Mine was a foul. Seriously. Bad.

I’m blessed that Kelli Collins from Ellora’s Cave either felt sorry for me or read between the lines because if I had been listening to my pitch at the Lone Star Writer’s Conference, I would have pointed toward the door and said “Thanks for stopping by.”

She didn’t. She asked for the first novella in my Romantica trilogy. I think I left half my jaw on the floor of the conference room.

It wasn’t that I was ill prepared. Okay, maybe it was, but I prefer to think it was more a case of nerves. It’s the only explanation I can come up with on why my tongue refused to wrap around the words I’d so carefully rehearsed or why my brain cast a foggy shroud over my thoughts. If someone would have given me a shot of something alcoholic, I’m sure I could have walked in with a bravado that would have impressed even the most hesitant of editors or agents. Perhaps a dash of champagne in my orange juice. A Bloody Mary. A Die Trying.

I was Kelli’s first appointment of the day and I truly believe it was my saving grace. I bombed but she still asked for a submission. I’m not ashamed that certain elements worked in my favor. My writing is good. My novella trilogy rocks. My attempt to pitch it sucked.

Following the conference, a group of twenty or so attendees met for dinner at the hotel. I had the good fortune to sit across from Diane Holmes, founder of Pitch University. They say hindsight is twenty twenty. So is synchronicity.

This amazing lady introduced me to her website, Pitch University. If you haven’t been there, go. If you’ve ever thought of pitching, go. If you need to write a query letter, go. If you think you might pitch in the next ten years, go. If you have no interest whatsoever in pitching, go.

Just go.

What an incredible resource. Why didn’t I know about this before my embarrassing attempt at pitching during the conference? It was my first pitch ever. I could have used the information I found at Pitch University. That’s not to say things turned out badly. Luckily I didn't leave with my tail dragging between my legs because . . . thank God . . . Kelli decided to exercise her benevolent side and give me a chance. (She won’t be sorry.)

No one should rely on luck and blind faith. It’s stupid when there are websites like Pitch University to help writers perform to the best of their ability. It won’t relieve a case of nerves. It won’t loosen a tied up tongue. It will infuse confidence because you’ll feel prepared and ready to offer a concise, enthusiastic presentation sure to garner the right kind of attention.

There’s an impressive list of free lessons at the Pitch University website, along with blogs, forums and a plethora of resources aimed at helping writers rise to the top of the pitching game. Don’t take my word for it. Go to http://www.pitch-university.com/ and see for yourself. You’ll be glad you did.

Batter up. Now . . . PITCH!

Deb Sanders aka Alexis Thomas