I’ve been making quite a few edits on my book, Harper Perry and the Pedestrians, and slowly collecting information about what the hell I’m supposed to do once I actually finish this thing.  My number one plan is to clandestinely walk past an all-star agent who fawns over my beautiful dogs and guarantees to land me a multi-million dollar book deal based solely on how amazing and sweet we all are (this is assuming Bear doesn’t do something foolish like head-butt said agent or bark in their face).  I figure I should have back-up plan.  Enter the Book Doctors, Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry (pictured).

These two have have made it their mission to help writers realize their dream of publishing a book, whether it be physical or electronic, self produced or through a publishing house.  As Sterry explained at their recent event, Pitchapalooza held at Word Bookstore, the publishing world industry is undergoing some massive changes right now, much like the music industry in the 90s and early aughts.  It’s an exciting time to be a writer, yet it’s also a supremely confusing time to be a writer.  And, for a lot of us writerly folk, the business side of things can be daunting.  At each Pitchapalooza event, the Book Doctors and guest panelists give audience members one minute to pitch their books, followed up with kind yet critical commentary.  After everyone pitches, the panel decides which one is best and offers the writer a free, 30-minute consultation as his/her prize.  I obviously didn’t win the one I attended, but I did receive some pretty killer advice and a copy of their book, The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published.  Plus, the other pitchers were really amusing. Greenpoint writers have everything to offer from nonfiction on home schooling to bridge tips for wise guys to mysteries and crimes to coffee table books featuring photographs of the containers people keep their weed in (Box of Pot).  I highly recommend the event to all aspiring writers in the world.

So, while I’m tossing out pretty much everything I had written for my pitch, I am keeping the line they loved most: “Harper Perry and the Pedestrians is a hip 1984 geared toward music lovers and musicians, like myself.”  Which just so happens to be the line I added in last minute after reading the first page from their section on pitching.