How to Pitch Your Story: A 9-Step Guide for Writers

Anyone who has ever attempted to query a novel or pitch a magazine article understands the challenging nature of this process. You’re up against slush piles, busy editors, and agents who receive hundreds of queries a week. And here’s the thing: a great story idea alone might not cut it (though it is essential!). You also need a strong pitch.

In this guide, I’ll share top tips for crafting a pitch that’ll make potential readers eager to pick up your book.

1. What is a story pitch?

A pitch is a short, compelling version of your story designed to spark interest — just enough to make someone say, “Yes, tell me more.”

It can be as brief as a single sentence or stretch to a full page, depending on the context — whether you're, say, in an elevator with a literary agent, sending an email, or chatting with a stranger at a bar.

Let’s pretend you’ve written a sci-fi novel; an elevator pitch for it might be something like:

🪐 In 2240, a rebel engineer uncovers a hidden water source on Mars, challenging the regime that rations oxygen. Exposing the truth could set the colonies free — or cost her everything.

But if you were composing a query letter, this approach would not suffice. Since most stories are pitched to agents via email, that’s what we’ll focus on in this post, sharing a simple template you can follow. However, before you begin crafting your pitch, it's crucial to do your homework.

2. Conduct enough research before pitching

If you want to compel a friend or a stranger to read your story, all you’ll need is a strong pitch. But if you’re seeking representation, you’ll also need to know who you’re pitching.

For this, research your shortlist of literary agents — study their client list and look at the types of authors and stories they typically represent. Agents are far more likely to respond positively if they see that you’ve done your homework. This will help you later on in customizing your pitch, too.

Here are some places to research literary agents:

Query Tracker is great for researching literary agents, checking their current wishlists, and seeing what books they’ve helped bring to publication.
Manuscript Wish List offers an inside look at what agents and editors are actively searching for.
Social media (e.g., X, Threads, etc.) is where agents often post about what they’re looking for and currently reading/acquiring.

A few more things:

📗 Make sure your book is finished. If you’re pitching a novel, especially to agents, they will want to see a partial or full manuscript if your pitch hooks them. Sending a finished, polished manuscript shows you’re serious and saves you from the awkward conversation of, “Uh, can you wait a few months? I’m not done yet.”

📌 Understand your genre and market. If your story is a gritty near-future space opera, does it truly fit in the adult sci-fi market, or is it better off pitched as YA? Being clear about what shelf your book belongs on shows you’re market-savvy.

Let’s now get into the nitty-gritty of crafting a strong pitch!

3. Use a story pitch template

To craft the perfect pitch, you need to combine the right elements within the right structure. We'll start with an example and then break down each key component to help you nail your own pitch.

Story pitch example:

Greeting: Dear [Agent/Editor’s Name],
Hook: In 2240, a rebel engineer uncovers a hidden water reservoir that could free Mars from its authoritarian regime — if she can survive long enough to expose the truth.
Short Summary: In Red Night (90,000 words), Lila Reyes has spent her entire life under a regime that rations oxygen, enforces curfews beneath Mars’ domed cities, and makes dissenters 一 including her brother 一 vanish into the “Red Night.” While repairing a collapsed air filtration system in the colony’s underground tunnels, she stumbles upon classified schematics revealing a vast, hidden water reservoir — proof that Mars isn’t as resource-starved as its leaders claim. But exposing the truth means defying Administrator Kael, the ruthless enforcer who commands the regime’s surveillance drones and execution squads. With air credits running low and nowhere to hide in the dust-choked wastelands beyond the colony walls, Lila must risk everything to ignite a revolution — or disappear like so many before her.
Comparative Titles: Perfect for fans of James S. A. Corey’s The Expanse Series and Pierce Brown’s Red Rising, this is a gripping sci-fi thriller that explores power, survival, and the fight for freedom in a world where every breath is controlled.
Author Bio: A finalist in the 2022 Sci-Fi Nova Awards, I’ve spent ten years covering NASA’s Mars research as a science journalist, lending authenticity to Red Night’s depiction of interplanetary challenges.
Closing: Thank you for taking the time to consider my submission. I’d be thrilled to send the full manuscript or any additional materials you may need.

This template is particularly suited for query letters, but it can also be slightly adjusted and used to pitch literary magazines or indie publishers, for example.

Let’s unpack it further.

4. Write a strong hook

Your hook is the literary equivalent of a first impression 一 you only get one shot at it. In the crowded inbox of a literary agent who receives hundreds of queries weekly, your opening sentence needs to do some heavy lifting.

Consider leading with a “What if?” statement or shining a light on a conflict with life-or-death stakes. For instance:

“What if your worst enemy is the only person who could save your life?”
“When an exiled mage discovers his doppelgänger is framing him for the king’s murder, he must risk using forbidden magic to unmask the impostor — or face execution.”

Your hook should feel like opening a door just enough for someone to want to peek inside. Too vague, and they'll walk past; too detailed, and there's no mystery left.

Remember, you can repurpose your hook for marketing materials later 一 think book cover copy, social media posts, or even the tagline for your author website.

5. Include a solid short summary

After your hook has grabbed the agent's attention, your summary needs to maintain that interest while providing just enough detail to showcase your storytelling ability. Think of this as the "movie trailer" of your pitch 一 exciting glimpses that reveal the heart of your story without giving away every plot twist.

A compelling summary includes these key elements:

🦸‍♂️ Protagonist: Introduce your main character in a way that makes us care about them. What makes them unique? What drives them? For example: "Lila Reyes, a brilliant engineer with a rebellious streak who's lost her family to the regime's purges..."
🌏 The world: Provide just enough context about your setting to ground the story. For science fiction or fantasy, hint at what makes your world distinctive: "In the domed cities of Mars, where oxygen is currency and dissent means death..."
⚡ Inciting incident: What disrupts your protagonist's status quo and launches the story? "While repairing a collapsed air filtration system, Lila stumbles upon classified schematics revealing..."
✊ Central conflict and stakes: What's at stake, and what stands in your protagonist's way? "Lila must choose: stay silent and watch people remain enslaved, or risk everything to overthrow Kael and his regime."

Keep this section tight 一 between 150-200 words is usually sufficient. Focus on your main plot arc rather than subplots or secondary characters, no matter how much you love them. The goal is to make the agent think, "I need to know how this story unfolds."

6. Mention comparable titles

Comparative titles (or "comps") serve as crucial shorthand in your pitch. They tell agents and editors, "If readers enjoyed these books, they'll likely enjoy mine too." More importantly, they demonstrate your awareness of the current market and where your book fits within it.

Here are a few pointers for selecting comps:

📅 Recency matters: Prioritize books published within the last two to three years. This shows you're familiar with the current market rather than just naming classics everyone knows.
📍Balance popularity with specificity: Ideally, choose one widely recognized title and one that's more niche but spot-on in terms of tone or theme. "For readers who enjoyed the political intrigue of Red Rising with the intimate character development of A Memory Called Empire."
🎬 Cross-media comps can work: In certain cases, you can reference films, TV shows, or even podcasts if they truly capture your book's essence. "Dune meets Black Mirror" immediately conveys a certain type of sci-fi storytelling.
😌 Avoid overreaching: While it's tempting to compare your work to bestselling titans, claiming your debut is "the next Harry Potter" or "just like Game of Thrones" can come across as naïve. Instead, focus on thematic or stylistic similarities to successful works.

7. Pitch your credentials

While your manuscript is the star of your pitch, your bio adds credibility and context. This section answers the unspoken question: "Why are you the right person to tell this story?"

Tailor your credentials to highlight what's most relevant:

✍️ Writing background: Include any publishing credits, even in smaller venues. "My short fiction has appeared in Apex Magazine, Clarkesworld, and the anthology New Voices in Science Fiction."
🎓 Education: Mention degrees or certifications related to writing or your book's subject matter. "I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University" or "As a certified marine biologist, I've brought scientific accuracy to this undersea adventure."
💼 Professional experience: Highlight career elements that lend authenticity to your story. "A finalist in the 2022 Sci-Fi Nova Awards, I've spent ten years covering NASA's Mars research as a science journalist, lending authenticity to Red Horizon's depiction of interplanetary challenges."
🤳 Platform: For non-fiction especially, mention your audience reach. "My TikTok series on historical fashion reaches over 500,000 viewers weekly, creating a built-in audience for this costume history."

Don't have traditional credentials? Focus on your passion and commitment:

"While this is my first novel, I've devoted the past five years to studying craft through workshops with authors like [Established Author] and [Recognized Teacher], and I'm an active member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association."

Keep this section brief 一 two to three sentences maximum. Your story should remain the focus of your pitch.

8. Personalize your pitch

In a sea of queries, personalization signals to agents that you've done your research and aren't just sending mass emails. This small touch can significantly improve your chances of a positive response.

This is where your research from Step 1 comes in handy. You can include the personalization at the beginning or towards the end of your query, depending on where it fits best.

Here are some personalization techniques you can use:

🗒️ Reference their wishlist: Many agents post specific manuscript interests on their websites or social media. "I was excited to see on your #MSWL post that you're seeking climate fiction with hopeful endings."
👦 Mention their existing clients: Show familiarity with their roster. "I admired your work on Author X's Novel Title, particularly how it balanced character development with fast-paced action — elements I've strived for in my own manuscript."
📞 Acknowledge a conference connection: If you met at an event, remind them. "Thank you for your insights during the query workshop at the Writers' Conference last month. Your advice on opening hooks directly influenced my revisions."
🙏 Show genuine appreciation: Reference an interview or podcast appearance that resonated with you. "I appreciated your thoughtful discussion on the Publishing Today podcast about supporting diverse voices in science fiction."

Your personalization should be specific enough to show you've done research, but concise enough not to seem like flattery. Having one to two sentences at the beginning of your query is sufficient.

Be authentic 一 agents can spot generic, copy-pasted personalization. If you can't find something genuine to mention, a simple, professional greeting works better than forced personalization.

9. Follow the submission guidelines

This final step might seem mundane, but following submission guidelines demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail 一 qualities agents and editors value highly.

Each agency or publisher has specific requirements, which might include:

📧 Email formatting: Adhere to requested subject line formats. If they ask for "Query: TITLE – Genre," use exactly that format. This helps agents sort and track submissions.
🔗 Attachments vs. in-text: Some agents prefer the first five to ten pages of a manuscript pasted into the email body; others request attachments in specific formats (PDF, DOC). Never send attachments unless explicitly invited to do so.
⌛ Response expectations: Many agencies specify their response timeframes (e.g., "We respond to all queries within eight weeks."). Make note of this before following up. Generally, a polite nudge after the stated timeframe is acceptable.
🙅‍♀️ Exclusivity preferences: Some agents request exclusive consideration; others are fine with simultaneous submissions. If submitting simultaneously, it's professional to mention this in your query.

💡 Pro tip: Create a submission tracking spreadsheet with columns for each agent, what you sent, when you sent it, expected response time, and any personalized notes. This prevents embarrassing mix-ups in follow-up communications.

Remember: following guidelines isn't just about rules — it's your first demonstration that you can take direction and work professionally within the publishing industry.

Pitching is part art, part science. It’s about showing the best side of your story and doing your research to place it where it fits best. Remember that your pitch is your first impression — take your time, polish those words, and show that you’re a professional ready to share a thrilling read with the world.

I hope these tips empower you to craft a pitch that turns heads. Now go forth and get that story in front of the right people!