Narrative Pitch Formula in Action

In the Picture Book Pitch Formula, we gave you a template to use as a starting point for writing your pitches. As a reminder, this is the template:

You’ll notice that this template incorporates all the key components of a great pitch.

• Who is your HERO?
• What do they want in the story? What’s their GOAL?
• What or who is standing in their way? What OBSTACLES/PROBLEMS are getting in the way of pursuing their goal?
• What ACTIONS DO THEY TAKE to solve the problem?
•  What do they LEARN or how have they changed by the end?
• What is the TAKEAWAY OR THEME of your story for the young reader?

The template is powerful because it removes the guesswork around how to fit so much information into just 1-3 sentences.

Let’s show you what this looks like in action by using a classic picture book we’re all familiar with – WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE.

Here’s how all the key components are included in this pitch:

• Who is your HERO? Max is our hero.
• What do they want in the story? What’s their GOAL? Max’s goal is to be wild.
• What or who is standing in their way? What OBSTACLES/PROBLEMS are getting in the way of pursuing their goal? Max’s mother sending him to bed without supper is the obstacle.
• What ACTIONS DO THEY TAKE to solve the problem? Max’s actions involve embarking on an adventure.
• What do they LEARN or how have they changed by the end? What is the TAKEAWAY OR THEME of your story for the young reader? By the end, Max learns that being where someone loves you best is even better than being wild.

Now try the template with your own picture book pitches!

Want more help with picture book pitches? Grab our FREE Picture Book Summit Pitch Formula HERE!