Wednesday, January 14, 2015

The Schwarzschild Radius by Gustavo Florentin & author Guest Post

The Importance of the Pitch by Gustavo Florentin

There is a reason they call it an elevator pitch. If a Hollywood producer asks you in an elevator “So what’s your book about?” and he’s getting off two floors up, you have to be able to give him a compelling, witty and memorable one-liner that will convince him to ask for the manuscript. That’s a tall order and that’s why you have to work hard on it. You’ll be using it to sell your book to an agent, the agent will use it to sell the book to a publisher and the publisher will use it to sell the book to Barnes and Noble, Wal-Mart and other venues.

But before I begin writing a book, an enormous undertaking, I have to pitch the idea to myself. I need one or two sentences that encapsulate the essence of the novel in no more than 30 words. I believe that if you can’t condense the basic idea of your book that succinctly, then you are not clear on the premise. At ThrillerFest, which I attend religiously every July, we got a chance to pitch to professionals before pitching to the agents. I had honed my pitch for The Schwarzschild Radius to:

“A Columbia student descends into the netherworld of runaways and predators to find her sister, who has been abducted by a killer who auctions the deaths of young girls in an eBay of agony.”

Remember I said witty? I pitched this to seven agents and four asked for partials and three asked for the full MS. The “eBay of agony” is not only accurate, it’s also witty, alliterative and memorable. That pitch got me an agent and eventually, a publisher.

About the author:

Gustavo Florentin was born in Queens, New York and received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Polytechnic University of New York. He spent a decade in the defense industry working on the F-14 fighter jet and classified electronics projects. After the fall of the Soviet Union, many thought America wouldn't need weapons anymore, so while others waited for the peace dividend, he moved on to the financial sector in New York where he is currently a network engineer. His passions include violin, travel to exotic places and exploring worldwide conspiracies. He lives in New Jersey where he is working on his third novel. His thriller, In the Talons of the Condor, won the following awards:

WUACADEMIA--Prix d'Or Best Novel
The Verb First Chapter Contest--First Prize
Mount Arrowsmith Best Novel 4th place
The Writing Show--Second Prize best first chapter of a novel.
Second Prize--16th Annual International Latino Book Awards


Title:   The Schwarzschild Radius
Author:  Gustavo Florentin
Published:  September 23/14 by Curiosity Quills Press
Length:  287pgs
Format:  paperback
Genre:  Thriller
Shelf:  review
Rating: ★★★★★

Back Cover Blurb:

Rachel, an 18-year-old Columbia University student descends into the netherworld of runaways and predators to find her sister, Olivia, who has suddenly disappeared. After getting a job in a strip joint where Olivia worked, then doing private shows in the homes of rich clients, Rachel discovers that Olivia has been abducted by a killer who auctions the deaths of young girls in an eBay of agony. As she closes in on the killer who has taken Olivia, Rachel becomes his next target.


My Review:

Florentin has a smooth, easy writing style that allows readers to focus on the plot and the characters. It has a raw, edgy feel to it that heightens the intensity and the depravity found within the story. This novel will definitely evoke strong reactions in the reader as the author delves into some of the darkest aspects of humanity. Yet at the same time, he also shows a hint of light at the end of the tunnel.

The short chapters add to the feeling of fatality throughout the novel. Each episode portrays a different aspect, and they all tie together going toward the end. Florentin jumps from person to person, scene to scene throughout the novel, giving you snipits of each person’s actions, giving you pieces to figure it all out, without ever revealing everything. It was a very unique and engaging approach that made it impossible to put this one down. At the same time, this allowed Florentin to develop his characters in an in-depth yet quick manner that ties directly into the story.

I quite enjoyed getting to know the main character in this novel. I found that she carried her role well and was easy to get to know and understand. At the same time she was a very unique and complex individual that I found myself drawn to. I could understand her motives and she was easy for me to relate to.

This was an absolutely unforgettable story. I’d highly recommend it to those looking for a thrill with some very dark undertones.  


And, be sure to enter the giveaway before you go!




1 comment:

  1. The Schwarzschild Radius sounds like a good thriller. I would enjoy reading this book. Thank you

    ReplyDelete