But before I give you today's pitch, I have some super awesome exciting news! A new twist to Would You Read It.
So far, I have posted people's pitches (I just have to stop and admire that accidental alliteration :)) and you all have written in with your opinions and helpful comments.
NOW, in addition, we are going to have a vote once a month where you all get to say which of the pitches for that month you thought was best. The winner's pitch will be read by none other than Erin Molta, editor extraordinaire!!!
Erin is an experienced senior editor of picture book, early readers, chapter, middle grade, and YA books, as well as novelty and licensed titles. She has been in children's publishing for more than twenty years and has a keen understanding of early reader through YA audiences. She has an excellent reputation with established authors, illustrators, and agents.
She is currently evaluating manuscripts for publishers as well as freelance editing for prospective authors before submission to publishing houses.
What an opportunity!
Erin will read each month's winning pitch and supply valuable feedback to the author on how to improve it. And who knows? If she likes it enough, she may ask for a partial or complete ms to read!
And you thought Would You Read It couldn't get any better :)
I must also add that Erin has a special place in my heart... it was she who purchased my very first ms for publication, The House That Mack Built for Little Simon :) ... so you know she has good taste :)
Because the first 2 Would You Read It entries were in July and there were only 2, the first vote will include them with the August entries, which means there will be 5 or 6 instead of 4 or 5 and the vote will take place after the final August entry. (Which gives me a week to figure out Poll Daddy or some other voting scheme - advice welcome :))
But isn't this so exciting???!!!
OKAY! So onward to today's pitch, which comes to us from the lovely Pam, a writer, mother, and teacher of maritime history and seamanship at the San Diego Maritime Museum.
Pam presents us with this entry:
Title: When This Is Over, I Will Go To School And I Will Learn To Read: A Story Of Hope And Friendship For One Young Kenyan Orphan
Genre: PB
The Pitch: No one knows the story of Kenya better than the children who live it, and it is their truth that is certain to nudge the hearts and minds of parents, teachers and children everywhere.
So what do you think? Would You Read It? YES, MAYBE or NO?
If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest. If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Pam improve her pitch. Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome. (However, I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful. I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)
Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks! For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on the Would You Read It tab in the bar above. (I figured y'all would get tired of me rewriting the same paragraph every week about the rules of the game so I put them up there :))
As an added note, this week's entry is a little different. Pam has self-published and is looking for ways to bring attention to her book, hence her interest in improving her pitch. If you're interested in learning more about Pam and her book, please visit her website and view her trailer on YouTube (the link for which I cannot get to work in spite of just trying 400 times so please search When This Is Over.mp4 by mabeldog4).
Pam eagerly awaits your comments and suggestions, and Erin is waiting excitedly in the wings for the first pitch winner in a week or two!!!
