There’s a lot to talk about but I’ll get right to the news most of you have been waiting for:

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#PitchDis will be back this September!

• September 9-11 – Pitch Window

• September 16-19 – Request Window

 

For those who entered last year the format will be very similar, but there will be a few changes. Here’s what’s staying the same:

• The event itself will again be here on the site, pitchdis.com.

• You’ll fill out a Google form to pitch.

• You can pitch once per project, and up to two projects.

• You must self-identify as disabled, neurodivergent, and/or chronically ill to participate, and you must also be unagented.

• Boosting Black disabled voices remains a priority, so Black Voices Matter will be a category again this year.

• Agents and acquiring editors will be asked to register, and registration is now open! Just click here and enter your info.

 

Now, here are the changes.

• You may use up to 300 characters in your pitch (it was previously 280).

• You will be asked to confirm items on the Google form to ensure you are following the rules and meet the eligibility requirements.

• There will be a list of the optional hashtags and the option to enter “Other.”

• Picture books and graphic novels will still be accepted, but artwork and illustrations will not be allowed this year.

• Thanks to a lot of help from our friends at #SmallPitch, we’re going to try an automated system for requests. Here's what that means for you:

  • Agents and Editors - You will be able to request pitches by adding them to a cart, just like you would when shopping for items! You'll only have to type in your submission instructions one time and they'll be sent to all the authors you're requesting from. Additionally, you'll have the option to search and filter pitches via category, genre, and hashtags.​

  • Authors - You'll receive your requests in real time via email! 

 

I’ll have more information in the next few months, and like last year I’ll let you see and play with the Google form before the pitch window opens. A few of you already got a sneak peek when the form was in test mode in February, but I’m still tweaking things a bit so you might get another sneak peek and opportunity to help out again as we get closer to the event. And you’re always welcome to DM or email with any questions! But here are two things I’m going to continue being very firm with:

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• I will not answer any questions regarding whether you are “disabled enough” or if your disability/illness makes you eligible for the event. Please refer to the eligibility page if you have any doubts.

• I will not extend the pitch window. This is your nearly six-month save the date notice. Mark the dates in your calendar, set a reminder, do what you need to do to remember to pitch within the 60-hour time frame. Because once the form closes the evening of September 11, it’s closed until at least 2026. Plan accordingly.

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Again, with changes we may have some hiccups. We definitely did last year! But many of the changes I made this year will hopefully fix some of the problems we had in 2024. I'm always for ways to improve, so while I'll do my best to make everything as glitch-free as possible, please realize it's a work in progress =)

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Anyway, onto something I unfortunately have to touch on—needing help to continue to run the event.

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Since we’ve moved away from Twitter as our home base, this site has become vital to us for running the event. It’s where every single one of your pitches was posted last year. Recently, Wix raised their prices for their site hosting plans, and the plan I had pitchdis.com on was discontinued. After going over my options and even downgrading the plan, I’m still looking at a larger hosting bill. Between that and…well…*gestures at everything*, after four years of paying for it myself, I honestly don’t know if I’ll be able to afford it after this year’s event. In addition, in order to make things easier for the authors, agents, and acquiring editors participating (and me), I’m using #SmallPitch’s model this year, which automates so much of the work I had to do last year. The two apps needed to do that have monthly fees. Thankfully, I only need to pay for the month the event is held, and they’re relatively small fees, but they are still extra costs I didn’t have before.

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Because of this, I set up a Ko-Fi to accept donations to help offset the costs for one year of site hosting and one month of the apps, which is around $250. In addition, I have something special for anyone who donates $15 or more – a #PitchDis sticker! The stickers are approximately 2 inches by 3.5 inches - the perfect size for your favorite notebook or your laptop.

 

 

 

 

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So if you ever wanted #PitchDis merch, now’s your chance to get some and help keep the event running. You’ll find the link to the Ko-Fi below. I’ll also hold a raffle before the event for anyone who can't make a donation, but would like a chance to win a sticker.

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I think that’s all for now. Authors, get those pitches ready! Agents and editors, don't forget to register! I’ll post more information as we get closer to the event.

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Thanks, everyone! 💜

-Despina

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***Please note—donations are being accepted as of today, but I won’t be able to ship the stickers until sometime in April. If you make a donation of $15 or more, include your mailing address -OR- email address where I can reach you in the comment section, and make sure to check the box that says “Private message.”