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Pocono Believe 2025: Silent Pitch Showcase

What is it?

Silently Pitch your Manuscript with a Book Aesthetic/Mood Board

A book aesthetic or mood board is a visual snapshot of your manuscript. If you search for examples online, you will find that most include images that represent some of the IMPORTANT characters, actions, setting, tension and overall mood/tone of the story. You may also include a BRIEF written pitch or logline for your story incorporated into the overall aesthetic. Small pitches are best. We recommend limiting writing to no more than 3 or 4 sentences for chapter books and novels or 1 to 2 sentences for picture books and early readers. Hashtags and comp titles welcome.

How to Participate

Free with registration.

Deadline:

Bring your silent pitch display with you to the retreat. Setup will occur at the time of registration.

What to bring:

Your completed book aesthetic/mood board on a sturdy foam or cardboard backing. (12 x 17 rectangle or similar size recommended)
An easel or other stand to keep your mood board up.
Business cards, bookmarks or other small promotional items that fit IN FRONT of your silent pitch display.

How to format your submission:

⇒Your book aesthetic/mood board should consist primarily of a picture collage that represents your manuscript. The images can be taken from online sources or ones that you create.

⇒It may be helpful to search online for other examples for reference. Possible search terms: novel aesthetic, #novelaesthetic, book aesthetic, book mood board. The are a lot of examples out there AND tips/step-by-step instructions for creating these!

⇒Author-illustrators may choose to display a full dummy in addition to or in lieu of the book aesthetic/mood board.

⇒Please include your name on your work as well as title, category and genre of the manuscript.

⇒Mount your completed book aesthetic/mood board on a sturdy foam or cardboard backing (12 x 17 rectangle or similar size recommended).