Pitchapalooza Returning to Book Revue

Some call it the American Idol for books, but for 20 aspiring writers it's a chance at publication.

After making its successful debut last year, Pitchapalooza returns to the in Huntington Dec. 3.

The event, part of a national promotional tour by married couple Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry, the co-authors of the book "The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published: How To Write It, Sell It, and Market It … Successfully," offers one winner an introduction to a literary agent best suited for the genre of their book.

Twenty audience members will be chosen at random from the event's sign-up sheet. Selected, guests have one minute only to pitch ideas to the panel. Two judges will join Ecksut and Sterry on a panel to positively critique topics including idea, style and book sales potential. 

No shortage of original and captivating material was pitched by 25 of the nearly 200 . Ideas ranged from funny to serious, fictional to deeply personal and children's stories to self-help guidebooks. Highlights included Amber Jones' scratch-and-sniff children's book about New York City smells, autistic teenager T.J. Dassua's collection of short stories and Gerald Rosen's personal account of completing a marathon in each state.

The panel selected Suzanne Wells of Kings Park as the winner in 2010. Wells, a personal trainer and freelance writer pitched her book "One Wing-The Book," a personal account of overcoming addiction, divorce and poverty. 

Eckstut, is an author and literary agent at The Levine Greenberg Literary Agency. Sterry is a best-selling author of 12 books on a wide variety of subject including memoir, sports, YA fiction and reference. 

To sign up to pitch, potential authors must purchase a copy of "The Essential Guide To Getting Your Book Published." Along with purchase comes a free 20- minute consultation.