Twitter Pitch Parties: Are They Worth It?

[Rachael Jack]

I have participated in a few Twitter Pitches over the years. While I think the concept is intriguing, I feel like it is highly unlikely someone's work will get noticed. Pitches get lost in the the slush pile of the Twitterverse.

In addition, several pitch organizations/groups have dissolved their Twitter Pitch fests. One in particular is #faithpitch. Where Christian author's can pitch their inspirational work and try to get noticed.

I think overall, an author has just as much luck getting published traditionally by querying alone. Especially if trad pub is what they are looking for.

 

[lynnmosher]

Yeah, I think you're right. And even though I've never heard of it, I don't see how a Twitter pitch would be of much use.

 

[Rachael Jack]

Yeah, I think you're right. And even though I've never heard of it, I don't see how a Twitter pitch would be of much use.

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They're a way for people in the industry to quickly find writers who are trying to get traditionally published. I have heard several success stories of people finding agents or smaller publishers to get their work published. But if you aren't active on Twitter and have little to no followers—like me—your tweets get lost in the algorithm. In my opinion.

 

[Jeff Potts]

I have participated in a few Twitter Pitches over the years. While I think the concept is intriguing, I feel like it is highly unlikely someone's work will get noticed. Pitches get lost in the the slush pile of the Twitterverse.

In addition, several pitch organizations/groups have dissolved their Twitter Pitch fests. One in particular is #faithpitch. Where Christian author's can pitch their inspirational work and try to get noticed.

I think overall, an author has just as much luck getting published traditionally by querying alone. Especially if trad pub is what they are looking for.

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If you're talking #PitMad, then yes - don't bother.

It is a system that is loaded with cliques and flooded with tens of thousands of people posting pitches. And the space allowed isn't large enough to do the pitch justice. If you really desire being published traditionally, go through the standard soul-crushing process of querying. While the results may be the same, you have a better chance of getting back some feedback on your query, even if it is a standardized rejection.

Many established agents only use Twitter for exposure. Some don't use it at all. Both agents that requested a manuscript from me? Not on Twitter. In fact, I don't recall seeing them on Facebook either.

 

[Rachael Jack]

Agreed. I'm not even a fan of Twitter. Pitch Parties are the new slush pile. I only use it to find agents and what they're looking for, in conjunction with search engines, and other research methods.

To the trenches!

 

[AHumbleWarrior]

Both agents that requested a manuscript from me?

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@Jeff Potts, and anyone else who uses an agent, would you be willing to post an article here expanding on your experience(s)?

 

[Shamrock]

I think it is yet another way for the organisers and writers to promote themselves to gain followers which seems.to be a big.part of using twitter nowadays.

 

[Nicola]

I got an offer to pitch to Monster Ivy Press. They read my first pages and said I wasn't edgy enough for them. But I was grateful that they gave feedback.
It is a good exercise in elevator pitching. You have very few words to convey your brilliance.

 

[Shamrock]

They told me I was too edgy for them !

 

[Jeff Potts]

I got an offer to pitch to Monster Ivy Press. They read my first pages and said I wasn't edgy enough for them. But I was grateful that they gave feedback.
It is a good exercise in elevator pitching. You have very few words to convey your brilliance.

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Heh, yeah...Monster Ivy.

I tried submitting there a few years back. My stuff is a little on the edgy side. They had manuscript submissions. I received a rejection in less than 24 hours. I don't even think they bothered to read the manuscript.

One can only speculate as to why...

 

[Zee]

Having read both @Nicola and @Shamrock’s work, I kind of wonder about Monster Ivy Press…

 

[Rachael Jack]

I think it is yet another way for the organisers and writers to promote themselves to gain followers which seems.to be a big.part of using twitter nowadays.

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In the end, I might be a unicorn and get noticed. But I will say, it was/is an exercise in putting myself out there.

 

[Rachael Jack]

I kind of wonder about Monster Ivy Press…

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What do you mean by this? Like are they legit, or what specifically?

 

[Zee]

What do you mean by this? Like are they legit, or what specifically?

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What I mean is, @Shamrock’s stories, while excellent, I would not describe as particularly edgy—classic family dramas with some mystery and suspense, while @Nicola’s work, which is also stellar, is dark and unusual Christian Sci-Fi, with themes that raise as many questions as they answer.

So I would question how much of either author they’ve actually read…almost sounds like they have a pile of alternating “too edgy” “not edgy enough” rejection slips.