When High-Concept Lacks Heft and Heart
Ladies Man vs. Tootsie
But first, just when you thought it was safe to get back into the water…
It breaks my heart when I see pitches for manuscripts that have very little chance of selling, knowing how much work a writer has put in. That’s why I’ve started Pitch Tank.
It’s like shark tank for pitches, but without the sharp teeth. The event will be held the second Monday of every month ( starting today!) and you can share your ideas for upcoming novels, and I’ll weigh in on the marketability. (No drawing blood, I promise).
Feel free to also ask questions about trending genres and/or comps, mash-ups or anything that applies to market viability. I will continually check this space weighing in on new material for one week.
Pitch Tank is only for paid subscribers, and that’s only because I wouldn’t be able to manage it otherwise.
Speaking of free subscribers, I value you too! I’ve lifted a paywall on on how to pitch:
Are you thinking of becoming a paid sub for $.67 per issue? Check out the paid subscriber benefits. (Psst. You’ll find some more free posts.)
Share your pitch or ask your pitching question here:
TOP STORY
I can’t resist a great premise that’s why I found myself watching Netflix’s Ladies First. Here’s the pitch: A ladies man finds his life upended when he wakes up in a parallel world dominated by women. With the rules of engagement changed, he goes head-to-head with a fiery female colleague in a playful satire about what happens when the script is flipped.
It’s a high concept pitch that more than lives up to the promise of its premise, i.e. what if a misogynist suddenly finds himself in a world run by women?
In the new world, the pope is female, Burger King is Burger Queen, and men shop at Victor’s Secret to please women, who are the sexual aggressors. I especially enjoyed the new names for books: Donna Quixote, Harriet Potter, and The Lady of the Rings.
The main character faces multiple indignities at the hands of females: cat calls, patronizing behavior, and unwelcome sexual attention.
Unfortunately, the writers were so in love with their premise, other satisfying story elements were sacrificed. I laughed a lot but felt vaguely unsatisfied at the end.
Contrast Ladies First with Tootsie which explores similar territory, but the latter is a far richer story experience.