How do you pitch and market your creative writing to agents, publishers, and readers?

1 Pitch your story

Before you approach any agents or publishers, you need to have a clear and concise pitch for your creative writing project. A pitch is a one-sentence summary that captures the essence, genre, and hook of your story. It should spark curiosity and interest in your potential partners and readers. To craft a strong pitch, you need to identify the main character, the central conflict, the stakes, and the unique twist of your story. For example, a pitch for The Hunger Games could be: "In a dystopian future, a teenage girl volunteers to take her sister's place in a televised fight to the death against 23 other tributes."

2 Write a query letter

A query letter is a formal letter that introduces you and your creative writing project to an agent or a publisher. It should be professional, polite, and persuasive. A query letter typically consists of four parts: the salutation, the pitch, the bio, and the closing. The salutation addresses the agent or publisher by name and shows that you have done your research on their preferences and genres. The pitch expands on your one-sentence summary and showcases the main plot, characters, and themes of your story. The bio highlights your relevant credentials, experience, and achievements as a writer. The closing thanks the agent or publisher for their time and consideration and invites them to request more material if interested.

3 Build an online platform

An online platform is a way of establishing your presence and reputation as a creative writer on the internet. It can include a website, a blog, a social media account, a newsletter, a podcast, or any other medium that allows you to showcase your work, connect with your audience, and promote your brand. An online platform can help you attract agents and publishers, as well as readers and fans. To build an effective online platform, you need to have a clear goal, a consistent voice, a regular schedule, and a value proposition. You need to offer something that is relevant, useful, entertaining, or inspiring to your target audience.

4 Engage with your readers

Engaging with your readers is a crucial part of marketing your creative writing. It can help you build trust, loyalty, and word-of-mouth for your work. Engaging with your readers means communicating with them, listening to their feedback, answering their questions, and inviting their participation. You can engage with your readers through various channels, such as your online platform, email, social media, events, or reviews. You can also use different strategies, such as sharing behind-the-scenes stories, offering exclusive content, running contests or giveaways, or asking for opinions or suggestions.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?