One of the most popular Friday evening sessions of the 2009 Crime Bake returns for 2010 . . . once again with some of our stellar literary agents coaching the players.

The Practicing Your Pitch Workshop offers participants the chance to work on and improve their pitches in an environment that is safe, stimulating, and constructive. The 90 minute workshop will open with a short introductory presentation on what makes a pitch work, but the bulk of the time will be reserved for practicing and critiquing pitches. The pace will be fast and the goal will be for every writer who wants to practice pitching to get that opportunity. Much like a writing group, participants will benefit not just from working on their own pitches, but from listening to and participating in critiques of their fellow writers. Participants will leave this session with an improved pitch and the confidence to deliver it on Saturday with style.

Format: Interested attendees must register in advance. All registrants will get a presentation packet at the workshop, including guidelines for creating effective pitches and examples.

Pricing: Free.

Presenter: Lynne Heitman is a past co-chair of the Crime Bake Committee and has served two terms as President, MWA New England. Her Alex Shanahan thriller series grew out of her fourteen-year career with American Airlines and her experiences as general manager for American Airlines at Boston's Logan Airport. THE PANDORA KEY, the fourth book in the series, is available now from Pocket Books.

Presenter: Paula Munier is the Director of Acquisitions and Innovation for Adams Media and creator of hundreds of single titles and series, including the bestselling inspirational series A Cup of Comfort. She’s also the author/co-author of many books, including HOT FLASH HAIKU and FIXING FREDDIE (both coming in Spring 2010). She’s a proud member of the Monday Murder Club, and current president of the New England chapter of the Mystery Writers of America.

For crime fiction writers today there are more and more avenues to publication. This panel will distinguish the nontraditional avenues to publication from the traditional ones. Panelists will share their experiences in this realistic discussion of options like publishing through very small or nontraditional publishers, publishing short stories, going directly to e-Book, blogging, and self-publishing.

Presenters: M. J. Rose, Stephen D. Rogers, literary agent Gina Panettieri, and others TBD, with Kate Flora as moderator.