Hey pals, I want to talk a bit about pitching graphic novels online - #dvpit is coming up soon & the wonderful @beth_phelan has decided to try adding a specific day for graphic novels - Remember, #dvpit is specifically for marginalized authors & illustrators. So if that doesn't-

-describe you, please don't participate in #dvpit, BUT there are many other twitter pitch parties that this info will be helpful for where you can pitch your graphic novels or yourself as an illustrator. -

I'd encourage everybody to start with this great post from @nilaffle about crafting a GN pitch in general. Highlights are: you want your pitch to be less than 280 characters + room for hashtags. It may also be helpful to craft more than one pitch - https://subitclub.com/2017/09/14/pitching-graphic-novels-for-twitter-pitch-parties/

This is great because if 1 pitch doesn't do it for some agents/editors, another might, and you get good practice pitching your work succinctly. You can learn what works, what's most effective, what might be misleading, etc. Pitch parties aren't just about networking -

- they're learning experiences. How are you going to market yourself? What feels best? What works?

For illustration, if you have a graphic novel with an illustrator attached (or you're illustrating yourself), just my opinion but you don't necessarily need finished spec art -

If you want to participate & you're not quite finished with a polished pitch, you can attach character sketches, background work, basically anything you have. Some agents/editors will want that full pitch ready to be sent immediately. I also personally am ok with liking a pitch &

-getting it 6 months later. It's ready when it's ready. That said, put your best foot forward. Don't submit to people who like your pitch if it's not ready - you need to serve your work by putting your best foot forward. ALWAYS serve your work.

If you don't have an illustrator, or if you're an illustrator who doesn't have art ready, you can still pitch! It's just like pitching prose, but a graphic novel.

Please do NOT post art with your pitch that doesn't go with your pitch. It could set up false expectations for -

the project. If you're using someone else's illustrations, you may not be being kind to them (always ask to post an artist's illustrations). We're at a bigger word count now at 280, I don't think it'd be amiss if artist were tagged in your pitch, as applicable. A simple: -

"Art @ __________" It probably won't take that much space, artist gets credited, A+.

Now to the pitch itself! Agents & editors want to see what the book is about. The pitch needs to be clear - main character(s) & conflict, yes, but can you build in world? Stakes? - & in graphic novel, you can attach spec art that will relay tone, setting, etc. -

Make use of the format! in this instance, your pitch gives context to the images we're seeing. Don't hold back; take our breath away! A hook, a punch. There are a lot of possibilities, and I'm really excited them.

#dvpit is also doing a great thing for graphic novelists in that you don't necessarily have to have a pitch ready. If you're a marginalized graphic novel illustrator looking for an agent, fresh out of school, or even just between projects, you can pitch your portfolio.

In that instance, you just need a little about yourself, the types of projects you want to work on/what's important to you, and some images representative of the work you want to be hired for. This last is important - lots of illustrators post things they're capable of -

-bc they want to book the most jobs. That's fine for work for hire! But in publishing, an agent or editor wants to see what you like to do. We want to know what you envision the next year (two years?) of your life looking like. We don't want you to sign a 300 page gn you won't -

-enjoy drawing. This is your time to tell us who you are and who you want to be. That's so important! An editor may see your art & say, "you know, I have the perfect project in house for this person!" & reach out to you. And an agent may say, "Wow, I would love to develop a -

-project with art like that. I want that person on my team!" Editors reach out to artists all the time and say, "let's please find a project to work on together!" So for your portfolio, really focus on showcasing yourself & what you love.

There's lots of good advice on twitter about effectively posting portfolios, but I'm linking here to @TheFoofinator's thread from #portfolioday - there are LOTS of hashtags with great examples, and the last #portfolioday was just last week! https://twitter.com/TheFoofinator/status/1115708277118181376

Basically, don't undercut yourself! Serving your work is serving you, so be confident! Don't talk down about yourself! Be brave! Say hi! This applies to all pitching ever, or just generally things we should all be doing in our lives, honestly.

Of course, follow guidelines for any pitch competition, linking again to #dvpit rules here, but also, have fun! : http://dvpit.com/rulesguidelines 

This thread was mainly about graphic novels, but all of this information applies to picture books as well if you're an illustrator or an author illustrator. Serve your work - portfolios and pitches. I believe in you!