Last Chance: Local Editor Auctions off Pitch Critiques

Stephen Power, senior editor at Wiley and Maplewood resident, is taking part in the Publishing Gives Back auction, in which editors and agents auction off reviews of novels, editing, and other services with the proceeds going to the American Red Cross or other Sandy relief charities. 

"I’m auctioning off ten, 10-minute calls to hone nonfiction ideas and pitches, with a $10 floor for each (a 10-10-10 auction, I’m calling it)," said Power. 

Power will critique pitches rather than outlines and chapters because, he says, "as I’ve discovered at writers conferences, nonfiction writers need to have direction before they waste a ton of time researching. By the time one gets to an outline and chapter, it may be too late. If anything they will still want to use the material they researched and not want to go back and do new research, even if that’s what a more saleable idea entails."

To enter, visit the auction website and place your bid in the comment section of the post. Auction ends 9:00 a.m. EST, Tuesday, December 11th.

All bids must start at $10 or more and the top ten bids will win. 

Here is more information on Power, from the auction website:

Stephen S. Power is a senior editor at Wiley, where he works on sports, music, history, science and narrative nonfiction. His NY Times bestsellers include The Worst Person in the World by Keith Olbermann, Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001) by Don Felder and Wendy Holden, and Never Give Up: My Stroke, My Recovery and My Return to the NFL by Tedy Bruschi and Michael Holley. His two most recent books, both excellent gifts for the holidays, are Learn Something New Every Day: 365 Facts to Fulfill Your Life by NPR librarian Kee Malesky; and Perfection: The Inside Story of the 1972 Miami Dolphins’ Perfect Season by Bob Griese and Dave Hyde.  He tweets from @stephenspower.