NOVEMBER EVENTS
The Art of the Book Pitch
Thursday, November 20 at 12 – 1pm PDT
A FREE Virtual Event: REGISTER HERE
Unable to attend? No worries. Register anyway and receive the replay!
Ready to take your book idea to the next level? Join publisher Brenda Knight (Books that Save Lives) and Debra Eckerling, The Book Proposal Expert, for an engaging Lunch & Learn that demystifies the art — and the heart — of a winning book pitch.
In this practical and inspiring session, Brenda and Deb will walk you through what it takes to grab the attention of agents and publishers, from crafting the perfect hook to presenting yourself as the ideal author for your project. You’ll learn:
- What is and is Not a Pitch
- How to Craft an Effective Hook
- Query Letter 101
- The Basics of the Book Proposal
- The Art of Pitching Yourself and Your Platform
This is one of the best possible ways to prepare for the San Francisco Writers Conference and our own Pitch-O-Rama 2026!
This interactive event also introduces Pitch Clinic, a new offering, which in part benefits WNBA-SF, where authors can book 30-minute sessions with Brenda and Deb for real-time, personalized feedback on their pitches.
Whether you’re just developing your book concept or getting ready to query, The Art of the Pitch will get you going in the right direction.
About the Experts
Brenda Knight is a distinguished publishing professional with more than 25 years of experience, currently serving as Publisher at Books That Save Lives and President of the Women’s National Book Association, San Francisco Chapter. Starting at HarperCollins, she worked with luminaries like Paulo Coelho, Deepak Chopra, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, honing her editorial expertise. In 2015, she was named IndieFab’s Publisher of the Year for her innovative leadership.
Knight authored Random Acts of Kindness, Badass Affirmations (selling over 500,000 copies), and Women of the Beat Generation, which won an American Book Award. As founder of Books That Save Lives, she champions inspirational nonfiction. She teaches at the San Francisco Writers Conference and Writing for Change, mentoring emerging authors. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Brenda is dedicated to advancing literacy and equity in publishing. She blogs about simple acts of kindness at LowerHaightHoller.blogspot.com. Visit her work at BooksThatSaveLives.net and connect with Brenda on LinkedIn.
Debra Eckerling is a goal strategist, author, and book proposal expert who helps writers, entrepreneurs, and consultants transform their ideas into sellable books. The founder of The DEB Method for goal-setting simplified, Debra specializes in guiding clients from concept to proposal with clarity, confidence, and direction. With more than two decades of experience leading workshops, coaching thought leaders, and consulting with organizations, Debra has a knack for helping busy professionals develop, organize, and articulate their ideas in a way that resonates.
Debra is the author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals and 52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting, and hosts The Book Proposal Podcast and Book Proposals Simplified on Substack. She is also a regular contributor to and speaker for WritersDigest.com. Learn more at TheBookProposalExpert.com and connect with Debra on LinkedIn.
Learn More
For questions or to reserve your Pitch Clinic spot, email deb@thebookproposalexpert.com!
To register, please visit the event page and fill out the form at the bottom of the page!
Remember to follow WNBA-SF on Instagram @wnba_sanfrancisco to stay connected and current on our events, interviews, and other activities!
DECEMBER EVENTS
Comfort Food, Self-Care & Writing
Thursday, December 4 at 12 – 1pm PDT
A FREE Virtual Event: REGISTER HERE
Unable to attend? No worries. Register anyway and receive the replay!
Feed your body and your creativity! Join WNBA–San Francisco for a deliciously inspiring Lunch n Learn with Chef Rossi, author of The Raging Skillet and The Punk Rock Queen of the Jews, and Jessie-Sierra Ross, author of Seasons Around the Table and creator of Straight to the Hips, Baby.
In this lively conversation — moderated by networking ambassador Debra Eckerling, The Book Proposal Expert — Chef Rossi and Jessie-Sierra will share how food, storytelling, and self-care intertwine. Discover how cooking and writing both nourish the soul, how comfort food can fuel creativity, and how taking time for yourself can make your stories even richer.
Bring your lunch, your appetite for inspiration, and your favorite notebook!
Come for the conversation, stay for the community, and leave feeling full in every sense of the word.
About the Speakers
Chef Rossi is the director, owner, and executive chef of “The Raging Skillet,” a cutting-edge catering company known for breaking any and all rules. She penned the memoirs, The Raging Skillet and The Punk Rock Queen of the Jews, and has also written two full-length plays, a number of one-act comedies, and a one-woman stage adaptation of The Punk Rock Queen of the Jews. She hosts the Raging and Eating podcast. TheRagingSkillet.com.
Jessie-Sierra Ross is a food stylist, photographer, and creator of the award-winning blog Straight to the Hips, Baby. Her debut cookbook, Seasons Around the Table, celebrates the beauty of fresh, seasonal cooking and the joy of gathering. Jessie-Sierra’s work has appeared in Better Homes & Gardens, The FeedFeed, and Taste of Home. She brings her warmth, creativity, and culinary passion to every conversation.
Moderator: Debra Eckerling is a goal strategist, author, podcaster, and book proposal expert who helps writers, entrepreneurs, and consultants transform their ideas into sellable book proposals. Debra is the author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals and 52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting, and hosts Taste Buds with Deb, GoalChat, and the Book Proposal Podcast. Learn more at TasteBudswithDeb.com and TheBookProposalExpert.com,To register, please visit the event page and fill out the form at the bottom of the page!
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. PT
23 Years of Pitch-O-Rama Success!
Are you developing a concept for a new book? Do you have a manuscript in progress? Have you always wanted to publish that book you’ve been working on for years? If this sounds like you, we would love to invite you to Pitch-O-Rama 2026! Everyone is welcome to participate!
We are happy to announce we will be hosting the next Pitch-O-Rama as a virtual event on April 25th, 2026, where writers will be given the opportunity to pitch their works to agents and editors for publication.
New to Pitch-O-Rama? Pitch-O-Rama is an annual event where we bring in a set of publishing professionals to share their knowledge of the publishing industry. During the event, you will be able to practice your pitch with coaches and fellow writers, and then share that pitch with an expert who will provide advice on taking your writing project to the next level. A chance like this is an invaluable learning experience that could put you on the path to publication. We hope to see you there!
Testimonials from Past Participants
“Pitch-O-Rama was not only helpful, but fun, with lots of laughter, networking, and relevant information. As a newbie, I felt at home and am pitching the WNBA to my friends and colleagues. Go women writers! WNBA, you rock!” – Susan Allison
“I participated in the WNBA-SF Pitch-o-Rama in 2021. At the time, I’d almost completed my memoir, From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction. I worked hard on my pitch and three of the agents asked me to submit to them. Several months later, with the manuscript polished and ready to go, I did so. Even though other agents were interested, I signed with Anne Marie O’Farrell, whom I had met via the WNBA event. Working with both Anne Marie and Caroline Fanelli at her agency, I added an appendix to the manuscript, and they started submitting. Less than three months later, I signed with HCI (Health Communications Inc.), which specializes in recovery and self-help books.” – Mary Beth O’Connor
“I will always be incredibly grateful to WNBA for the Pitch-O-Rama. Several years ago, I was struggling to get an agent. I had a toddler at home, and I was sure I had missed the boat. Here in the Bay Area, there are many talented writers, but very little access to literary agents. There were big pitch conferences in New York and other parts of the US. But at the time, I couldn’t travel because I had such limited time and money as a new mom. I was pining away on my computer, querying agents and drowning in the isolation. I found out about the Pitch-O-Rama, and immediately registered.” – Aya De Leon
Special Pricing
Currently, as part of our Early Bird Special, register for only $85 as a WNBA-SF member and $130 as a non-member before it expires on January 31st, 2026. After that day, registration will be $95 for WNBA-SF members and $145 for non-members so don’t wait to register! If you’d like to take advantage of member pricing, visit our website to learn more about the benefits of WNBA-SF membership and join the chapter’s community!
Before 1/31/2026: $85 for WNBA-SF members, $130 for non-members
After 1/31/2026: $95 for WNBA-SF members, $145 for non-members
To register, please visit the event page and fill out the form at the bottom of the page!
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