Hope for Novelists and Other Writers by da-AL

Posted on by da-AL

Do you have an elevator speech? Book writers are told that they need an ‘elevator speech’ — a one-minute pitch for when they inadvertently meet their star-maker. It’s also useful for talking about one’s book with everyone else.

Theoretically, that is. My elevator speech rarely gets past the first floor.

Bunny rabbit outfitted person reads paper.
Ryan McGuire of Gratisography is a smart bunny.

But I love my books, which is why I keep at them. My two novels are in the final edit phase as I build an audience of followers (that means you, dear reader) who I hope will be interested in them when they’re self-published. They’re narrated by a 40-year-old woman, in the form of letters to a deceased grandmother.

“An epistolary novel: written in the form of a series of letters.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary

The Hope Part of this Post: This video reminds me of me pitching my book — and Maria Keogh Semple’s “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” did great!

Here’s part 2 of her pitching (this time to another very successful author), which is also shown comically yet realistically…

Semple’s book is so successful that Cate Blanchette is starring in a movie version of it!

What’s been people’s reaction when you tell them about your books?

Published by da-AL

Happiness Between Tails blog/podcast speaks to and from the heart. It connects lovers — of pets, authors, reading — and of my still-unreleased novels. “Flamenco + the Sitting Cat” and “Tango + the Sitting Cat,” are my love letters to all who fear they're too odd, too damaged, too old, too whatever to find love and happiness with or without a partner. HappinessBetweenTails.com • ContactdaAL@gmail.com • BuyMeACoffee.com/SupportHBT

47 thoughts on “Hope for Novelists and Other Writers by da-AL”

  1. da-AL, The first time I heard the term “elevator speech” was in a class designed to help people in their job search. In my elevator speech, I was to say what I could do, what my qualifications were, what kind of job I wanted. I found my one-minute “elevator speech” was only effective if and when I ran into someone in a time-limited capacity whom I thought could possibly promote me in some nebulous manner (yep, sarcasm). Needless to say, I never used that speech after learning and rehearsing it in class.

    What I have found more effective first (long ago) in job searches, was expanding my list of contacts, and now currently, is by expanding my contacts to include other poets, other authors, even the publishers of same whenever possible. In this process, I have found a few whom I call friend … like you. I’m still not published, but “hope springs eternal.”

    Brava, da-Al on your two books. I hope to soon applaud their publication. Again, BRAVA, my friend.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Many thanks for your support, Barbara — I’m sending you my best thoughts that your writing will be appreciated by a wide audience. I’d never heard of elevator speech used in non-publishing context. Indeed, your approach seems the most sane and satisfying 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Hello fellow writers & authors. The elevator pitch is, in fact, interesting. I would suggest an alternative method for getting your work published. My suggestion would be Kindle Publishing. The nugget often missed here is that, upon completion, you will have two bodies of work. Happy writing 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Thank you for posting this hilarious bunch of trailers, Daal. Yep, it’s the elevator pitch and the query letter that are bogging me down. I’ve written four novels (not counting the three I wrote for children decades ago) and I always lose courage at this end stage. BUT – three people knowledgeable about my topic from three perspectives are very supportive of my third book, the one about a family dealing with a loved one who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. So how am I doing? Waiting for one more review and then I’m going to throw myself to the dogs – Garth Stein, where are you? I love dogs, and there are dogs in all my stories – maybe though, only as walk-ons.

    Wishing you the very best with your epistolary novel, Daal – even if it isn’t epistolary but simply extraordinary. (Have you read Salmon Fishing on the Yemen? Excellent!!) Yes, I’m one of your audience of followers.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m so glad you’re getting positive feedback, Sharon. Indeed, I’m sure your book will be wonderful. You are a concise, vivid writer, & you are writing from your heart, with heart. A long time ago, I happened to go to a sort of writers group held at a bookstore. Someone asked what I was writing about & as soon as I told them, they gave me the most disappointed look. That’s when I learned to be picky about who I share inspiration with & that I’d rather have my story finished before I risk having someone take the wind out of my sails. I wish you the very best & am definitely among your followers too — it is such a gift to find someone who can relate so well ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Good morning dear da-AL and thanks for sharing this story of perseverance and triumph. Very positive! Let me tell you that YOU are making me work extra in my second manuscript as that section of yours,” A nugget of Wisdom”, is straining my neuronal capacity. Can you imagine what it’s like to conceive and insert a sub-section for male education in the middle of an essay aimed for the ladies? Sometimes I feel that I have a thousand women whispering in my ear: “tell him this” or “tell him that.” Women. They make us work so hard. .Un baccione. Arrivederci!

    Liked by 2 people

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