About the book

The three-word pitch that sold Alien became the inspiration for this practical guide.

Two screenwriters once walked into a Hollywood producer’s office and said three words: “Jaws in space.” That compact pitch helped win them the contract for what became the blockbuster film Alien.

This book takes writers from the essentials of a strong pitch to more advanced strategies for real industry situations, from one-to-one meetings to larger conversations.

Charles Harris explains how pitching works in practice, how to sharpen character and plot, how to clarify what makes a story compelling, and how to perform at your best under pressure.