Pitching In

Continuing my foray into the unknown world of comic books, or graphic novels (which sound better to me) and I'm gathering up resources that will help me define what a pitch is in this world and gaping at the differences.

All right, maybe its not a totally unknown world I do cohabitate with a illustrator, penciler, inker who has tons of comic books. And I've seen his pages and scripts and his process. But observing something from far away isn't the same as actually taking it on.

Though it may still be considered for the boys, the fastest growing buyers of comic books are women (can't source that, its something Christopher told me) and apparently the women are buying up Manga. Personally,  I don't like Manga or maybe its just because I haven't found Manga that I do like. 

I also read a graphic novel series. I am totally in love with Fables by Bill Willingham.

One of the differences that  I find fascinating is a self-published comic book can go a long way. In the literary world, this is the compelte opposite. It is rare that a self-published novel will garner the attention of an editor, publisher or agent. If you are querying the three, often times they request right in their guidelines, if you have a self-published novel to simply not mention it. 

To the Pitch. 

This is what I've been able to gather thorugh a lot of reading of scripts and advice:

1. Start with a great hook. 

2. Keep it short. 

3. Tell about the character, plot and ending. 

4. Touch on who this will appeal to. 

Hmm, that sounds exactly like how I would go about writing a query letter for a novel. 

(Except of course, while writing the comic I am constantly keeping in mind the artist and I think the writing is secondary to the art...Does means the writing is actually judged by the art...?)

Off to start on the pitch!