Friendly workshops that develop publishers' skill and confidence with presenting books. Led by experienced publisher @blackpooltower Trade mark registered
London, England
Joined October 2017
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What this vampire has to do with pitching novels and why 'Ronseal' goes on the Banned List. It's The Book Pitch Doctor's Surgery #5: 'why is pitching fiction so hard?'
Link here: mailchi.mp/f147fa426767/the-…
Why passion for a book will only get you so far ...
My latest Book Pitch Doctor's surgery is all about having an argument.
mailchi.mp/d89b608226e2/the-…
Prof. Brian Cox has changed up his vocal delivery pretty dramatically and it works a treat. More authority, less starry-eyes wonder. Like it.
'Should I ask questions when I pitch?' A pre-Frankfurt special edition of The Book Pitch Doctor's Surgery.
(Also addresses the question: 'have we had enough "love letters to ..." in books' Spoiler: yes)
Newsletter here: mailchi.mp/674642659afd/the-…
Should we talk more like Mike?
This week's Book Pitch Doctor's Surgery is all about what to do if you talk too fast when you're nervous. Link here: mailchi.mp/11f51c8c892a/the-…
Excellent workshop at @HarperCollins yesterday on Advance Information sheet copywriting - quote of the day was @JoRoseSings "you know a good line - it's like when you try on some new clothes and want to dance" 🪩
... and brilliant as always to collaborate with @parkandlibrary my excellent @midascampaigns colleague :)
A cracking Book Pitch Doctor sesh at Penguin Random House UK yesterday. We did pausing, "list-speak", audible full stops, books-as-props, rhetorical questions, "Pret mode" and author stalking ...
This is fascinating from @byagoda in the @guardian on US adoption of British speech - I had no idea 'bit' was a Britishism ... theguardian.com/science/2024…
5x15 at the Tabernacle was good last night. Interesting from a presentation pov too. Jay Rayner talking fluently without notes or lectern, with well-choreographed slides ... but with an eager energy which felt a bit needy.
I wondered if longer pauses after his punchlines would convey more deadpan confidence and let the lines land better.
Where did it all go wrong for Roman Roy at his dad's funeral? Was it a maelstrom of repressed emotion? Or did he just use the wrong script format?
The Book Pitch Doctor's Surgery email #2 asks the question 'should I pitch from a script?'. Link here: mailchi.mp/f8ad6178adca/the-…
James Spackman retweeted
What goes into a winning non-fiction proposal? Join veteran publisher & literary agent James Spackman (@blackpooltower) for a hands-on workshop where you'll craft a compelling proposal and learn the industry essentials to get your book published.
Info 👉 arvon.org/writing-courses/co…
Yes, the OFFICIAL newsletter of The Book Pitch Doctor, folks! 👇
What, I hear you ask, can Kermit the Frog teach us publishing people about public speaking?
GREAT QUESTION. You can find the answer in my new email newsletter, The Book Pitch Doctor's Surgery, link below ...
mailchi.mp/a850903cde90/the-…
I used this speech as a "what not to do" example in a presentation training webinar yesterday.
Natural gestures = brilliant.
Forced, over-coached gestures = bullshit.
See also: Tory Thumb Weirdness.
This strange but fervently delivered speech, with multiple hand gestures for emphasis, from Penny Mordaunt basically translated into
Tories are freedom fighters
And the world follows every move of the Tories to lead them to a place of freedom fighting nirvana
Andrew Boff anyone?🤔
#CPC2023 aka
Conspiracy Party Conference
James Spackman retweeted
The first of our recorded events is available for our delegates on the website! Head to the conference page and watch ‘Publishing Initiatives Around the UK’ with @CatMitchell17, @Cstoreyy, Irum Fazal and @BookPitchDoctor! ☺️ It’s not too late to get your tickets… #SYPConf22
Really looking forward to this! :)
BOOK NOW ! Publishing Persuasion to sell More Books with James Spackman @BookPitchDoctor and guest speaker Louise Willder @castlesandcake, if you work in Editorial, Sales, Marketing, Rights, Publicity this course is for you !
bit.ly/3SQOWnF
ALT Cover Copy and Pitching - James Spackman and Publishing Ireland
ALT James Spackman
ALT Louise Willder Blurb Your Enthusiasm
In yesterday's workshop, an ambitious team from PRH did a "presentation to the Board" demanding a regional office ... on Mars. Loved it.
James Spackman retweeted
I've been eagerly nipping back to this book in between manuscripts and just finished it. I have taken MANY notes and am in generalised awe of @castlesandcake
As the great Wayne Campbell might put it, book trade people should be *issued* with it. Bloody marvellous.
