It’s been 13 days since the PitchWars submission window first opened and, if you’re anything like me, you’re feeling the anticipation. Many writers are already getting discouraged because they haven’t received a request (even though mentors have said they’ll be requesting right up until picks are announced October 12). I’m not allowed to publicly discuss if I’ve gotten a request or not, but I’m starting to get a little anxious.
This is my fourth year entering PitchWars, and every time I feel like I’ve gotten closer and closer. The last two years I got a full request from one of my mentor selections, though I wasn’t chosen (these were two different manuscripts). The “problem” with PitchWars is, not only is it subjective (like everything in publishing), but mentees are chosen based on two criteria:
- they’re close but not quite close enough to catching an agent’s notice
- the issues still present in their manuscript are ones THAT SPECIFIC MENTOR feels they are equipped to address
And, of course, the mentor has to absolutely fall in love with the book.
With over 3,000 entries this year (!!!), it’s easy to see why some writers, especially first-time entrants, are feeling discouraged. Each mentor has to wade through 200+ entries, easily, on top of their day jobs, families, and usually revisions and writing of their own. Still, if I don’t get in, I’ll just start querying. I already sent out a few!
In the meantime, I’m gearing up to start work on my space fantasy in the next couple of weeks! It’s difficult to find the time since I work full time and go to school in the evenings, but I’m trying. Once the initial planning and outlining is done, I think squeezing in time to actually draft won’t be so hard. I just need to set aside a couple of solid hours at a time to do planning work or else it won’t get done.
By this time next week, the goal is to have a workable synopsis, at least, and hopefully at least some scenes written out!
Post-Script: Books I’ve Read Since my Last Post
Serial Killers: The Method and Madness of Monsters by Peter Vronsky (**audio**)
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Wired for Story by Lisa Cron (**audio**)
Currently Reading
A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake (**audio**)
