It’s August 27, which immediately brings to mind two things.
One, it’s exactly two months until my wedding!
And two, it’s exactly one month until Pitch Wars submissions are due. Which is….exciting! And nerve-wracking.
When I first decided I’d apply to Pitch Wars, I figured the due date would be the end of August like it was in 2018, giving me a two-month gap between submissions and the wedding. It didn’t turn out that way, but nonetheless, I knew I wanted to apply, and I’m so glad I am. It’s kept me on a steady revisions track despite everything else going on.
It’s going to be a busy month, but I’m entering it with as much confidence, energy and excitement I can. I’ve spent months preparing for this submission, and I want to end on a high note, no matter what happens.
A few days ago, I learned via the Pitch Wars Twitter account that the chances of getting in are about 2.8%. Oddly enough, that’s higher than I expected — I thought it was something wild like 1 in 300. Don’t ask me where I got that number. The truth is that I don’t expect to get in. I’m doing everything I can to make it happen, but 2.8% simply isn’t a high chance (even if it’s WAY better than my crazy 1 in 300).
As I enter this last month of Pitch Wars submission prep, I can’t help but think of the many other writers out there, like me, who will be applying. I imagine all of us with our heads down, writing feverishly, overthinking that opening line, and tweaking our query letter a hundred times until it’s unrecognizable from its original form. To all of us out there revising night after night, I raise my cup of chamomile tea to you!
Even if I don’t get in, I’m so, so glad I’m applying. Sure, there are times where I pine for an evening of Fruity Pebbles and Chopped (and my wonderful fiance helps me make sure I take breaks like that), but Pitch Wars has helped me challenge myself and my writing skills. It’s forced me to send my drafts out to beta readers when I *really* wanted more time, because we’re always going to want more time, aren’t we? Pitch Wars pushed me to keep going, and my writing is better because of it.
So, submissions just so happen to be due the exact month before my wedding, and the mentees will be announced while I’m on my honeymoon. What a year! Whatever happens, your girl will be drinking a pina colada on the beach.
Good luck to everyone who’s spending the next month prepping for Pitch Wars; be proud of that effort! It is TOUGH, and you’re not alone.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a dagger-wielding scene to return to.
Hugs and hot coffee,
Valerie
valerie c. norton 