✎ pitch 'n' submit
What is 'Memoir Plus' and why is it so hot right now? — Nour Sallam - Literary Agent
Nour Sallamnoursallam.com
These days, it’s hard to get a book deal for a literary memoir if you’re not famous and don’t have a big platform. You have a better chance of getting a book deal if you pursue what the publishing industry is increasingly referring to as “memoir plus” — memoir plus reportage, for instance, or memoir plus a social history of a topic, or memoir plus ... See more
Mallary Tenore Tarpley • How attending events can inform your writing & build community
lots of good pitching advice — mention the readers, tell them your turnaround time, explain the style you’ll write in, more
I'm pitching a timely personal essay that would delve into why, as a lifelong runner, I no longer run Turkey Trots. These trots have made Thanksgiving the most popular running day in the U.S., but they’re often touted as ways to “earn” a “guilt-free” Thanksgiving meal, as though one must repent for eating in excess. As someone who has spent my enti... See more
Skip the diet talk today (+3 writing-related tips)
example pitch (local newspaper opinion section)
Ask to see the final version.
I always ask to see the final version of a story before it gets published. It gives me peace of mind to give it one final read and to ensure that all of the necessary edits were made. I also ask to see the headline and subhead to make sure they accurately reflect the story. This is especially important when writing abo... See more
I always ask to see the final version of a story before it gets published. It gives me peace of mind to give it one final read and to ensure that all of the necessary edits were made. I also ask to see the headline and subhead to make sure they accurately reflect the story. This is especially important when writing abo... See more
Mallary Tenore Tarpley • 10 lessons learned from pitching, reporting, and writing my new Teen Vogue story
seems obvious, but!!
I always highlight names and facts in my story as a visual reminder to double and triple check these details.
10 lessons learned from pitching, reporting, and writing my new Teen Vogue story
fact-checking reminder!!
Remember that your idea may evolve.
As I did my reporting, I realized that the story was going to be less about harmful character chatbots and more about how teenagers are using AI for mental health support and eating disorder recovery — and how clinicians are responding. I still included the report that I had initially framed my pitch around, but ... See more
As I did my reporting, I realized that the story was going to be less about harmful character chatbots and more about how teenagers are using AI for mental health support and eating disorder recovery — and how clinicians are responding. I still included the report that I had initially framed my pitch around, but ... See more
10 lessons learned from pitching, reporting, and writing my new Teen Vogue story
your pitch can change if your reporting changes it — communicate these with the editor in advance of submitting the draft
magazines where essays win awards
Every time I read a query, the opening paragraph ends with a list of big, overarching themes. And I want to convince you, nay, challenge you, to lead with intrigue instead.
The theme sentence is usually some variation of:
The theme sentence is usually some variation of:
- A memoir of the complications of love.
- A generational saga of love, loss, and life at sea. (Okay, life at sea is intriguing.)
- A lit
12 Agents Looking for Your Coming-of-Age Books
query openings that lead with intrigue rather than theme/topic first sentences