The Pitch

Presented by Wendy Coakley-Thompson

Goals of the Pitch

Introduce myself

Discuss my latest novel

Discuss my marketing plan and the rationale behind it

Who is Wendy Coakley-Thompson?

Author of Back to Life and What You Won’t Do For Love

Writer of music and fashion/lifestyle articles

Co-host of The Book Squad

Metro Connection contributor

What Others Have to Say...

“Coakley-Thompson enters the literary world with a bang.” – Romantic Times

[Back to Life] “… combines reality and fiction in an intriguing and powerful story.” – Booklist

“What You Won't Do For Love is an awe-inspiring novel of finding one's soul mate.” – RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Triptych: The Latest Novel

What is a triptych?

A triptych (pronounced “trip-tick,” from the Greek tri – “three” + ptyche – “fold”) is a work of art (usually a painting) which is divided into three sections, or three carved panels which are hinged together. The central part is the most important one, and this is flanked on either side by two lesser but related paintings. The whole is intended to be greater than the sum of its parts.

Taken from Wikipedia.org

Sample of a Triptych

Garden of Earthly Delights, by Hieronymous Bosch (El Bosco)

Triptych: The Pitch

Ally and Jonathan have been married for ten years. They share a close relationship with Jonathan’s cousin Tim, whom Ally dated when they were both teenagers. Tim, now a grieving widower, is present when they receive the news that Jonathan has a nasty, highly malignant, inoperable brain tumor. While they minister to Jonathan, Ally and Tim recognize that there is chemistry – still – between them. Unable to help themselves, they act on their carnal attraction. Just as guilt consumes them, Jonathan enters the mix, presenting Tim with an unorthodox proposition…

Triptych: The Audience

Readers of the following fiction genres: mainstream women’s multicultural those featuring interracial/multiracial

relationships and protagonists those set in exotic locales readers of the West Indian Diaspora

Triptych: Categories

FictionAdult fictionRomantic fictionErotic romance

Triptych: Tone

The tone of the novel, like its setting -- the Bahamas -- is warm, lush, and steamy, with a hint of wistfulness concerning the past but of hope for the future.

Triptych: Unique Areas of Interest

Untimely deathdeath from cancertests of religious faithfamily support systemsforbidden attractionWest Indian life and cultureinterracial relationships and offspring

Triptych: Comparative Fiction

The Notebook, by Nicholas SparksDying Young, by Marti LeimbachAddicted, by Zane

Triptych: Comparative Films and TV Shows

Dying Young3lbsWire in the Blood (Episode:

Synchronicity)Grey’s Anatomy (Episode: Where the

Wild Things Are)

Triptych: Authors Providing Book Jacket Quotes

Karyn Langhorne. Author of A Personal Matter Melissa Senate, author of See Jane Date and

Questions to Ask Before Marrying Berta Platas, author of Cinderella Lopez and Friday

Night Chicas: Sexy Stories from La Noche D. V. Bernard, author of Intimate Relations With

Strangers and How to Kill Your Boyfriend (in Ten Easy Steps)

Felicia Pride, author of The Message: 100 Life Lessons from Hip Hop’s Greatest Songs. Blogger, The BackList and AOL’s More Than Words

Triptych: Why Cancer?

According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, “one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime

Though overall cancer death rates have fallen in the United States, cancer is the cause of half of the deaths in this country (heart disease is the cause of the other half).

Brain tumors are the second leading cause of cancer-related death for men up to age 39 and for women under age 20.

Triptych: Why Cancer?

LuminariesRelativesFriendsMyself

Triptych: Marketing Meets Philanthopy

Triptych as a marketing tool, addressingcancer awarenessthe importance of cancer screening in

general and among people of African descent in particular

the importance of regular mammograms among women of African descent, who are susceptible to the most virulent strains of cancer

Triptych: Marketing Meets Philanthopy

Establishment of partnerships with the following:

The American Cancer SocietyNational Cancer InstituteThe Avon FoundationThe Cancer Society

Triptych: Other Marketing Strategies

Media: Viral and traditionalConferencesSpeaking OpportunitiesToursOrganizationsAdditional Contacts

Triptych: In Sum...

This book is my passion. Such passion drives me.

Art can be a philanthropic tool.I have the base to ensure that I achieve

my goals of inspiring readers with a story of the triumph of the human spirit, and of contributing substantively to the eradication of a disease that is one of humanity’s scourges.

Sources

Susan G. Komen for the Cure (www.oneineight.org)

Associated Press (http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories/081909kvue_life_expectancy-cb.f75fecf7.html)

American Brain Tumor Association (http://www.abta.org/siteFiles/SitePages/5E8399DBEEA8F53CBBBBF212C63AE113.pdf)