Pitchapalooza, aka the American Idol for books (only without Simon) works like this: Anyone with an idea for a book has the chance to pitch it to a panel of judges. But they get only one minute. All attendees come away with concrete advice on how to improve their pitch as well as a greater understanding of the ins and outs of the publishing industry. At the end of each Pitchapalooza, the judges come together to pick a winner. The winner receives an introduction by Eckstut and Sterry to an agent or publisher that is appropriate for their work.