Live Pitching vs. Cold Querying Your Novel Submission—Which Path is Right for You?
Querying is a grind. Send an email (or a batch), wait, hear nothing or get rejected. Repeat a bunch of times.
If you’ve been in the trenches of traditional publishing, you know the struggle. But what if there was another way? What if instead of waiting endlessly for an agent to open your email, you could pitch your book directly to them—face to face?
That’s exactly what I sat down to talk about with Amy Nielsen—author, freelance editor, and literary agent with the Purcell Agency. She’s been on both sides of the publishing fence, and in this conversation, we unpacked the pros and cons of live pitching vs. cold querying, plus:
How live pitching can increase your chances of landing an agent (seriously, the stats will blow your mind)
What agents actually look for in a pitch (and what they don’t care about)
The importance of choosing the right comp titles—and why outdated ones can hold you back
How to prepare for a live pitch without spiraling into panic mode
Why a strong writing community makes all the difference in getting published
Amy’s insights are essential for any writer navigating the traditional publishing process. Whether you’re debating attending a pitch event or refining your query letter, this is the inside scoop you need.
Amy’s Journey: From Librarian to Author to Agent
Amy’s path to publishing started in a library.
For twenty years, she worked as a youth librarian, sharing books with young readers, curating collections, and helping turn reluctant kids into book lovers. She also began penning what would become her debut novel Worth It, though it would take many years before she published. When her youngest son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, she left her job to focus on his needs.
During that time, she wrote a picture book about autism, a guide for families, and eventually, went back to working on her novel.
But even as she pursued her own writing, she found herself gravitating toward helping others with their manuscripts. She loved critiquing, beta reading, and guiding fellow writers toward stronger stories. And when she saw her critique partner land her first book deal, she cried like it was her own.
That passion for helping other authors succeed led her to become a literary agent, where she now helps writers navigate the very journey she once struggled through herself.
Live Pitching vs. Cold Querying: The Pros, Cons & Stats That Will Shock You
Most writers default to cold querying—sending an email or using a query tracker, crossing their fingers, and hoping for a response. But Amy broke down the numbers, and honestly, live pitching changes the game.
The Stats:
Cold Querying: Only 5-10 percent of writers get a request for pages. Less than 3 percent receive an offer of representation.
Live Pitching: Between 20-30 percent of writers get a request for materials, and 5-10 percent receive an offer of representation.
The odds of getting an agent’s attention triple when you pitch live.
And it makes sense—live pitching creates a human connection. When an agent meets you face to face, sees your enthusiasm, and hears your passion for your book, it’s a completely different experience than reading another email in a crowded inbox.
Why Some Agents Prefer Live Pitches
When Amy first opened for queries, she got almost 700 submissions in 48 hours.
How many of those writers did she actually sign? Less than 2 percent.
Now compare that to a recent live pitch event she attended. She heard nine pitches, requested materials from every single author, and gave personalized feedback to all of them.
With a live pitch, you’re not just a random query in a sea of submissions—you’re a real person telling a story that matters to you.
How to Prepare for a Live Pitch (Without Freaking Out)
If you’re considering pitching an agent at an event, Amy’s biggest piece of advice is to expect to be nervous—and do it anyway.
You don’t need to memorize your pitch. Read it if you need to. Agents aren’t judging your ability to recite lines.
Be enthusiastic. Show that you love your book—passion is contagious.
Practice beforehand. Say your pitch out loud, even if it’s just to yourself in the closet.
Use extra time wisely. If your pitch is short, ask the agent a question. Find out what they’re looking for, what they’re excited about, or even if they’d be open to hearing about a second project.
Follow up. If an agent requests materials, send them promptly and professionally.
And if you need help structuring your pitch, Amy has a free pitch template on her website (https://amynielsenauthor.com) to guide you through the process.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Comp Titles
Comp titles (comparative titles) can make or break a query, and Amy shared an eye-opening experience from her own querying journey.
For a year, she sent out queries and kept getting rejections. Then she changed one comp title—swapping an outdated book for a newer, more relevant title—and within a month, she:
Got an offer of representation from an agent
Received an R&R (revise and resubmit) from a publisher
Landed an offer of publication from Wild Ink Press
One change made all the difference.
How to Choose Strong Comp Titles:
Stick to books published in the last three to five years. Some editors now want comps as recent as three years.
Pick books with a similar tone, theme, or structure—NOT just similar content.
Use at least one book comp. Movies and TV shows are okay, but agents need book comps to understand market fit.
If you’re struggling to find the right comps, Amy recommends:
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast—they help authors find strong comps.
Librarians and indie booksellers—they know the latest books inside and out.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Community in Publishing
Amy’s biggest takeaway from her publishing journey is that you cannot do this alone. And you know that I couldn’t agree more! After all, my favorite saying is “Writing is an inside job that we do not do alone.”
Writing may be solitary, but publishing isn’t.
She credits her critique partners, mentors, and writing community for helping her get through self-doubt, rejection, and the long road to publication.
Her advice? Find three people:
A writer ahead of you who can mentor you.
A peer at your level who can support you.
A writer behind you who you can mentor in return.
Because lifting each other up is how we all move forward. Can I get an amen here?!!!!!
Want to Pitch an Agent at a Live Event? Here’s Your Next Step.
If you’re curious about live pitching, check out Writing Day Workshops or other conferences that offer pitch opportunities.
And if you’re querying, make sure your comp titles are current and relevant—it could be the tweak that changes everything.
Connect with Amy: amynielsenauthor.com
Listen to the full podcast episode here.
