Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read

by Michael Hauge

Your career can be made in 60 seconds - if you make the right pitch! Master the Elevator Pitch, even when you've got less than 60 seconds. Get your screenplay or Novel read by the major power of Hollywood - guaranteed!

Genres: Writing, Film, Nonfiction, Reference, Crafts

186 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

After attending a horrible pitch workshop, this book saved my pitch, just in time for a writer's conference. Hauge is correct when he says his templates and guidelines are a place to START, that you really have to tweak your pitch and add YOU to it. So when I pitched to a combined 5 producers and agents I had to tweak my pitch depending on what they were looking for, that still kept my story in tact. But, after reading his book, I gained confidence in how to pitch my story, in how to think quickly on my feet with short and to the point answers. And all 5 out of 5 loved my pitched and had incredible things to say about what they liked about my story and how excited they were to read it, not to mention they said I had an incredible pitch. So thanks Michael, this is a must read.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I be able to rate this book for real, I think I'd need to have read some similar books for comparison, but I haven't.

I give it four stars because I found it clear and concrete, which is important given the topic. I dock it one star because I don't like the "Guaranteed Way" part, and it's in more than just the title; the attitude "my way is the best way and you should just do it" always bothers me.

Hauge (pronounced, apparently, to rhyme with "vague") covers everything from identifying the key components of your story, to designing a pitch, targeting buyers, obtaining pitch opportunities, and more. Most of the book, in fact, has to do with what to do after you've crafted your pitch.

Having just looked through the table of contents, I find myself thinking, "I need to read this again" — a good sign.

[Marc Swift · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have written a story. How do you present it as an elevator pitch? Thus the title. You have 60 seconds to 'sell' your story and get your screenplay or novel read. By far Michael's Hauge's Best Book: Short and sweet, given the heart and meaning of this generous book is presented --get ready-- from page 1 to page 12. From page 13 to page 28 you will zero in and sharpen up your 'Pitch.' The book from there on is invaluable reading because Mr Hauge shows us what this looks like from the standpoint of his life's experiences and shares his innumerable resources. I almost reads as his last testament, "OK, here is the best of what I have. Run with it!" Amazing!

[Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit—this book offers some pretty great insights on pitching. It takes a broad approach, covering strategies for pitching film, TV, and books, making it a solid starting point for anyone navigating these creative industries.

What stood out to me the most was the section where creators from various backgrounds shared their perspectives. Hearing firsthand what makes a pitch ‘pop’ and what turns them off was both enlightening and practical.

I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was, but I’m happy to say I was wrong. If you’re looking for guidance on pitching, this book is definitely worth checking out.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Hauge outlines invaluable advice for authors preparing to pitch their works to the powers that be. The information is presented succinctly and includes opinions from many industry experts. This is a necessary resource for authors trying to get their manuscripts read.

[Gonzalo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michale Hauge shares years of experience and countless experiences from people who work in Hollywood to offer insights on why pitches fail and the keys to obtaining a great pitch, focusing on the elevator pitch, also referred to as the 60 seconds pitch. Although a bit obsolete in time (wrote in 2004, I wonder how many people have tried this technique till extenuation), the book offers some common-sense advice and tips that are always helpful. It's a great recommended quick read before preparing your pitch, which, by the way, should not even be approached until you have the essence of your craft, a good story, and a great screenplay.

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly]

I was reading it for class (screenwriting, CRWR 206) and until I use its suggestions, can't really rate it!

(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)

[Fee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the first three chapters the most. Those are great and truly about the pitch. The rest just wasn't for me. I wanted to learn more about pitching. I am less interested in referrals, presentation or what websites to go to for agents.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for anyone planning on pitching a story (this includes novelists, not just screenwriters). Hauge explains the difference between a pitch and a log line and how to describe your story in a way that will make it sell.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for anyone planning on pitching a story (this includes novelists, not just screenwriters). Hauge explains the difference between a pitch and a log line and how to describe your story in a way that will make it sell.

[Jettz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for any writer

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book if you are looking to pitch an idea in the entertainment industry

[Fabrizio Poli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to help you really distill your story down to the essence. This is an essential skill to develop and this book teaches it in a very simple way.

[Bogdan Goncharenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic introduction and ideas. I was just one step away from returning this book.

[Micole Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it for a class and I enjoyed it...I like that there is not a lot of fluff. It's a short, concrete, practical and to the point.

[Linda Duan]

Useful

[Brenda Clark Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I’d read this book years ago! It would have helped me tremendously.

[Sathvik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you want to publish something? This is the place to start.

[Todd Croak-Falen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book! Plenty of great advice. I'll be typing up some notes from this one...

Hauge has a good tone. He's informational while still remaining helpful. (Some how-to books rub me the wrong way because they focus too much on what NOT to do.) Hauge has a very positive style, and the book reads quickly. Pitching and selling are not my two favorite things about being a writer -- I just like to write! So I'm glad someone like Hauge has broken it down in a clear and accessible way for me.

I'm curious to check out his other title, "Writing Screenplays That Sell."

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hauge teaches the importance of developing a strong pitch, an often overlooked but essential part of getting your work published. It doesn't matter how good your writing is if you can't convince someone to take a look at that first page, after all. The book itself feels fast-paced and entertaining; it's full of information but I never felt bored reading it.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another school book. It wasn't bad, but the way it suggested parsing your book and laying it out for others is the exact opposite of how my actual writing process works. In other words, I could do it after the fact while I eat my over-cooked broccoli

[Cobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two best parts of this book are the 10 things your pitch needs to get across in the 60 seconds and the pitch templates in the back of the book. They are great examples of how to pitch your story to get someone to read your script.

[M.A. Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, simple, and easy to digest, this book helps take the fear from pitching. As a novelist, it has great ideas and suggestions, although I think it would be better suited for screenwriters. Definitely worth the read.

[Lesley Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical guide to pitching your novel with great worked examples. I've pitched many times now following Michael's advice with great results.

[Bill Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this just before attending ThrillerFest/AgentFest and pitching my novel. Found it to be very useful and recommend to authors.

[M.L. McAmis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this in an excellent book packed with very useful information for any author or screenwriter, even aspiring ones.

[Michelle Lam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

all around great book on what to do to be heard..whether you have a screenplay or book..loved it so much I bought his other books

[Chips · Rating 5 out of 5]

:')

[Amit Bolakani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read giving you tricks to pitching your stories.

[Kathleen Messmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the most honest and comprehensive pitch book I've ever read. I plan to use the strategies outlined to focus on raising funding for our projects and lining up distribution.