How to Temper the Fear of Dreaded Pitch Meetings

For the first few weeks that I attended pitch meetings at Guideposts magazine, I was a nervous wreck. Every time 10 o’clock on Wednesday morning rolled around, I’d anxiously fidget and crumple the pitch sheet I’d prepared with palms that were already starting to sweat. I preferred to sit in the chair farthest from the table and look down at my now-damp paper, so I wouldn’t be called on. Part of the reason I got so nervous is because of my own introverted self, but the main reason is because as an intern you have an overwhelmingly strong desire to please your editor and any dissatisfaction makes you question yourself and your abilities.