Sometimes I think it’s harder to write a pitch line for your book than to write the story. How many of you have ever felt that way? I tend to read some of the one-sentence pitches for a movie. They’re short and to the point and tell the viewer, more or less, what to expect.

There’s other ways, though. Read author Nathan Bradford’s post on his blog. It is titled: “How to Write a One-Sentence Pitch.” He writes that there’s “an art to it.” Part of the article reads:

There are three basic elements in a good one-sentence pitch:

• The opening conflict (called the Inciting Incident by Robert McKee)
• The obstacle
• The quest 

The quest can be a physical or interior journey, but it’s what happens to the character(s) between the moment when the plot begins and ends. The opening conflict is the first step in that quest. It’s how the journey begins. The obstacle is what stands in the way of that journey.

Read the entire article. Excellent information if you’re looking for a pitch line.

If you’re looking for an agent, you might want to visit the website, BookEnds Literary. They are open to submissions. For guidelines, go to their website.

By the way, I just sent my collection of poems to an editor. Wish me luck. Also, tomorrow I do one last school visit before school’s over for the summer.

This giant butterfly sculpture is in the Botanical Gardens in San Antonio.

Literacy Events: Yesterday I had the pleasure of doing a presentation, reading, and book signing for a Night of Celebration, Texas STEM, ESC Region 20, for migrant and bilingual students and families in Carrizo Springs, Texas. It was an awesome event.

The week before, I was part of the Día de los Niños/Day of the Children/Books celebration at Plaza Guadalupe in San Antonio. Another great event.

PLAZA GUADALUPE

Black and White Publishing is accepting unsolicited manuscripts. Visit their website for more information and guidelines.

Another publisher, The Innovation Press, is open to submissions.

SchoolWide, Inc., Digital Publishing is also accepting submissions. View their guidelines.

“The literature of America should reflect the children of America.” – Lucille Clifton (Poet)