The Pitch

Posted on by Wynne Leon

On episode 108 of the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast that will be released this coming Friday, March 21, Vicki and I talk with Wall Street Journal and Amazon charts best-selling author, Barbara Nickless. Barbara writes smart thrillers that I LOVE! Somehow in the midst of her rich characters making discoveries, I find clues to my own depths.

Vicki and I have been working on our pitches to authors like Barbara Nickless. While social media and the web make it so much easier to connect, it’s really difficult to reach out to people we admire by reputation and for their work. After all, no matter how familiar their name is to us, we’re a stranger to them.

Along the way, I’ve noticed three things about the pitch process.

  1. Nothing is going to happen unless we try. This doesn’t need any explanation. But it’s a good mantra when I need to be goaded into action.
  2. Writing and talking about writing are complimentary actions. Most authors understand the marketing activities that come with publishing. But more than that, a delightful conversation about writing is inspiring in and of itself. There’s a symbiotic relationship between writer, publisher, and reader that comes with its own energy and insight. In all of the conversations that make up our 108 episodes, we have learned and been motivated by each and every guest. We hope that ripples out to the everyone tuning in as well.
  3. Every “no” gets us closer to a “yes.” Even when we don’t get a response, I learn something about pitching. Whether it’s how to find an email address or how to phrase the ask, it’s a process that can improve with each iteration.

It also makes the yeses so much fun. Sometimes it’s a pitch and a miss – but sometimes it’s a hit. Can’t wait for you all to hear the delightful conversation that Vicki and I had with Barbara Nickless! It’s a hit for sure!

(featured photo from Pexels)

Want to make sure you don’t miss this podcast? Subscribe now! Search for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or Pocketcasts. Or you can subscribe to our YouTube channel for videos of our interviews and shorts.

You can find me on Instagram @wynneleon and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/

My other projects include work as a CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer), speaking about creativity and AI through the Chicago Writer’s Association. My book about my journey to find what fueled my dad’s indelible spark and twinkle can be found on Amazon: Finding My Father’s Faith.

28 thoughts on “The Pitch”

  1. I look forward to this new episode, Wynne and Vickie! I love seeing your podcast expand to include more authors. Always enjoy hearing about the creative process.

    Good for you both for making the pitch. Social media and the internet has indeed made it more convenient to connect but finding the chutzpah to reach out still requires a level of comfort and confidence and a leap of faith. So congrats for doing it and getting those interviews! The second season of HOTM is all the better because of it!

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  3. “Nothing is going to happen unless I try” is the perfect mantra for all aspects of life. The more I talk about writing, the more writing I get done! And “Every no gets closer to a yes” makes me think of the quote attributed to Wayne Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” I love this and look forward to the conversation.

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    2. I love that you affirm that talking about writing helps to be productive, Darlene! We’ve heard that from other authors. So grateful to you for coming on and being part of our collective creative process! ❤

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  7. Ninety years ago, day after day looking for a job, my dad said to himself, ,”Every knock is a boost.” You echo him with the words, “Every no gets us closer to a yes.” Keep pitching, ladies!

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  8. I just started reading Because of Winn Dixie today to my seniors. It’s written by amazing children’s author, Kate DiCamillo. It is such a fun read about a ten-year-old girl who befriends a lost dog. (Perfect for Miss O). Because Opal’s mother left when she was three, she sees a lot of comparisons between her and the dog. What’s most inspiring about DiCamillo is she received 473 rejection letters before a publisher agreed to sign her for Because of Winn Dixie. Now, any publisher would love to have her sign with them.

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  9. Your third point reminded me of a philosophy many leaders in the Army follow: ‘Let’s get to Yes.’ Some leaders dislike when a team member immediately says no to a request without first investigating what it would take to reach a yes. It might cost a few million dollars to get to yes, but we need to present all the options and let the leader decide whether the answer is no or yes. Awesome, Wynne! Looks like it’s going to be a great episode.

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  13. That’s the attitude. It’s 1 -5 yeses to 10 no’s but I learned how to the increase the odds with I see and i see, oh, I understand, and.. lol It’s just a numbers game.
    You’ve got this! 🙌🏽

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