#DVpit
#DVpit
pitch event for creators from marginalized communities.
Now hosted on Bluesky!
About
DVpit is returning October 8, 2025!
starting at 8am ET and ending 8pm ET#DVpit (Diverse Voices Pitch) is a Bluesky event for marginalized voices that have been historically underrepresented in publishing to pitch their work to agents and editors.This may include (but is not limited to): Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC); people from marginalized, underrepresented cultures and countries; disabled persons (includes neurodivergence and mental illness); people on marginalized ends of the cultural and/or religious spectrum; people identifying within LGBTQIA+. Participating marginalized creators can post about their finished projects on the day of DVpit in the hopes of finding an agent or editor for their work.The first #DVpit took place on April 19, 2016 and was a national trending hashtag. Since then, there have been hundreds of creators signed by agents and countless book deals contracted as a direct result of this event, with editors from small to mid-size to Big Five publishers requesting to receive the manuscripts at submission stage.To participate, marginalized creators must have a polished/query-ready manuscript or portfolio to pitch. Pitches must be within the 300-character limit and include the #DVPit hashtag. Agents and editors will like or repost pitches they're interested in during the one-day event.Follow us on bluesky for more up-to-date announcements
Any decisions regarding eligibility are yours to make. Creators are not obligated to disclose anything they do not feel comfortable with and are not required to pitch only work that reflects their own identity, though that is certainly welcome!
IMPORTANT: Unfortunately, the DVpit url has been claimed by an unknown party which is claiming to be us with services that we do not endorse. At this time, please be advised that all the official information for DVpit only comes from this carrd, our Bluesky account (dvpit.bsky.social), or our discord. We are NOT affiliated with Cecil Butler or his payday loans
Preparation
First, you need a Bluesky account in order to participate. Visit bsky.app to create an account. Be sure to create a unique username; if you use the suggested username, people might think you are a bot! Your username is called a “handle” and will begin with an @ symbol.Your display name should be your name or your pen name; whichever you would use to send query letters, so that any requesting agents or editors will be able to cross-check your email with the bluesky account you are using.Once you have your account, please upload a photo—doesn’t have to be your real face if you don’t want, but something so you seem like a real person. For the same reason, you should fill out the bio section. Something simple like “YA writer” for example would be great!Finally, finish and polish up your manuscripts, art, or portfolios to get them query-ready before DVpit!
Pitching Basics
You submit your pitch by posting it on bluesky on the day of #DVpit.
(check out our About Page for more details on date and time)
To post, you must log in to your account on bsky.app. You click on the "new post" button on the side menu (on desktop) or the blue button on the bottom (on mobile). Once you've typed out your pitch, click “post”.Marginalized creators must have a polished/query-ready manuscript or portfolio to pitch.Your post should be a pitch for your book, and must include the #DVpit hashtag. (illustrators who are pitching their art must use both the #DVPit & #DVArt hashtag). Depending on what you are pitching, you should also include hashtags that categorize your book. Some examples of categories are: #PB = picture book, #CB = chapter book, #MG = middle grade, #YA = young adult, #GN = graphic novel, #A = Adult. You can also include hashtags to indicate the genre. Examples are: #CR = contemporary romance, #HF = historical fiction, #LF = literary fiction, #MEM = memoir, #F = fantasy, #SF = science fiction.See our suggested hashtag listYou can put these hashtags before or after your pitch line, but it must be within the same post as your pitch. Do not “thread” your posts. (A thread is when you reply to your own post, thereby creating a chain of connected posts. Each post-pitch should stand alone.)We are working on the honor system here. We will trust that you are an eligible creator per the description on the About page. If the work you are pitching also reflects a marginalized identity/background, and you want a quick way to make that more apparent in your short pitch (and you can fit a few more characters), we also encourage you to include a hashtag abbreviation to get that information across. Examples: #OWN (to suggest #ownvoices), #POC, #LGBT, #DIS (disability), #IMM (immigration), #TV (trans voice), #NV (Native voice), etc. Please make the hashtag abbreviation as clear and straightforward as possible for our agents/editors. For suggestions see our hashtag list.These codes are up to you—we are in no place to judge or police how, or even if, you label your identity or your book. Please remember they are optional. You will not be at a disadvantage if you don’t include them and you are not in any way obligated to disclose any information you do not feel comfortable sharing.Additionally, please refrain from policing the identities of other participants.You are not required to register for this event as Bluesky is an open forum and DVpit cannot moderate or regulate the content others choose to post. But with that in mind, please, be wary of any solicitations from third party websites.Some Pitching Basics Guides
Kat Cho's 2025 Bluesky Thread on pitching basics
Kayla Whaley's 2016 Pitching Guide
Agent Carly Watters' 2014 Pitching Guide
During the event
A like from an agent = a query request
please see each agent's individual submission guidelines before queryingA repost from an editor = interest in submission once you've signed with an agent
these editors do NOT take unagented submissionsA like from an editor = editor who takes unagented submissions
please see each editor's individual submission guidelines before submittingOnly use the #DVpit hashtag in your posted pitch; please don’t use it for anything else on the pitch day, where the focus should be on pitching! If you want to share something else on the hashtag’s feed, please use the hashtag to post those thoughts on days other than the pitch day.How to see your pitchYour post will appear on your profile page and in the #DVpit feed. Use the search bar to find the feed by searching “#DVpit”. You can also find the feed by clicking the hashtag (which should appear like a hyperlink) in your own post. The #DVpit feed is what agents and editors will look through to read everyone’s amazing pitches! Feel free to comment on others’ pitches to encourage them and make friends.How to boost other author's pitchesYou can boost other authors by replying or quote-posting. Please do NOT like or repost, as those actions are reserved for agents and editors and we do not want to confuse participating authors.How to tell who liked or reposted your pitchOn the web browser, if you expand your post, you will see a bar at the bottom showing bold numbers with likes, reposts, and comments. By clicking on the bold number next to reposts or likes, you will see which accounts have liked and reposted your pitch.Note: Not everyone knows the rules, and sometimes you’ll get false alarms. If you get a like or a repost from someone whose Bluesky bio doesn’t indicate they work in publishing, you can ignore their “request” since they did so mistakenly.Receiving a “like” from an editorThere are editors who are able to receive and consider material directly from book creators, without an agent! If you get a like from an editor who is able to consider your material, check out their Bluesky feed, where they should have posted their submission instructions.If you receive a like from an editor at a publisher who did NOT provide submission instructions, they may have also made a mistake, and had meant to repost to simply express their interest.How to pitch artThe mandatory hashtags for #DVart are: #OG = original graphic novel, #PB = Picture book, #WFH = work for hire (i.e. you are looking for commissions). If you are pitching an original graphic novel, you can pitch on both #DVart and #DVpit. If you are pitching an original graphic novel, or a picture book or illustrated novel, for which you are illustrating or have illustrations already, you can include samples of the work as attachments to your post. To attach a photo to your post, find the icon at the bottom of the post box that looks like a mountain range with a sun. You can choose up to 4 images to accompany your text pitch. If you only have the text, please make that clear in your pitch (including something like [text only] should suffice).Those looking for commissions should only pitch on #DVart, and instead of a book pitch, you can pitch yourself as an artist! Tell us about your mediums and style, age groups, etc, and give us samples of your work as attached images. You can also include a link to your online portfolio. Make sure you use the #WFH hashtag!Including images in pitchesWe do not condone the use of images unless they are in the public domain, you own or have received express permission from the copyright holder, or it falls directly under fair use guidelines.IF you are pitching a picture book or graphic novel as an author-only (e.g. just the text manuscript), then we suggest you not use images that you do not have express permission to use from the copyright holder. PB and GN manuscripts can be pitched on their own.But also: consider whether you would even WANT to include an image with your pitch that is not yours! Some agents/editors don’t mind seeing images with pitches, but others do not like it or feel misled.Also, you run the risk of accidentally using AI generated images that you might not realize are AI generated.How many times can I pitch?Each USER is allowed UP TO 6 #DVpit pitches per project, limited to 1 pitch/post per an hour.You don't need to use all 6 opportunities per project. If you have 4 good pitches, that's fine. If you only want to send out 1 pitch—also fine.We recognize that this is confusing, so here are some examples:ex1. You have 1 project to pitch. Options: you could pitch once every other hour over the whole 12-hr period (to equal 6 total pitches); OR pitch once per hour over 3 hours in the morning, and once each hour for 3 hours in the afternoon (to equal 6 total pitches). There will be 6 of the 12 hours during which you cannot pitch in #DVpit at all.ex2. You have 2 #DVpit projects, up to 6 pitches for each. You could alternate pitches for them each hour; OR pitch 1 project over 6 hours in the morning, and the other over 6 hours in the afternoon. In either case, you pitch ONCE per hour, using up to the maximum 6 per project over the 12hr event.ex3. Let's say you have 3 #DVpit projects. You can only pitch once per hour, so you have to divvy up those 12 opportunities to your projects. Options: you could do 6 for project A + 3 each for projects B & C; OR 4 each; OR 2 for project A, 4 for project B, and 6 for project C.Please Note: We are unable to vet all agents, editors, and publishers who participate in this public event. As such, please do your research before submitting to anyone you are not already familiar with. You are not obligated to submit your work to any party who requests it should you not feel comfortable doing so.
Do's & Don't's
to make the most of the event
DO be prepared for the event! Write your pitches ahead of time and we suggest making them all different.DON’T @/tag agents or editors to call attention to your post.DO comment and reply to others’ pitches! This is a great opportunity to network with your fellow participants.DON’T spam the feed! This means: following the rules of participation by posting only the allotted number of times, and don’t use the hashtag unless it’s for a pitch. Now is not the time to advertise your editorial services or etsy store!DO keep close track of your likes.DON’T lose hope if you don’t get as many likes/reposts as you wanted. 300-character-sized pitches are hard, and some books don’t work well with them. You can always cold-query!DO take advantage of all the resources we provide. Check out the dvpit discord and our FAQsDON’T tag the @DVpit account--use the hashtag to pitch or else the agents/editors will not see it in the feed!DO read our entire day-of guide before participating.DON'T use gen-AI for any aspect of this event.A statement about the use of AI
The DVPit committee would like to make our stance clear that we do not support or endorse any manuscripts written by generative AI or any images generated with the use of AI.
FAQ's
IMPORTANT: Unfortunately, the DVpit url has been claimed by an unknown party which is claiming to be us with services that we do not endorse. At this time, please be advised that all the official information for DVpit only comes from this carrd, our Bluesky account (dvpit.bsky.social), or our discord. We are NOT affiliated with Cecil Butler or his payday loansQ: Is the #DVpit pitch event still on twitter or discord?
No. As of 2025, #DVpit event is ONLY hosted on Bluesky.
We ONLY have a social media presence on Bluesky. Any other URLs or social media accounts are not affiliated with us.
(we do still have a community on discord for support & connecting with other writers, but the pitch event is hosted ONLY on Bluesky now)Q: I don’t know if I’m marginalized enough. Should I pitch?
A: We leave this ENTIRELY up to you. We encourage you to reflect on the current conversation in publishing with regard to inclusion and diversity, and understanding the point of #DVpit (to highlight work from creators who have been historically marginalized in book publishing due to their identity and/or condition/situation). We can’t assess your identity for you or tell you how you feel about it. If you meet the criteria, we welcome you to participate.Q: I am marginalized but my characters are not / don’t share the same marginalization. Can I still participate in #DVpit?
A: Yes! Eligibility is based on the writer/illustrator regardless of the characters.Q: Can I write to you about my specific marginalizations and ask for permission to participate?
A: Please don’t. Your marginalizations are yours, and identity is a tricky thing. Outside of bulldozing in knowing you are not eligible per the #DVpit description, it’s up to you.Q: If my protagonist does not share my marginalized identity, can I still pitch it?
A: Absolutely! Because #DVpit is based on the way the creator identifies, it doesn’t matter what the book is about or how your protagonist identifies.Q: What if I am queer but not out? What if I have an invisible disability (including neurodivergence or mental illness)?
A: It’s up to you. You are eligible. It’s your decision if you want to do #DVpit. We don’t ask you to submit proof (and no one should).Q: Where do I post my pitch?
A: We are hosting #DVpit on Bluesky. Please remember to use #DVPit in your pitch so agents and editors can find it in the feed.
Only post your pitches on the date and time of the event found on the About PageQ: How long can my pitch be?
A: All pitches for #DVpit must be one post long on bluesky (e.g. no threads). Which limits all pitches to bluesky’s 300 character limit. This includes all characters–spaces and letters, the required hashtag of #DVPit and any additional hashtags such as #YA #F #LGBT. Please view this list of hashtagsQ: I’m confused about how many times I can pitch. Can you explain?
A: You can pitch up to 6 times per project. This means you can pitch unlimited projects, and for each project, you have up to 6 chances to pitch. Limited to 1 pitch per hour. We encourage you to try out different formats and angles for pitches. It would also be a good idea to spread them out throughout the day.Q: How many total projects can I pitch?
A: You are allowed to pitch as many projects as you want to pitch, but only 6 max pitches per project, and only one pitch may be posted per hour per creatorQ: I am not available on the day of the event. Can I pitch my manuscript some other day?
A: Unfortunately, no. The day and hours for pitches is set to allow our agents and editors to target that time range in their searches for projects. Anything outside the window might be missed, so please check for the date and time of the next DVPit HERE. And follow our guidelines and instructions HEREIf you prefer to schedule your posts during that time, please refer to Bluesky’s partnership with Buffer.Q: Can I add images to my pitch if I am not an illustrator?
A: If you are an author who worked with an illustrator pitching a project where illustrations are part of the project, then yes. (Think illustrated books like picture books, graphic novels, etc.). Other images (including moodboards) should be used at your own discretion, with the caveat that it can look like spam and some agents/editors don’t like it.Q: In my pitch, can I include images/art that are not mine?
A: We do not condone the use of images unless it's public domain, you own or have received express permission from the copyright holder, or it falls directly under fair use guidelines. This includes moodboards. We do not condone the use of AI-generated images. We also encourage you to include alt-text.Q: Can I include a pitch deck or my query as an image attachment to my post?
Please don't. The point of this event is to use the 300 character allowance to give a taste of your book in a quick and concise manner. If people are including their entire query/longer pitches or pitch decks/agent guides as an image, it bogs down the feed and doesn't allow agents to get through as many pitches during the event. We'd like to allow everyone a fair shot at making an impression.Q: My pitch includes illustrations and I want to use Alt Text to make sure all users can enjoy them. Does this count in my character limit?
A: No, it doesn’t. Alt text is encouraged for any images in order to create the most inclusive event possible. They will not count against your character limit. If you are unfamiliar with alt-text, please see this article "Write helpful Alt Text to describe images"Q: How many images can I post if I’m an illustrator and I’m pitching artwork or a graphic novel?
A: You are allowed to post four (4) images per a post if you’re pitching artwork, a picture book or a graphic novel.Q: I’m an author/illustrator, can I pitch a Graphic Novel proposal?
A: Yes, you may. We suggest you use the hashtage #GNQ: Can I pitch a poetry collection?
A: If you have a complete poetry manuscript, please feel free.Q: Can I pitch a novella or short story?
A: Yes, those are acceptable, though you should make it clear in the pitch since most participating agents/editors will assume full-length.Q: Can I pitch an anthology?
A: Yes, you may.Q: What if I have a pitch I know a particular Agent and/or Editor will love? Is it okay to tag them?
A: Sorry, it is not. Please do not tag the agents and/or editors to call attention to your pitch. Allow them to seek out your pitch on their own, as this is what the #DVpit event is about.Q: How will I know who liked my pitch?
A: On the web browser, if you expand your post, you will see a bar at the bottom showing bold numbers with likes, reposts, and comments:By clicking on the bold number next to reposts or likes, you will see which accounts have liked and reposted your pitch.Q: Can I support other pitches?
A: You are welcome to comment or quote post other pitches but you cannot like or repost any pitches. Please leave that to requesting agents and editors!Q: An agent liked my pitch but rejected a previous query. Can I still send them my new query package?
A: If you have revised since they rejected a previous query, most agencies are happy to take a look. Please check their guidelines and then make a decision. If you are doubtful, you can ask the requesting agent by following the instructions below.Q: What do I do if more than one agent from the same agency requests my work?
A: This is specific to each agency. Please follow each agency’s submission instructions in case of a request.Q: How much time can I take between pitching / receiving requests and sending the material, so that I can research agents/editors before submitting or to give my manuscript a final polish?
A: Feel free to take a few weeks. Note that different agents will have different opinions on how long is “too long”, but what is most important is that you have enough time to research your requests and feel confident and comfortable with your submissions. Ideally, if someone was interested enough in your work to request it at the event, they will still be just as excited to read it when it hits their inbox later. That said, if your work is not complete (and we DO ask that you have a complete and ready-to-query work before pitching it), it’s best to wait until the next event. However, if you are just a quick polish away from being ready to submit, feel free to participate and finish up while you also research.Q: Is there an age limit to participate in #DVpit?
A: There is no age limit to participate in #DVpit.Q: How do I view past pitches?
A: Since this is our first year on Bluesky, the only way to see past pitches is by looking up #DVpit on Twitter/X or the #DVPit Discord Archives.Q: I have a great idea for a way to make #DVpit better! Where can I share it?
A: We really appreciate your enthusiasm and commitment to the event! While we welcome feedback, for now we’re busy trying to get this year’s event going. Keep your idea handy (and write it down so you don’t forget), and if it isn’t addressed in the coming months, we look forward to hearing it when we ask for feedback on #DVpit 2025. Also, please make sure that you fully read our DVPit User Guide, as many suggestions are already addressed there!
For Agents & Editors
Q: How do I sign up to participate?
No sign up required! Literary agents and editors are welcome to express their interest in participating in DVpit via their own bluesky or social media accounts.
If you'd like to reach out to DVpit for more information, please feel free to do so on blueskyQ: How do I find pitches?
On the day of the event (date & time can be found here) log onto bluesky and search the hashtag #DVpit.
If you'd like to narrow down your search based on category or genre, include the hashtag for that as well (see our list of suggested hashtags). Please don't forget to always include #DVpit in every search to make sure you're on the correct feed.
(e.g. So if you'd like to see YA science-fiction pitches, you would type into the search bar: #DVPit #YA #SF)Q: How do I indicate that I’m interested in being sent a project?
For Agents and Editors who accept unagented submissions: Please like any pitch you’d like to see in your inbox!For Editors who accept only agented submissions: Please repost any pitch you’d like to receive once an author is agented!Q: Where do I post my submission guidelines?
We encourage any participating agents or editors to post their submission guidelines on bluesky so it’s easier for participants to find with any specific instructions for submitting a DVPit project (e.g. telling participants to include #DVPit in the subject line of their submission)
We also encourage participating agents and editors to pin the post to the top of their feed on the day of the event and for at least a few days after the event ends.
#preDV & #DVParty!
#preDV
Join us for #preDV on Bluesky
on Monday, September 29th, 2025 8AM - 8PM Eastern Time
to practice your pitches!
#DVParty!
Join us for #DVparty on Bluesky
from October 2nd - October 7th 2025
to hype up your project and meet other #DVpit participants!
