Navigating the Plotting of a Novel Equates to Serving in the Secret Service Secret Service analogies applied to novel pitching process.
In the bustling world of literature, one event stands out for aspiring writers seeking to make their mark - Pitchfest. Every year, the International Thriller Writers (ITW) hosts the Thrillerfest conference, which culminates in this high-stakes event. This year, hundreds of writers, from first-time novelists to famous authors, mingled at the reception following Pitchfest, each with hopes of landing an agent.
J.J. Hensley, a former police officer and Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service, was among them. Hensley, who found success with his first novel, Resolve, which was a Thriller Awards finalist in 2014, was no stranger to the thrill of the pitch.
Pitchfest offers writers a chance to make a verbal pitch to literary agents, hoping to secure representation. However, the event is not without its challenges. Discomfort is common due to crowded rooms and limited air conditioning. Writers may find themselves spending a significant amount of time standing and waiting as they line up to speak to agents.
To improve their chances, writers need to have a strategy and do a risk assessment to determine how to approach their high-priority representatives. They may need to react quickly if an agent on their priority list has a shorter line. Some writers even dress up for the occasion, which can lead to discomfort if they are not properly prepared.
Hensley, who spent seven years with the USSS, learned that protection assignments involve common factors such as standing, waiting, uncertainty, risk, being ready to react, periods of discomfort, and relief when it's over. During his time with the USSS, he conducted investigations involving counterfeiting, check fraud, wire fraud, and cell phone cloning.
After leaving the USSS, Hensley became a crime fiction writer. The phrase "Wheels Up" is a relief for those involved in protection assignments, and can also be felt at the end of Pitchfest. For writers, it signifies the moment of relief after the intense event.
While it can take weeks or months to hear back from agents after Pitchfest, the event offers a unique opportunity for writers to take a step closer to their publishing dreams. Hensley, who has a website where he shares articles, is a testament to this. He continues to write suspenseful stories that captivate readers, drawing on his experiences in the Secret Service.
Information about which literary agents participated in Pitchfest 20xx and the manuscripts they requested is not publicly available. However, the anticipation and excitement leading up to the event, and the relief felt when it's over, are shared experiences among the writers who brave the thrill of Pitchfest.
Some writers may even have cloud bubbles above their heads with the words "Wheels Up" written inside, a symbol of the relief they feel when the event comes to an end. For these writers, the journey to publication continues, but the memories and lessons learned at Pitchfest stay with them, ready to be woven into their future stories.
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