Pitching a piece of writing is a nerve-wracking ordeal, and creating a "leave behind" will give you confidence and keep you from stumbling about and embarrassing yourself. A leave behind is a one-page presentation of your project. (See guide.) Make two copies. Keep one to refer to and give the other to the editor. If the editor allows you to leave that copy behind, so much the better.

Your Very Own Leave Behind (A Guide)

Across the top, include your name and contact information along with the genre and word count of your work.

   Your Name                                                                        Mystery/Intrigue
   Your Address                                                                    100,000 words
   Your Phone Number
   Your E-mail Address

Below that, center the title of your manuscript, typed in all caps.

THE INFINITY FACTOR

Next, five paragraphs to keep your pitch on track.

CONTEXT: The setting (time and place) of your manuscript.

PRESENT DAY

LOG LINE: A short (one or two word sentence) capsule of your story.

BEGINNING: Introduce your protagonist, reveal the INCITING INCIDENT. Now we can see what this character wants/needs and the main obstacle/conflict. State the DRAMATIC QUESTION, which is the thrust of your story.

MIDDLE: Give enough details in this micro-synopsis to show how your story builds and gains momentum. List further obstacles and complications.

ENDING: This will contain the climax resolution and closure.

LOG LINE: A soldier comes home from the war in Iraq and learns his wife and daughter are missing.

BEGINNING: Sgt. Ronald Baker lands at Fort Hood but his wife Lena and his five-year-old daughter Valerie do not meet him as planned. (INCITING INCIDENT) He calls home repeatedly, but there is no answer. Reluctantly, Ron calls his estranged brother Steve, who hangs up on him.

In Houston, the family home is locked up tight; both cars are in the closed garage. Lights are blazing, upstairs and down. The security system is armed. In the backyard, the dog is dead of a gunshot wound to the left eye. The animal has been dead approximately twelve hours.

DRAMATIC QUESTION: Will Ron Baker get his family back?

MIDDLE: In the frantic weeks that follow, the case becomes a media circus, a cause celebre. The Houston police, especially grizzled veteran Detective Lieutenant Charles "Charlie" Morgan, are at a standstill. So is Ron Baker. There are no clues, nada. One good thing. When Ron's brother Steve learned his niece and sister-in-law had disappeared, the brothers were reconciled. Throughout the ordeal, Steve has been Ron's most steadfast supporter.

ENDING: We learn that Steve Baker has been holding Lena and Valerie at a rented fishing camp all these weeks. Morbidly jealous, Steve flipped out when he learned that Ron was returning home a highly decorated war hero. Steve had intended to kill Lena and Valerie, but balks at actually murdering his brother's wife and child. He turns them loose, leaves a suicide note, calls Detective Morgan, and shoots himself.

CLOSURE: Ron and his family begin trying to rebuild their lives.

When you’ve finished your pitch, assure the editor the book is finished. Don’t lie; it is complete, isn’t it? And revised and polished until it shines?

Be prepared to answer questions. End by asking “May I send you a proposal?” Whether the answer is yes or no, be courteous and professional.

BK Reeves has been writing and publishing fiction and nonfiction since she was very young. She spent many years as an instructor, but has lately retired from the teaching game. She still takes a few private students and enjoys speaking at seminars.

Copyright © 2005 B.K. Reeves. All rights reserved. Used with permission.