If it's a movie pitch, Deb, I would suggest not don't using a TV reference. I also think the "X meets Y" format is a little played out. Two of the most famous high concept pitches were "MTV Cops" which was the pitch for the original Miami Vice, and "Die Hard on a Bus," which was the pitch for Speed.

Yours don't have to be that short--but look for something immediately arresting, pithy and pop-culturally connected. It sucks to write one of these things when you want to say "Just read the material already, moron" but they're a selling tool.

Robin, that second paragraph? You essentially quoted my agent.

She came up with Lovejoy as a nice cultural reference: basically, an expert in an esoteric field, doing his thing and knowing where and how to research.

And yep, appears as if they may actually want me to do one of these in screenplay form, or at least be willing to do one in screenplay form; their guys seem to want that to approach Ewan McGregor's reps with.

I am happy. Just got off the phone with Ayelet Waldman who said, hell yeah, tell anyone looking at the Kinkaids I'll blurb. I love my friends. That blurb, from her, is a big damned piece of bait.

flail flail flail

Nice Agent Lady e-mailed. She liked the chapter outline (and said that some of it made her laugh out loud). Next up, writing sample chapters, and bribing Pete for some more illustrations so we can create a couple of sample pages for my agent to show to editors. Meep!

Whyfor the flail, sweetie? This is all good news, and we're all here as backup for the sample-chapter stuff.

I need to ping Roz and ask her to ask Charles Shaar Murray if he'd be willing to blurb.

Jeepers.

Jilli! Can I borrow your flail...?

Whyfor the flail, sweetie? This is all good news, and we're all here as backup for the sample-chapter stuff.

Oh, I know. However, I'm still in the OMG a literary agent contacted meeeee! And thinks my stuff is publishable! stage.

Jilli! Can I borrow your flail...?

You do realize that it's a toy bat that makes squeaky noises, right?

I'll take it. I need to re-hook with a humongous shadowy ghost from my past. Anything resembling a flail would be of the good and all of mine are blunt objects that damage the floors.

sj, that kicks ass. I just hope the blonde said it loud enough for the crowd of little wannabitchbe's to hear.

Thanks. Yes, she did, that day and many many times after that. That was the day I met T. She nearly got suspended one time for bitching them all out in the school yard when I was out sick one day.

Nice Agent Lady e-mailed. She liked the chapter outline (and said that some of it made her laugh out loud). Next up, writing sample chapters, and bribing Pete for some more illustrations so we can create a couple of sample pages for my agent to show to editors. Meep!

Woo Hoo!!!

Deb, I am sorry that the publishers are being so evil.

My god, I feel so totally author-slacker. I feel proud of myself for getting a few paragraphs done in the fic, much less the original book.

No, This Really Doesn't Suck (100 words)

Bill Gates has never shared a plate of pot stickers with Juliana, basked in her devastating smile, nor walked by her side through the streets of North Beach, feeling the envious eyes of every man he passed.

Steve Jobs has never laughed himself hoarse at one of Deb's parties, nor felt Nic's strong arms around him when he thought everything was going to hell.

Wayne Gretzky has never woken up sandwiched between his wife and his very best friend. Actually, I don't know that for sure.

The 'in' crowd can kiss my ass -- I like my life just fine.

Aw... But I feel like I should be mad...I had a serious hate-on for life and humanity in general and Karl broke it. Mom, I'm telling! Karl messed up my bile! You're just always doing that...touching stuff that doesn't belong to you. Did I ask to be affirmed today? No, I didn't. You try to live your life awash in bitterness and petty jealousy, and then somebody comes along and...?! Smooth move, ExLax. Thank you.