Many writers and artists struggle with how to present their project in a way that shows “market potential” while also staying true to their vision.
In a recent workshop for Kids Comics Studio, illustrator and graphic novelist Maple Lam shared her clear, no-nonsense approach to creating an effective pitch. This highlight video shows some key takeaways from Maple’s talk, where she showed her actual graphic novel pitch packet.
Below are Maple’s practical steps for anyone looking to get their graphic novel in front of agents, editors, or publishers in an effective way.
1. Start with a Clear, Strong Hook
According to Maple, two critical parts of your pitch are:
- The cover page
- The synopsis
They are the first things that will grab attention, explain your project as quickly as possible, and make readers want to learn more.
For the cover page, she says, “I want someone to look at the cover page and go, ‘Oh, this immediately gives a sense of what this story is [about].” In other words, you want the cover page to be irresistible – to make the editor want to dive into the pitch.
The very next page should be a summary page that explains what your project is as simply and concisely as possible with a logline or short synopsis.
“What is a synopsis? It’s basically a summary of the book for agents and editors to understand your story,” Maple explains. “You need to be really convincing in order to sell your product. I know it sounds harsh to say that your book is a ‘product,’ but there’s a business part to publishing.”
A strong, specific logline or short synopsis is far more effective than a broad, vague description.
(By the way, writing a logline can sometimes be the hardest part of putting together a pitch. If you need help with that, check out our article, How to Write a Logline for Your Graphic Novel (with Templates!).)
2. Know Your Audience
Maple emphasizes the importance of knowing who your pitch is for.
When you’re pitching to an editor or publisher, think about their perspective, Maple advises. “They’re thinking about the market. How well can this book sell? If I present it in my acquiring meeting, what are the odds of the marketing and publicity teams being excited about the project?”
Tailoring your pitch to show how your graphic novel fits into the overall market can help decision-makers see its potential.
This is why agents and editors stress “comp titles” so much. Identifying strong comp titles shows that you understand the specific ways your book fits into the market, and which types of readers will be drawn to it.
3. Showcase Your Art
For graphic novelists, balancing the art and the story in a pitch can be tricky. Maple is clear that your visuals can play a key role in selling your book. Maple’s pitch included:
- 10 spreads of sample final art
- 10 spreads of sample penciled art
Maple admitted that she opted to include a little more art in her pitch than perhaps necessary, because this was her debut graphic novel. Editors knew her as a picture book artist, and she wanted to prove her storytelling skills in sequential art.
“I feel like I might have given a lot, but again, this was my first major proposal for a kids graphic novel that I was sending out to publishers. I wasn’t entirely sure how many I’m supposed to give. So, I played it on the safe side.”
Learn from Maple!
I first saw Maple’s pitch when I was working as an agent with New Leaf Literary & Media, before her agent had sold it. As soon as I saw it, I knew Maple would have no trouble finding a publisher. The pitch included adorable art; a fun, action-packed story; and a concise, persuasive overview of how it fit into the market.
I’m so happy that Maple agreed to share her pitch so that you can learn from it.
If you’re interested in hearing more from Maple herself, sign up for her awesome Substack newsletter. And buy a copy of her fabulous book, The Monkey King and the World of Myth.
If you’d like to watch Maple’s full workshop, check out Kids Comics Studio. It’s our membership program for creators who are serious about leveling up. If you’re looking for accountability, live feedback on your work, connections with fellow writers and artists – plus in-depth workshops on all aspects of comics craft – it’s perfect for you.
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