a favorite bake shop and indulge.

Pisces:

Aslan has returned. A blast from your past has returned and you must decide how far you want to renew this old friendship.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and  Nook and Print

Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.

Poseidon’s Catch (mythology romance) available in Kindle.

Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.

A Vampire for Christmas,Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.

The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print

When Love , Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.

 

 

 

Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule

Back to school means back to the routine!

If you’re like me, every September as the kids are groaning about going back to school I get the bug to organize and fix up the office, and to generally get back on track. The lazy days of summer, enjoying time spent sitting in the sun reading a book are over. Now it’s time to get back to work.

It’s not that I did nothing all summer. I wrote a novella, am knee-deep in edits, which need to be done by the end of September, and I’m halfway through a book due out in February. I have hardly been idle. However, I have been less focused and certainly less neat than I’d like!

But the cycle of getting back into a routine each September has been drilled into me for (dare I say) decades! Even when you don’t have kids September heralds a new beginning. Generally, that means shopping and new clothes, but for certain it means cleaning off the piles of stuff that accumulated on the desk and setting up goals for the coming months. And let’s not forget that before we know it Christmas will be here! (Does anyone else automatically begin worrying about Christmas shopping when September arrives or is that just me?)

This week I’ll be cleaning off my desk, reviewing writing goals and making needed updates, planning for ads and compiling a list of conferences for next year.

What about you? What are your goals for this new beginning?

Don’t forget. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. 

 

In support of research to fight this terrible disease I am donating 100% of the proceeds of the September sales of A Vampire’s Passion to the Granulosa Cell Tumor Research Foundation. Please support this cause by grabbing a copy today! Thanks.

 

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iBooks

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Filed under: romance

Why I Wrote When Love Survives

Most authors have one book, sometimes more, that hurts them to write. Currently the book that hurt me the most to write was When Love Survives. I dream all my books. This one I dreamt after the event. In life, I’ve discovered that often love blooms in the bleakest of places, born of courage in the darkest of times.

As what usually happens after writing down a dream, I do an enormous amount of research to understand things better. The details must be as exact as you can make it even in fiction. Details reveal unseen wonders of the heart.

When Love Survives, for those that have not read it, is about two supernaturals who meet and fall in love while working to save people from the World Trade Center in New York on September 11th.

*

Regina O’Malley doesn’t know she’s magic. All she knows is that she’s late for her internship at a prominent brokerage house at the World Trade Center. Gregor Vasiliev, shapeshifter and a financial advisor at the World Trade Center, hates the office coffee. While on a coffee and donut run, there in the street stands the lifemate he’s been searching for. He must act now or lose her forever.

*

I dedicated the book to the first responders and rescuers.

On September 11th, we remember all those lost. We remember too the many that took a stand against the dark of terrorism and went to help. I remain awed by their courage in New York, at the Pentagon, and with Flight 93 who lost their lives saving the U.S. Capitol.

When so many came forward and took a stand, many risking themselves to save others, they made it possible for love to survive.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and  Nook and Print

Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.

Poseidon’s Catch (mythology romance) available in Kindle.

Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.

A Vampire for Christmas,Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.

The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print

When Love Survives , Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.

 

 

 

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Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, steampunk romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire in the Basement, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, What inspires you?, Yule

Book Launch Pre-Flight Check By Stacy Hoff

Often I feel like more of a pilot than I do an author. That’s because lately I’ve been running countless pre-flight checks for the launch of my new book, JOCKEYING FOR YOU. I’m running out of time! The book is available for pre-order now, and the release date is coming up (September 28, 2016), so I better be up-and-running real soon. I sure as heck don’t want to crash and burn.

I angst over my plane’s complicated control panel. I fret there will be one crucial button I’ll forget to push. And what happens then to my destination? A nose dive into a sales abyss?

My biggest fear is that I will miss my goal for pre-sale purchases. Rumor has it that strong pre-sales impact Amazon’s magical, mystical, algorithm for suggesting books to readers. “Suggestionville” is definitely one place all authors want their plane to land.

So what am I doing to “book” a successful sales journey? Here are few things, some of which are new to me. Perhaps they will help you reach your sales destination, too.

I hired a promoter to help with more guest blog spots than I had been able to co-ordinate on my own (I’ll let you know how this goes).
Started with marketing and promotion (i.e. setting up book-signings, author interviews, etc.) much earlier than before.
Reached out to more people on social media (meaningful reaching out, by the way, not just randomly friending and following).
Reached out to more book bloggers.
Reached out to more book review sites.
Got a head start on my schedule as a mom, since back-to-school is the exact same month my book launches (setting up all the carpooling, and their after-school activity calendar, ain’t easy).
Upkeep my author’s calendar, so I don’t mess up a date.

I admit the flight to my ultimate destination has had a little turbulence. So far, I’ve managed to keep my lunch down. Let’s hope I can keep sales up.

Suggestionville, here I come!

If you’re an author, what do you do for your pre-flight check? If you’re a reader, what would you like to see an author do to reach out?

Below is the Book blurb for JOCKEYING FOR YOU (to be released 9/28/16)  Amazon pre-order link: http://amzn.to/2clOJK3

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorStacyHoff

Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC http://amzn.to/1KjfP9V

DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES http://amzn.to/1YEseie

LAWFULLY YOURS http://amzn.to/1Ky5CZm

 

SEASON OF LOVE http://amzn.to/1NsByfu

Book Blurb for JOCKEYING FOR YOU

Jake Carter is on a mission—to prove his family wrong. He may have bought a troubled horse, but he’s hired Ryder Hannon, a “horse whisperer,” to get his horse back on track. She’s more than just a trainer to him, she’s the woman he’s been looking for.

Ryder Hannon, a thoroughbred horse trainer, has a big problem—fighting her fear of racing again. Her emotional scars run deeper than her physical ones. But her romantic feelings towards handsome, uber-rich, stable owner Jake Carter is a bigger problem. Is Jake truly in love with her or is he using her to get back at his smug family? ­

When Jake’s jockey gets injured, he wants Ryder to race. He knows deep down she wants to live up to her family’s legacy. So why does she keep fighting him—and her destiny—so hard?

http://amzn.to/2clOJK3

Pictures above taken of Saratoga Springs and Saratoga Spa State Park by Stacy Hoff. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.

Filed under: A writer's life, Author Interviews, blog party, contemporary romance, Marketing, New Release, Promotion, Publications, publishing, romance, Stacy Hoff

Book Launch Pre-Flight check By Stacy Hoff

Often I feel like more of a pilot than I do an author. That’s because lately I’ve been running countless pre-flight checks for the launch of my new book, JOCKEYING FOR YOU. I’m running out of time! The book is available for pre-order now, and the release date is coming up (September 28, 2016), so I better be up-and-running real soon. I sure as heck don’t want to crash and burn.

I angst over my plane’s complicated control panel. I fret there will be one crucial button I’ll forget to push. And what happens then to my destination? A nose dive into a sales abyss?

My biggest fear is that I will miss my goal for pre-sale purchases. Rumor has it that strong pre-sales impact Amazon’s magical, mystical, algorithm for suggesting books to readers. “Suggestionville” is definitely one place all authors want their plane to land.

So what am I doing to “book” a successful sales journey? Here are few things, some of which are new to me. Perhaps they will help you reach your sales destination, too.

I hired a promoter to help with more guest blog spots than I had been able to co-ordinate on my own (I’ll let you know how this goes).
Started with marketing and promotion (i.e. setting up book-signings, author interviews, etc.) much earlier than before.
Reached out to more people on social media (meaningful reaching out, by the way, not just randomly friending and following).
Reached out to more book bloggers.
Reached out to more book review sites.
Got a head start on my schedule as a mom, since back-to-school is the exact same month my book launches (setting up all the carpooling, and their after-school activity calendar, ain’t easy).
Upkeep my author’s calendar, so I don’t mess up a date.

I admit the flight to my ultimate destination has had a little turbulence. So far, I’ve managed to keep my lunch down. Let’s hope I can keep sales up.

Suggestionville, here I come!

If you’re an author, what do you do for your pre-flight check? If you’re a reader, what would you like to see an author do to reach out?

Below is the Book blurb for JOCKEYING FOR YOU (to be released 9/28/16)  Amazon pre-order link: http://amzn.to/2clOJK3

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorStacyHoff

Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC http://amzn.to/1KjfP9V

DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES http://amzn.to/1YEseie

LAWFULLY YOURS http://amzn.to/1Ky5CZm

 

SEASON OF LOVE http://amzn.to/1NsByfu

Book Blurb for JOCKEYING FOR YOU

Jake Carter is on a mission—to prove his family wrong. He may have bought a troubled horse, but he’s hired Ryder Hannon, a “horse whisperer,” to get his horse back on track. She’s more than just a trainer to him, she’s the woman he’s been looking for.

Ryder Hannon, a thoroughbred horse trainer, has a big problem—fighting her fear of racing again. Her emotional scars run deeper than her physical ones. But her romantic feelings towards handsome, uber-rich, stable owner Jake Carter is a bigger problem. Is Jake truly in love with her or is he using her to get back at his smug family? ­

When Jake’s jockey gets injured, he wants Ryder to race. He knows deep down she wants to live up to her family’s legacy. So why does she keep fighting him—and her destiny—so hard?

http://amzn.to/2clOJK3

Pictures above taken of Saratoga Springs and Saratoga Spa State Park by Stacy Hoff. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.

Filed under: A writer's life, Author Interviews, blog party, contemporary romance, Marketing, New Release, Promotion, Publications, publishing, romance, Stacy Hoff

Agent Jennifer Johnson-Blalock’s Perspective on Pitching by Heather Novak

What’s preparing for an in-person pitch like for an author?  “…palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy…” Okay, yes. Sometimes I think in Eminem lyrics, I am from Detroit.

But what about the “other side?” What do agents think during a pitch session? I’m thrilled to introduce Jennifer Johnson-Blalock of Liza Dawson Associates Literary Agency, who is here to give us a peek at life on the other side of the table.

Jennifer Johnson-Blalock joined Liza Dawson Associates as an associate agent in 2015, having previously interned at LDA in 2013 before working as an agent’s assistant at Trident Media Group. Jennifer graduated with honors from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in English and earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Before interning at LDA, she practiced entertainment law and taught high school English and debate. Follow her on Twitter @JJohnsonBlalock, and visit her website: www.jjohnsonblalock.com.

To really take you into the scene, here is a dual POV of what a pitch session is like: 

How do you get ready for a pitch session?

HN (Heather Novak): Pre-pitch, I’ll spend weeks annoying my family, friends, coworkers, critique group, the pitch workshop instructor, and even my mailman Elvis (no really, that’s his name). I read them my pitch over and over and over again until it’s exactly where I want it — 133 words (or less) of tightly wrapped main conflict, scribbled on color coded note cards. I then change my clothes 34 times only to settle back on the first outfit and then redo my makeup because I sneezed and black eye liner went up my forehead. I’m extra talented like that.

JJB (Jennifer Johnson-Blalock): Go to the bathroom and then maybe do that again–once they start the pitch session, we’re basically chained to the chair until it’s over haha. Get coffee and water: caffeinate; hydrate. Make sure I have business cards at the ready in case I need to hand them out (I hope I need to hand them out!). Grab a piece of paper and a pen just in case. 

Now, it’s time for the pitch session.

HN: I’m concentrating on my breathing as I check in, trying to calm my thudding heart…not because I’m a master yogi, but because I don’t want to sweat my makeup off (Priorities!). My stomach flips as they call my name and I’m escorted down the hall, words of encouragement from the moderators filling my ears.

JJB: I’m clearing my mind and preparing to listen–I have no idea what I’m about to hear, but I’m hopeful it will be something I’m looking for. 

 HN: I can’t hide my smile when I walk in the room. This is a brilliant opportunity to get feedback on my pitch, whether it be a positive or negative response. I remember the quote that my pitch session teacher said, “Agents want you to succeed as much as you do.” I introduce myself, sit down, and start my pitch.

JJB: Once the pitch starts, my mind races. Like many readers, I’m a visual person–it’s tough for me to process information audibly. I’m listening hard, trying to figure out a) if this is something I want to see more of and b) what feedback I could give that would be helpful. I don’t pay much attention to how the pitch is delivered, except insofar that a well delivered pitch helps me to better understand the content. But the content is paramount; you may have a difficult time pitching but still be a fantastic writer.

 HN: The first few seconds after a pitch is terrifying. There’s always a beat of silence in which 1000 hopes hang in the air. I take a deep breath and prepare to answer questions about my story, my characters, and my vision for my career. (A pitch should take less than one minute, leaving plenty of time for Q&A.)

The decision.

JJB: I have to make a snap decision about whether to request pages and how many to ask for. I tend to be generous–if the concept sounds at all appealing, I’ll at least ask for the query and 10-20 pages, just so I can see it on paper. If I’m asking to see pages, it’s pretty easy–the author is happy! I do try to temper expectations, though; if it’s a stretch, I’ll be upfront that I like this element of the story but am unsure of this part. If it’s a no, I try to be specific about what aspect didn’t appeal to me. 

In short three-to-five minute pitch sessions, the yes or no is really all we have time for. If it’s a longer ten-to-fifteen minute session, regardless of whether I requested or not, I do my best to make the session beneficial. I offer to give feedback on the pitch itself or answer any questions they have about me, my agency, or publishing as a whole. If it’s a no simply because I don’t represent that genre, I’ll try to think of a couple agents they might query. If the author has their query letter on hand, and we have time, I’m happy to take a quick look at it. I want our time together to be as useful for the author as possible.

 HN: If the agent requested material – I’m so excited I can barely talk. I take the agent’s card and instructions to submit and thank them for everything. If the agent decides to pass – I thank them for everything and wish them well during the rest of the conference. After all, I want to find someone who is as passionate about my project as I am!

 JJB: Saying yes is the best because we’re all happy. If I have to say no, I try to do so as gently and constructively as possible. The absolute worst is when someone walks away upset or angry. If I’m really excited about something, I’ll make a note so I can keep an eye out for it in my inbox and read as soon as possible. I know sometimes manuscripts need another revision or an extra polish after a conference, but I really am eager to read after pitch sessions!

Any final thoughts?

 JJB: Pitch sessions can be hard on both the author and the agent. On the agent’s side, we often take pitches for hours at a time, which is tiring even if everything goes perfectly, and often these sessions happen in the midst of conferences at which we’re already participating on panels or taking informal pitches at cocktail parties. We know authors often pay extra for pitch sessions, but keep in mind that the agent often isn’t getting paid beyond travel expenses. I participate in conferences and pitch sessions because I’m looking for new talent, but also because I truly want to help writers and give back to the publishing community. Remember that pitch sessions are not the only way to find an agent and that at the end of the day, we really are all on the same team. 

HN: Agents are humans, too. Try not to bother them when they’re in the bathroom, getting coffee, eating, at a restaurant with friends…you can see where I’m going with this. If you want to connect to an agent, try social media! Or a good, solid query. 

Thank you, Jennifer, for coming to share your perspective on Nights of Passion blog! It was wonderful to have you here. Stay gold, Nights of Passion readers.

On this day in 1952 – The Ernest Hemingway novel “The Old Man and the Sea” was published.

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,

Heather Novak

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