April 7 – Pitch-O-Rama Prep Workshop & AMA

By popular demand, WNBA-SF will hold our first Pre Pitch-O-Rama Coaching AMA!

We are VERY excited to hold our second virtual Pitch-O-Rama which is looking to be a fabulous event with new agents and editors including those from the New York publishing world. And, since it is virtual, we are having many new writers joining us, hailing from all over the country and even a couple of international guests. We have gotten many questions and suggestions which resulted in this debut Pre Pitch session.

WNBA-SF stalwarts who have run Pitch-O-Rama for many years will tell you what to expect, tips and strategies for inspired pitching, and how to get the most from this mini writers conference. Hosted by Madame President, Elise Marie Collins, this event will feature experts who can answer any question you have, so make your list now!

Collins offers techniques on how to overcome nerves and make your best impression.  Coach extraordinaire Amanda McTigue will offer insight into effective pitches and the kind of good advice only a bestselling author can provide. 

Past President of WNBA-SF, librarian, author and master storyteller Kate Farrell ran Pitch-O-Rama for years, and can tell you secrets to success from her deep experience. Publisher Brenda Knight will share what editors and agents are looking for, and how to position your project so it will garner real interest from acquiring editors and literary agents. Ellen McBarnette, an attendee from last year’s virtual Pitch-O-Rama will tell you “what she wishes she knew last year and what you should know for this year.”

Every year, writers find agents, get publishing deals and get excellent feedback that advances their writing careers. This year, it can be you!

Elise Marie Collins has consulted with small businesses, authors, and alumni associations on social media marketing and believes that a social media plan should be intuitive, fun, and seamless. Helping students and clients form healthy lifestyle patterns is Elise Collins’ passion and life purpose. She has taught yoga for the past 20 years and is the author of several books on healthy living, including her latest, Super Ager: You Can Look Younger, Have More Energy, a Better Memory, and Live a Long and Healthy Life. Elise enjoys sharing yoga wisdom and current scientific research.

Amanda McTigue enrolled in the fourth class of women at Yale University in 1973, and she intended to become a professional singer and actress. But the story of her life offered a surprise ending. Although McTigue has served as a stage director throughout her career, her true calling turned out to be writing and storytelling, for both the stage and the page. Her first novel, Going to Solace, has become a book club favorite.

Storyteller, author, librarian Kate Farrell is the author of Story Power: Secrets to Creating, Crafting, and Telling Memorable Stories. Kate founded the Word Weaving Storytelling Project and published numerous educational materials on storytelling. She has contributed to and edited award-winning anthologies of personal narrative, Times They Were A-Changing: Women Remember the 60s & 70s, and Cry of the Nightbird: Writers Against Domestic Violence.