Overview
Literary agents are always on a treasure hunt. But few writers know what it takes to make an agent yell, “Eureka, I’ve struck gold!” A first glance is all that most writers will get before the agent moves on without ever reading further, and that first glance needs to be a “Eureka” moment. I would love to show you how to cut through the mystery of getting an agent to want YOU.You need to find the best ways to showcase your writing as a bold, new entry into its category and yourself as a potential author with an intriguing book poised to spring forth. We can work on your hooks, selling points, and engines so that you will be able to sum up your entire book with a two-line description—and that’s gold! We’ll dive into best practices that will allow your pitch to either give off sparks or create a moment or pose a provocative question. You’ll learn you how you can avoid ‘Querial’ Killers: the easy-to-fix mistakes writers make when querying agents. And, of course, we’ll talk (in detail) about your writing.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:How to make the perfect pitchHow to deliver the flavor your book to whet the reader’s appetite for moreHow to keep the momentum going through the first pagesHow to start in a logical place—yet from a compelling perchHow to identify the most exciting elements that illustrate your workHow to encapsulate (in clear core points) when proposing a bookThe five key takeaways you need to entice an agent/editorHow to amplify your chances for being selectedWhat to do—and what not to do—when summarizing your book in 200-250 words. You want the neurons in the agent’s mind to decide, “Yes, keep reading!”
Services
Non-Fiction
Career Guides
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits
Entertainment
Health & Wellbeing
Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Travel
Fiction
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Science Fiction
Thriller & Suspense
Languages
English (US)
Work experience
Making the Perfect Pitch: How to Catch a Literary Agent's Eye
Jan, 2018 —
Present
Testimonials
Hi Katharine! Thank you for your great idea at last year's American Society of Journalists and Authors, Inc. (ASJA) pitch! I sold the book!!
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In the writing world, the right marketing skills can mean the difference between survival or a career dirt nap. Talent often takes a back seat to persistence and preparedness --and only the strongest and savviest survive. Katharine Sands offers professional ammunition for the battle which will help any writer--both professional and neophyte--hone his or her target eye. I have been writing for a living for nearly ten years and don't often read how-to books. But Katharine's keen insights and her no-nonsense but supportive voice gave me a bracing shot of career espresso. Her book is now on my work shelf next to the other tools of my trade: a twelve ounce coffee cup and Roget's Thesaurus.
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Thanks to Katharine, who agented, nursed, buoyed, endorsed, goosed, pumped up and supported this project every waking moment since its first light.
Laura Levin, Elvis and You
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Katharine Sands, a successful literary agent with the Sarah Jane Freymann Agency in New York, corrals 40 top agents and experts from CAA, Trident Media, Meredith G. Bernstein, Jane Dystel Literary Management, and more and gets them to tell what really excites them about pitches, query letters and proposals. "Making The Perfect Pitch" is well organized and the approach is unique. While it's informative to have the expertise of one agent it's invaluable to have the opinion of a number of different agents'. Ms. Sands brings a breadth of knowledge and experience to writers they desperately need and seldom receive. If you're hunting for an agent, you need to know how to pitch and "Making The Perfect Pitch" gives you the ammunition to be dead on target.
Dee Power
co-author, The Making of a Bestseller
Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency
Jan, 1992 —
Present
BIOGRAPHY
Katharine has worked with a varied list of authors who publish a diverse array of books including both fiction, memoir and non-fiction.
Among the books she represents are: The Apothecary’s Curse, nominated for the Bram Stoker Award in the First Novel category for 2017; and Girl Walks Out of a Bar, a memoir that was featured by People Magazine as Notable Nonfiction.
She is actively building her list and looking for books that have a clear benefit for readers’ lives in categories of food, travel, lifestyle, home arts, beauty, wisdom, relationships, parenting, fresh looks, life challenges, or popular culture.
When reading fiction, she wants to be compelled and propelled by urgent storytelling, and hooked by characters. For memoir, she likes to be transported to a world rarely or newly observed
Katharine Sands is one of those agents that supports you 150% throughout the process. She never says stop and if you are lucky enough to land her as an agent you will no doubt have a successful career. The great thing about Katharine is she is just as excited about the process as you the author. She has single-handedly placed two books for us and I have no doubt she will continue to place books and give us new ideas as she has a pulse of the readers and the market. She is, without doubt, one of the best literary agents in the business -- Shawn Tassone, MD, PhD
Portfolio
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The ultimate guide for Elvis Presley fans provides a host of never-before-seen photographs, helpful advice on collecting Elvis memorabilia, trivia, a complete discography, and information on Elvis websites, movies, music, fan clubs, chat rooms, and more. Original.
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Katharine has 51 reviews
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Mark F.
Feb, 2022
Scott B.
Nov, 2019
Luigina V.
Jun, 2019
Gerry P.
May, 2019
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Mar, 2019
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