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Butterfly Hearts, PItching your book, Sample pitches

Sample Pitches & Character Music

Almost four weeks ago I blogged about “Pitches,” in various forms. First there was the three minute pitch to an agent, which I think should probably be a 1 minute based on what I’ve read from agent blogs and rides in elevators. Then there’s the  three sentence pitch and the 25 words or less pitch. I committed to creating sample pitches in each area and my 30 days are up tomorrow. So here goes and hope I get this in the ballpark.

I’ll spare you the one to two minute one, because that’s almost 175 words. But I will post the three sentence and 25 words or less. No laughing, spewing or otherwise harming your computer screen, okay?

Three sentence pitch sample:

After Lili Rivera’s 18 year marriage ends she creates a ‘vision board’ for a new life, look, and love. But the road to these goals hits a detour when she’s arrested for drunk driving and her ex-husband is a cop, his fiance a Deputy District Attorney, and Lili’s best friend lost her husband because of a drunk driver. Relationships are tested, secrets unfold, and Lili faces a full custody battle for her twin sons.

Twenty-five words or less:

What if you’re a single mom and a drunk driving arrest lands you in jail and your ex-husband is a cop?

So there it is. Do I hear a:

And/or should I work on it some more?

The other part of today’s post is ‘sample character music.’ These are songs on the playlist compiled by my main character, the protagonist, Lili Rivera age forty something or other. She selected four songs and you should know that she’s totally old skool, she loves Oldies even if they were before her time.

She let her best friend, Veronica (Vero for short) have three songs, because she likes Christian music and Lili isn’t all that fond of that genre but she’s trying to be a better friend. Her ex-husband Joe gets a big nada, but one of the songs does remind her of him. Guess which?

In the meantime, enjoy the music and Lili will be back next Friday. I have to keep her away from those happy hours, tu sabes.

Book Promotion, Books, Marketing strategies for writers, Marketing your Book

Resource list on How to Market your Book



This has got to be the best list on “How to Market Your Book” I’ve come across in one place. The article was compiled by Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent and blogger. These links come from her article. 


“How to Market Your Book” compiled by Rachelle Gardner.

Most of these bloggers have a book or two (or ten) published. A couple are not yet published but nevertheless have been working on platform building.
Most of these links will work indefinitely. So, if you’re ready to start learning about book marketing, start clicking and reading!
Blog Posts (alphabetical order, by last name):
Promoting a Novel: Yes, You Really Have to Do ThatRebecca L. Boschee is the author of two contemporary romance novels, including Last Resort from Avalon Books.
To Promote or Not to PromoteSandra D. Bricker is the award-winning author of 12 novels, including the Emma Rae Creation series that started with Always the Baker, Never the Bride, (Abingdon Press, 2010).
Naked NightmaresJulie Cantrell has published two children’s books, and she’s in the marketing phase of her debut novel, Into the Free (David C. Cook, 2012).
Stick to Writing in One Genre or Else (Plus 10 Quick Marketing Tips)Martha Carris the author of A Place to Call Home: The Amazing Success Story of Modern Orphanagesas well as three novels, and is now working on a thriller.
Creating Book BuzzDianne Christner is the author of the inspirational romance novel,Something Old, just released from Barbour Publishing.
Writers, Market YourselfMegan DiMaria enjoys writing fiction that encourages women, and is the author of the novel Searching for Spice and its sequel, both published by Tyndale House.
The Number One Marketing Hurdle: YOUMike Duran is the author of two books including The Resurrection which released in 2011 from Realms.
5 Book Publishing Myths – DebunkedDena Dyer is an author of five books, including the 2010 Barbour release Let the Crow’s Feet and Laugh Lines Come: Rediscovering Beauty and Self-Worth at Any Age.
Good Taste: Snipping Your Novel’s Reviews for Social MediaRosslyn Elliott is the author of 2011′s Fairer Than Morning, the first in a 3-book historical series from Thomas Nelson.
Ten Ways to Market a Book. Katie Ganshert is a romance writer whose debut novel,Beneath a Velvet Sky, releases in May, 2012 (Waterbrook Multnomah).
Top Marketing Tip: Build a Brand NameKeli Gwyn writes inspirational historical romance and her debut novel will be released by Barbour Publishing in 2012.
The Birds & the Bees of MarketingJody Hedlund is the bestselling author of the award-winning historical, The Preacher’s Bride (Bethany House, 2010) with several more novels forthcoming.
How Does a Writer Market Books? Rick Johnson is the bestselling author ofBecoming Your Spouse’s Better Half and six other books.
Marketing Strategies for New Authors. Lisa Jordan’s debut novel Lakeside Reunionwill be released in 2011 by Harlequin/Steeple Hill.
Marketing Can Be Fun, Really! Jillian Kent is the author of Secrets of the Heart, the first in a 3-book historical romance series from Realms.
Marketing – Next TimeJoanne Kraft has a passion to encourage women through laughter and is the author of Just Too Busy: Taking Your Family on a Radical Sabbatical(Beacon Hill Press, 2011).
A Definitive Post about Author MarketingMaureen Lang writes historical fiction for the inspirational market including her latest release, Whisper on the Wind (Tyndale House).
Marketing: Like a Kid in a Candy StoreRichard Mabry is the author of one non-fiction book and three published novels of medical suspense, including his latest, Diagnosis Death (Abingdon Press).
Why Networking is Marketing (And It’s a Lot of Fun, Too!). Erin MacPherson is the author of The Christian Mama’s Guide to Having a Baby (Guideposts, 2011).
Promoting a Book in 10 Painfully Easy StepsAdam McHugh is the author ofIntroverts in the Church, (IVP, 2009) now in its 6th printing due largely to his own marketing efforts.
How I Happened Upon a Platform. Dineen Miller is co-author of the non-fiction bookWinning Him Without Words: 10 Keys to Thriving in Your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage(Regal Books) and also writes fiction with her debut novel coming in 2012.
Marketing 101: Know Yourself. Be Yourself. Stop WhiningSusan DiMickele is a mother of three, a wife, a busy attorney and the author of Chasing Superwoman: A Working Mom’s Adventures in Life and Faith (David C. Cook, 2010).
Author Marketing: It’s Time to Start StudyingJames H. Pence is a performance chalk artist, singer, speaker, editor, collaborator, and published author of several books including Terror By Night with Terry Caffey (Tyndale, 2009).
Marketing and Social MediaJordyn Redwood’s debut suspense novel Lilly’s Asheswill be published by Kregel in 2012.
Are Authors Egomaniacs? Tim Sinclair is a radio personality and author of Branded: Sharing Jesus with a Consumer Culture (Kregel, 2011).
Supercute Toilet Plungers, Icky Self-Promotion and Doing What Must Be Done.Margot Starbuck is the author of three books, including her latest, Small Things With Great Love (IVP, 2012).
Five Unconventional Ways to Keep Your Book AliveMarla Taviano is the author ofIs That All He Thinks About? (Harvest House, 2007) and three additional books.
Scheduling Book SigningsDeborah Vogts is the author of Seeds of Summer, (Zondervan, 2010) and one additional novel in the Seasons of the Tallgrass series.
What I’ve Learned About Marketing So FarErica Vetsch is the author of A Bride’s Portrait of Dodge City, Kansas (Barbour 2011) and nine other novels and novellas.
That Love-Hate Relationship with MarketingJoan C. Webb is a life coach who has authored thirteen books including The Relief of Imperfection (Regal Books 2007).
The Marketing ConundrumKristin Weber is a stand-up comedian who is working on a memoir about her life as a formerly sheltered homeschooler who ended up in Hollywood at 21 and survived.
To Market, To Market. Catherine West’s debut novel Yesterday’s Tomorrow was released in 2011 from OakTara Publishing.”
Thank you to Ms. Gardner for giving writers such a great resource. You rock!