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 Book Revue 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 contestants that signed up last year. 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.