(last updated May 27 2017)
If you're a writer querying a completed manuscript, the waiting time can be torture. Contests make the process a lot more exciting. Polish your pitch and join in the fun!
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| Polish your pitch - this means war! |
See also: Previous #Pitmad Winning Pitches
March 2016 || Jan 2013 || March 2013 || Sept 2014
Pitch Myths || Pitch Recipes || Pitch Generator
March 2016 || Jan 2013 || March 2013 || Sept 2014
Pitch Myths || Pitch Recipes || Pitch Generator
2017 Pitch Contest Calendar
Contest Calendar below! Enter these Twitter Pitch Parties or Blog-based contests for a chance to get your MS or query considered &/or critiqued by an agent!
More contest roundups at: Sub It Club // Agent Query Connect // Brenda Drake Contest Schedule // Writing Events (more than just Pitch Contests!) // John Berkowitz' Calendar
A WARNING TO PARTICIPANTS: PLEASE READ.
TW: Suicide While all these contests are legitimate ways to get your work seen by an agent or editor... Some of these contests have in the past discriminated against outspoken marginalized voices. In one instance, a marginalized writer took her life after being bullied because she spoke out about racism. (Thread 1 : Thread 2) I wish I didn't have to include this disclaimer at the top of this post, but here we are. There are several contests on this list that have, in the past, discriminated against mentor(s) & co-host(s) who speak out on social media about issues of racism, xenophobia, and/or homophobia because they do not agree with their tactics and the tone of their arguments. This is tone policing. This is not okay. As a result, until the victims of this discrimination feel that these contests are once again inclusive and encouraging of marginalized voices that speak out about injustice, these contests will be listed on this page with a warning footnote in RED. For more information on the incidents please see the links below the Contest Calendar If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me on Twitter ( @CarissaATaylor ) |
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Awesome Alternatives
In contrast, there are a few contests out there that actively seek outspoken marginalized voices, and champion those who speak out loudly against injustice. Check out DVPit, PitchSlam, WriteInTheMargins, WriteInclusively, SomeOfOurVoices, Pitch América, and WCNV! (these are also included in the calendar below when/if I have dates for them ).
Furthermore, some other mainstream contests have spoken out against the bullying and have declared a Zero-Tolerance for discrimination, harassment, and bullying. See this post by Brenda Drake, host of PitchWars. |
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Upcoming 2017 Pitch Contests
TBA -- Pitch Slam -- (#PitchSlam) -- hosted by L.L. McKinney
June 7 -- #pg70pit Contest -- hosted by Lara Willard
June 8 -- #pitmad Twitter Pitch Contest -- hosted by Brenda Drake & Heather Cashman
June 22 -- #SFFPit Twitter Pitch Contest -- hosted by Dan Koboldt
June 22 -- #PBPitch Twitter Contest -- hosted by PBPitch
June 23 -- Red Light / Green Light -- hosted by Adventures in YA Publishing
June 28 -- #FaithPitch -- a contest for faith-based manuscripts, hosted by Little Lamb Books
July 27 -- #IWSGPit Twitter Pitch Contest -- hosted by the Insecure Writer's Support Group
August 2-6 -- Pitch Wars -- hosted by Brenda Drake
Sept 7 -- #pitmad Twitter Pitch Contest -- hosted by Brenda Drake & Heather Cashman
August 31 -- Pitch América -- hosted by Pitch América
More Information Regarding the Discrimination Incidents:
TW: Suicide
I encourage you, if you aren't familiar with the situation already, to read the information provided by the victims and hosts, and discuss the matter with people you trust and respect regarding issues of diversity, tone policing, and discrimination against marginalized voices.
Regarding the Query Kombat, NoQS, and SunVsSnow incident:
The victim's post regarding the incident.
The host's response.
*Note: the host has also mentioned that following the incident, they are actively seeking more diverse subs, as there has been a decline in diverse submissions to these contests after this incident.
Regarding the FicFest Incident & Pitch to Publication (#p2p16) editor incident:
The victim's threads: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Update: In February of 2017, Julie took her own life after being targeted and harassed by some of the writers and editors involved in these incidents. (Thread 1 : Thread 2) RIP Julie. We miss your beautiful presence and voice so much.
*Note: the host of FicFest has deleted all videos and other social media related to the incident, so that is all I have in terms of host response. In regards to Pitch To Publication, it was only one of the editors that was involved in the incident. Choose your editor/mentor wisely.
Note: All the contests above, even those with a warning, are legitimate and can be great opportunities for writers to get their work seen by an agent. Please use your own discretion as to whether or not a particular contest is the right fit for your manuscript. If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me on Twitter ( @CarissaATaylor ) |
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Monthly / Semi-Monthly Events
- Dear Lucky Agent -- Hosted by Chuck Sambuchino of Writer's Digest
- Pages for Agents -- hosted by Savvy Authors
- Pass Or Pages -- Operation Awesome
- #PitchCB A Twitter pitch party hosted every fourth Friday by Curtis Brown UK
- Agent Wish List -- Miss Snark's First Victim
- Secret Agent Contests (check for updates here)-- Miss Snark's First Victim
Contests by Season
(Northern Hemisphere Seasons)
Note: The contests listed below usually happen annually,
but may or may not happen this year.
Visit the hosts' websites for updates.
WINTER (Dec-Feb):
Agent Match -- (#AgentMatch) -- hosted by Samantha Fountain
Cupid's Blind Speed Dating -- ( may now be defunct)
FaithPitch Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Aboundtiful
FaithPitch Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Aboundtiful
Pit2Pub -- (#pit2pub) -- hosted by Kristin Van Risseghem
Pitch Madness Contest -- (#pitchmadness) hosted by Brenda Drake
Pitch Madness Contest -- (#pitchmadness) hosted by Brenda Drake
Red Light / Green Light -- hosted by Adventures in YA Publishing
(Link only works in Google Chrome, sorry! The site doesn't have contest labels or a search function!)
Secret Agent Contests -- hosted by Miss Snark's First Victim
(Link only works in Google Chrome, sorry! The site doesn't have contest labels or a search function!)
Secret Agent Contests -- hosted by Miss Snark's First Victim
Sun vs Snow Contest -- (#SunVsSnow)
WARNING: In the past SunVsSnow has discriminated against those who are vocal about social/racial injustice.
#WritePit -- hosted by Jessica Schmeidler
Write In the Margins -- hosted by Justina Ireland
WARNING: In the past SunVsSnow has discriminated against those who are vocal about social/racial injustice.
#WritePit -- hosted by Jessica Schmeidler
Write In the Margins -- hosted by Justina Ireland
SPRING (Mar-May):
Adult Pitch Workshop -- (#adpit) -- hosted by Heidi Norrod
DVPit -- hosted by Agent Beth Phelan
FicFest
WARNING: In the past FicFest has discriminated against those who are vocal about social/racial injustice.
KidPit -- (#kidpit) -- hosted by Heidi Norrod
Like a Virgin -- hosted by Kristina Perez & Rhiann Wynn-Nolet
Luck O' The Irish -- hosted by WriteOnCon (may now be defunct)
Luck O' The Irish -- hosted by WriteOnCon (may now be defunct)
Pitchapalooza Contest -- hosted by the Book Doctors
Query Kombat (#QueryKombat)
WARNING: In the past QueryKombat has discriminated against those who are vocal about social/racial injustice.
WARNING: In the past QueryKombat has discriminated against those who are vocal about social/racial injustice.
Secret Agent Contests -- hosted by Miss Snark's First Victim
The Writer's Voice (#TheWVoice) -- cohosted by Brenda Drake, Elizabeth Briggs, Monica BW, & Krista Van Dolzer
SUMMER (June-Aug):
Green Light WIP -- hosted by Adventures in YA Publishing
#IWSGPit -- hosted by the Insecure Writer's Support Group
#IWSGPit -- hosted by the Insecure Writer's Support Group
Page 70 Pitch -- (#pg70pit) -- hosted by Lara Willard
Pitch América -- hosted by Pitch América (Laura Pohl)
Pitch América -- hosted by Pitch América (Laura Pohl)
Pitch to Publication -- (#pitchtopublication) -- hosted by Samantha Fountain
WARNING: In the past, certain editors in pitch2pub have been known to make frequent
racist, misogynist, and/or homophobic remarks on social media.
Please choose your mentor with care.
WARNING: In the past, certain editors in pitch2pub have been known to make frequent
racist, misogynist, and/or homophobic remarks on social media.
Please choose your mentor with care.
Secret Agent Contests -- hosted by Miss Snark's First Victim
WCNV - Writing from Color and Native Voices -- hosted by WCNV
Writer Pitch -- (#WritePit) -- hosted by Jessica Schmeidler
Writer Pitch -- (#WritePit) -- hosted by Jessica Schmeidler
FALL (Sept - Nov):
DVPit -- hosted by Agent Beth Phelan
First Lines Contest -- hosted by Adventures in YA Publishing
KidPit (#KidPit) -- hosted by Heidi Norrod
Nightmare on Query Street (#NoQS)
WARNING: In the past NoQS has discriminated against those who are vocal about social/racial injustice.
WARNING: In the past NoQS has discriminated against those who are vocal about social/racial injustice.
PitMad Twitter Party (#pitmad) -- hosted by Brenda Drake
On the Block (formerly known as the Baker's Dozen) -- hosted by Miss Snark's First Victim
Dear Lucky Agent Contest -- hosted by Writer's Digest
Twitter Hashtags:
Twitter hashtags to keep an eye on for upcoming pitch contest news!
#PitMad // #PitchMadness // #PitchWars // #CLCBSD // #WriteOnCon // #PitchFest //#AdPit (Adult & NA books) // #PitchSqueak (picture books) // #SFFPit // #JustPitchIt (faith-based books) // #PitchSlam // #NestPitch // #NoQS // #TheWVoice // #xmasinjuly //#MysteryAgent // #PitchMAS // #QueryKombat // #NewAgent // #SecretShop // #SunVsSnow // #TheWritersTank // #NLpitchperfect // #RTSlap // #AgentMatch // #PitchCB // #pit2pub // #PitchToPub // #pg70pit // #pitchtopublication
Want a link to a search for all the twitter hastags in one go? Done!
All your contest news in one feed:
Awesome Contest Hosts to Follow:
@Monica_BW // @KristaVanDolzer // @LizWrites // @SGarberGirl
@LaraTheLark // @Michelle4Laughs // @HRNorrod // @AuthoressAnon
@RavenousRushing // @TheWriteShadow // @FountainWriter
@LaraTheLark // @Michelle4Laughs // @HRNorrod // @AuthoressAnon
@RavenousRushing // @TheWriteShadow // @FountainWriter
Previously in 2016
Jan 1 -- Write In the Margins Query Contest -- hosted by Justina Ireland
Jan 11 -- Pass or Pages -- hosted by Operation Awesome
Jan 22 -- #PitchCB Twitter Contest -- hosted by Conville & Walsh + Curtis Brown UK
Until Feb 9 -- Dear Lucky Agent: Women's Fiction Edition -- hosted by Chuck Sambuchino of Writer's Digest
Feb 1 - 29 -- Pitchapalooza -- hosted by The Book Doctors
Feb 1 -- Sun vs. Snow -- hosted by Amy Trueblood & Michelle Hauck
Feb 4 -- Sub It Club Pitch Day with Agent Shira Hoffman -- hosted by Sub It Club
Feb 4 -- Red Light / Green Light -- hosted by Adventures in YA Publishing
(Link only works in Google Chrome, sorry! The site doesn't have labels or a search function!)
Feb 11 -- #PBPitch -- hosted by PBPitch
Feb 11 -- #PitMatch -- hosted by Brenda Drake and #MSWL
Until Feb 9 -- Dear Lucky Agent: Women's Fiction Edition -- hosted by Chuck Sambuchino of Writer's Digest
Feb 1 - 29 -- Pitchapalooza -- hosted by The Book Doctors
Feb 1 -- Sun vs. Snow -- hosted by Amy Trueblood & Michelle Hauck
Feb 3 -- Pit2Pub -- (#pit2pub) -- hosted by Kristin Van Risseghem
Feb 4 -- Sub It Club Pitch Day with Agent Shira Hoffman -- hosted by Sub It Club
Feb 4 -- Red Light / Green Light -- hosted by Adventures in YA Publishing
(Link only works in Google Chrome, sorry! The site doesn't have labels or a search function!)
Feb 11 -- #PBPitch -- hosted by PBPitch
Feb 11 -- #PitMatch -- hosted by Brenda Drake and #MSWL
Feb 15 -- Son of a Pitch -- hosted by Ayden Morgen
Mar 7 -- Son of a Pitch (#SonOfAPitch) Twitter Party -- hosted by Ayden Morgen
Feb 26 -- #PitchCB Twitter Contest -- hosted by Conville & Walsh + Curtis Brown UK
Mar TBA -- Secret Agent Contests -- hosted by Miss Snark's First Victim
Mar TBA -- Secret Agent Contests -- hosted by Miss Snark's First Victim
Mar 7 -- Son of a Pitch (#SonOfAPitch) Twitter Party -- hosted by Ayden Morgen
Mar 17 -- #PitMad Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Brenda Drake
Mar 28 -- March Secret Agent -- hosted by Miss Snark's First Victim
Apr 1 -- #AdPit and #KidPit -- hosted by Heidi Norrod
Apr 7 -- Red Light / Green Light -- hosted by Adventures in YA Publishing
Apr 24 -- #FicFest -- hosted by Kara Leigh Miller & Tiffany Hoffman
May 12 -- #PitDark -- hosted by Jason Huebinger
May 16-22 -- Pages for Agents -- hosted by Savvy Authors
June 9 -- #PitMad Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Brenda Drake
Mar 28 -- March Secret Agent -- hosted by Miss Snark's First Victim
Apr 1 -- #AdPit and #KidPit -- hosted by Heidi Norrod
Apr 7 -- Red Light / Green Light -- hosted by Adventures in YA Publishing
Apr 19 -- #DVPit : Twitter Pitch Party for Marginalized Voices/Diverse Books -- hosted by Beth Phelan
Apr 24 -- #FicFest -- hosted by Kara Leigh Miller & Tiffany Hoffman
May 12 -- #PitDark -- hosted by Jason Huebinger
May 16-22 -- Pages for Agents -- hosted by Savvy Authors
June 9 -- #PitMad Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Brenda Drake
-- hosted by Writing from Color and Native Voices (Elle McKinney)
June 15 -- #FaithPitch Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Aboundtiful
June 16 -- #PBPitch Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Mandy Yates
June 23 -- #SFFPit Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Dan Koboldt
June 23 -- Red Light / Green Light -- hosted by Adventures in YA Publishing
July 1 -- Page 70 Pitch Contest ( #70pit16 ) -- hosted by Lara Willard
July 10 -- #PBParty -- hosted by Michelle4Laughs & Sharon Chriscoe
June 15 -- #FaithPitch Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Aboundtiful
June 16 -- #PBPitch Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Mandy Yates
June 23 -- #SFFPit Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Dan Koboldt
June 23 -- Red Light / Green Light -- hosted by Adventures in YA Publishing
July 1 -- Page 70 Pitch Contest ( #70pit16 ) -- hosted by Lara Willard
July 10 -- #PBParty -- hosted by Michelle4Laughs & Sharon Chriscoe
July 13 -- #pit2pub Twitter Party -- hosted by Kristin D. Van Risseghem
Aug 8 -- August Secret Agent -- hosted by Miss Snark's First Victim
Aug 29 -- Hot Summer's Cool Pitchfest -- hosted by Savvy Authors
Sept 7 --PitchSlam: Star Wars -- TheWrite Side --hosted by L.L. McKinney and Kimberly VanderHorst
Sept 8 -- On the Block -- hosted by Miss Snark's First Victim
Sept 8 -- #PitMad Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Brenda Drake
Aug 29 -- Hot Summer's Cool Pitchfest -- hosted by Savvy Authors
Sept 7 --PitchSlam: Star Wars -- TheWrite Side --hosted by L.L. McKinney and Kimberly VanderHorst
Sept 8 -- On the Block -- hosted by Miss Snark's First Victim
Sept 8 -- #PitMad Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Brenda Drake
Children & YA Fiction/NF Event -- hosted by Beth Phelan
Oct 6 -- #DVPit : Twitter Pitch Party for Marginalized Voices:
Oct 14 -- Nightmare on Query Street -- Michelle4Laughs & Writer's Outworld
Oct 20 -- #PitDark -- hosted by Jason Huebinger
Oct 20 -- Red Light / Green Light
Oct 27 -- #PBPitch -- hosted by PBPitch
Nov 9 -- #KidPit -- hosted by Heidi Norrod
Nov 16 -- #AdPit -- hosted by Heidi Norrod
Dec 1 -- #PitMad Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Brenda Drake
Dec TBA -- #SFFPit -- hosted by Dan Koboldt
Dec 11-12 -- PitchMAS -- hosted by Jessa and Tamara
Dec 16 -- PitchMAS Twitter Party -- hosted by Jessa and Tamara
Previously in 2017
Jan 18 -- #pit2pub Twitter Party -- hosted by Kristin D. Van Risseghem
Feb 14 -- Pitchapalooza Contest -- hosted by the Book Doctors
Oct 6 -- #DVPit : Twitter Pitch Party for Marginalized Voices:
Oct 14 -- Nightmare on Query Street -- Michelle4Laughs & Writer's Outworld
Oct 20 -- #PitDark -- hosted by Jason Huebinger
Oct 20 -- Red Light / Green Light
Oct 27 -- #PBPitch -- hosted by PBPitch
Nov 9 -- #KidPit -- hosted by Heidi Norrod
Nov 16 -- #AdPit -- hosted by Heidi Norrod
Dec 1 -- #PitMad Twitter Pitch Party -- hosted by Brenda Drake
Dec TBA -- #SFFPit -- hosted by Dan Koboldt
Dec 11-12 -- PitchMAS -- hosted by Jessa and Tamara
Dec 16 -- PitchMAS Twitter Party -- hosted by Jessa and Tamara
Previously in 2017
Jan 18 -- #pit2pub Twitter Party -- hosted by Kristin D. Van Risseghem
Feb 13-17 -- #SonOfAPitch -- hosted by Katie Hamstead
Feb 14 -- Pitchapalooza Contest -- hosted by the Book Doctors
Feb 23 -- #PBPitch Twitter Party -- hosted by PBPitch
Mar 9 -- Red Light / Green Light -- hosted by Adventures in YA Publishing
Mar 23 -- #pitmad Twitter Pitch Contest -- hosted by Brenda Drake
April 5 -- #kidpit -- hosted by Heidi Norrod
April 7 -- Pitch To Publication -- hosted by Samantha Fountain
April 25 -- #DVPit Twitter Party: Children's & Teen -- hosted by Lit Agent Beth Phelan
April 26 -- #DVPit Twitter Party: Adult -- hosted by Lit Agent Beth Phelan
May 17-19 -- Query Kombat
WARNING: In the past QueryKombat has discriminated against those who are vocal about social/racial injustice.
May 18 -- #PitDark -- hosted by Jason Huebinger
Mar 9 -- Red Light / Green Light -- hosted by Adventures in YA Publishing
Mar 23 -- #pitmad Twitter Pitch Contest -- hosted by Brenda Drake
April 3 -- April Secret Agent -- hosted by Miss Snark's First Victim
April 5 -- #kidpit -- hosted by Heidi Norrod
April 7 -- Pitch To Publication -- hosted by Samantha Fountain
*A contest for teen writers in grades 10-12!
April 25 -- #DVPit Twitter Party: Children's & Teen -- hosted by Lit Agent Beth Phelan
April 26 -- #DVPit Twitter Party: Adult -- hosted by Lit Agent Beth Phelan
May 17-19 -- Query Kombat
WARNING: In the past QueryKombat has discriminated against those who are vocal about social/racial injustice.
May 18 -- #PitDark -- hosted by Jason Huebinger
A lot of these folks have recurring contests throughout the year, so keep your eyes peeled for more to come!
Also check out these contest round-ups:
Sub It Club // KidLit 411 // Art of Infiltration // Meredith's Musings // I Write for Apples // Agent Query Connect // Brenda Drake Contest Schedule // Nestpitch Contest Roundup
And just for fun: Logline Generator
What about you? Do you have a favorite query, pitch, or twitter pitch contest? Know of other query or manuscript critique contests I should add to the list?
This is so useful. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is great, can't believe there isn't any one else posting this list. Thanks for compiling such a thorough list
ReplyDelete