Versions of it go by a lot of different names depending on the length & audience.

• Pitch
• Hook
• Synopsis
• Blurb
• Logline

What it all boils down to is a succint, catchy description that makes the agent, publisher or potential reader want to know more. Honestly, crafting this tiny beast has proven itself more daunting than the actual writing of the novel. My current challenge: condense 111,000 words into 300 or less.

Here is what I have learned so far. It can’t be merely plot but it has to provide an overview. The description can’t be too specific or too vague. It has to, of course, make the reader salivate for more. And, most importantly, it is hard as hell to get it right.

I am currently on approximate draft number 2,435,872. Just when I think I might have it licked, the awesome folks at Amazon’s Pitch Thread rip it to bits and expose its [many] flaws. I am grateful for the feedback, suggestions & tweaks but the whole process makes me wonder– is my book-writing as bad as my pitch-writing? If so, it looks like self-publishing may be my only option. Ahhh, but the optimistic dreamer in me won’t even entertain the thought!