Congratulations to those of you who snagged a spot in our first 25 entry slots. I have posted the entries below for your review and comments. I hope you will take the time to comment on any entries you wish to. Five would be a minimum number to shoot for. If you're pressed for time, please at least leave a comment on the entry directly above and directly below yours.
WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY! UNTIL 6:00 PM CST TODAY!
If, in your mad dash to get your query entry sent, you neglected to include something of critical importance, i.e., word count, genre, etc., please send me an email at michaelvette@gmail.com and ask for the missing element to be included. This is not an opportunity to send a revised query! Only minimal changes will be allowed. Typos will be corrected if you have discovered any after sending your entry. If I have neglected to put a paragraph break in, let me know and I will fix it.
Obviously, I want to give everyone the chance to present the best possible query, since this is such an important competition with such a great prize. I would recommend reviewing your own query first to see if there are any glaring errors or omissions. Then, feel free to spend a little time reviewing others and leaving your helpful comments.
Good luck to all of you! You've made me proud. I have a feeling there may be some future authors among this group.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
ENTRY 25
FRIED LIVER - MG
Dear Mystery Agent:
For the first time since his mom went AWOL, life is looking up for twelve-year-old Mike McTavish. Then chesshead Carma Wagoner fries his liver.
"Fried Liver" is chess speak for attacking your opponent's vital organs. In my 26,000 word manuscript of the same name, that's exactly what happens to Mike and his military dad when they collide with quirky Carma and her hot mama.
Mike's moved more times than he can count, courtesy of the U.S. Air Force. The last move was too much for Mike's mom, who hasn't been heard from in three years. Now the McTavish men have landed in
My work has been published in several magazines, including Highlights for Children, Chess Life for Kids and Story Something. I've also won many writing awards, most notably the 2009 Highlights Fiction Contest. I'm a member of SCBWI.
Thank you for considering FRIED LIVER
.
Sincerely,
ENTRY 24
LURE - YA
Dear Mystery Agent,
Dear Mystery Agent,
Yet another idiotic book has taken over fifteen-year-old Mitch's hometown. Just a craze, he hopes, like last year's obsession with vampires, because Mitch would rather pound a nail through his thumb than read. He's got better things to do, like hang out with Jen, or work on the shelf he’s building for her in his workshop.
But then the people he loves most get sucked into the book. His dad, for instance. Mitch has to pull him out from under a fallen truss while he--and everyone else on the construction site--continues to read. And even when Mitch and Jen realize people are reading themselves to death, Jen succumbs to the book’s mysterious pull. With Jen now under its spell, Mitch is the only one left to find some way to break the obsession...before he loses everyone he loves.
I am a member of SCBWI and the Florida Writers Association. Thank you for your time.
ENTRY 23
MIND CORPS - YA
Dear Mystery Agent,
Sixteen-year-old Colby is on the fast track to becoming America's pre-eminent telepath. Despite the success of his first mission, Colby begins to wonder for the first time in his life why he has been at the Mind Corps since he was a boy. With the Corps distracted by a dangerous new enemy, Darius, whose mind is gaining telepathic abilities on its own, Colby sneaks on to his chief's computer, discovering a government cover-up which reveals the truth about his parents and the lie that was his life in the Corps.
Angry and confused, Colby escapes the Mind Corps. Two year pass, and Colby attempts to live a normal life in the real world, rarely using his abilities out of fear of being found, and promises his girlfriend, Leah, that he will never read her mind. When helping a small girl in public proves to be too much for him to resist, his altruism causes a news scene which finds him in the scope of his former friends in the Mind Corps. But when he finds out that Leah has been cheating on him, all of his restraints on using telepathy for selfish reasons go out the window.
Unfortunately for both Colby and the Mind Corps, Darius has different plans for Colby - whether Colby cooperates or not.
I am seeking representation for my 71,000-word YA science fiction novel, MIND CORPS.
I am more than willing to send a partial or full at your request. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Dear Mystery Agent,
Sixteen-year-old Colby is on the fast track to becoming America's pre-eminent telepath. Despite the success of his first mission, Colby begins to wonder for the first time in his life why he has been at the Mind Corps since he was a boy. With the Corps distracted by a dangerous new enemy, Darius, whose mind is gaining telepathic abilities on its own, Colby sneaks on to his chief's computer, discovering a government cover-up which reveals the truth about his parents and the lie that was his life in the Corps.
Angry and confused, Colby escapes the Mind Corps. Two year pass, and Colby attempts to live a normal life in the real world, rarely using his abilities out of fear of being found, and promises his girlfriend, Leah, that he will never read her mind. When helping a small girl in public proves to be too much for him to resist, his altruism causes a news scene which finds him in the scope of his former friends in the Mind Corps. But when he finds out that Leah has been cheating on him, all of his restraints on using telepathy for selfish reasons go out the window.
Unfortunately for both Colby and the Mind Corps, Darius has different plans for Colby - whether Colby cooperates or not.
I am seeking representation for my 71,000-word YA science fiction novel, MIND CORPS.
I am more than willing to send a partial or full at your request. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
ENTRY 22
ZOMBIE IS AN INFLAMMATORY WORD (
Dear Mystery Agent,
I am seeking representation for my YA novel, ZOMBIE IS AN INFLAMMATORY WORD (
Vera Carnegie’s parents just gave her the biggest news of her life.
Well, sort of. If she had a life. And the news? Vera is totally and completely dead. As in doornail. She has been since age five, when she drowned in a fishing pond and a crazy voodoo guy trapped her soul in a pickle jar. Soon, she’ll stop aging and be stuck forever.
At first, Vera is devastated. But then, in her Mortally Challenged Support Group, she comes to realize that being dead has a couple of perks. Dead people, for example, make great models and
But then Vera realizes that her parents—who aren’t religious or even vaguely spiritual—have accidentally misplaced her soul. Or rather, sold it on EBay. Which is kind of crappy, because the only way Vera’s body will die is if someone releases her soul.
As luck would have it, Vera’s soul sells to her worst enemy—Aldous Loxley, the resident school weirdo. Aldous knows exactly what Vera’s soul is and doesn’t plan on giving it back any time soon. In fact, he has some pretty crazy ideas of his own….
With the help of her new (dead) best friend Melissa and her beautiful but stupid (living) boyfriend Alan, Vera must save her soul—or die. For good this time.
ZOMBIE IS AN INFLAMMATORY WORD (
I currently live in
Thank you so much for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
ENTRY 21
MR. IN-THE-CLOSET - YA
Dear Mystery Agent,
Socially challenged seventeen-year-old Rick Thomas is secretly St. Lawrence High’s favorite advice columnist, Ms. Maypole -- so, he’s popular in a way.
When a question comes from Mr. In-The-Closet, Rick’s relieved to find out he isn’t the only gay in school, but he never would’ve guessed that the sender was his sarcastic, hot math tutor, Callum. Unfortunately, Callum’s so far in the closet he’s in Narnia, and Rick’s finding it hard dragging the kicking and screaming teenager back from the land of denial.
After a tiresome, and sometimes painful, battle against Callum’s argument of ‘I’m not gay’, the two begin a secret relationship. But their secret turns out being more complicated than they’d planned when people become suspicious -- getting caught in a pool with their clothes floating around them doesn’t help -- and Rick can’t stand being second best to Callum’s cover up girlfriend.
He has to make a decision before he goes out of his freaking mind, does he carry on being Callum’s dirty little secret or follow his own advice and kick Callum to the curb? A spur of the moment article coming out to the rest of the school about his sexuality when he and Callum have a fight probably isn’t his brightest idea ever, but he’s sick of hiding, and he has to know where he stands.
I am seeking representation for MR. IN-THE-CLOSET, a 55,000 words young adult novel. My credentials include three short stories published in online magazines. Thank you for your consideration.
Dear Mystery Agent,
Socially challenged seventeen-year-old Rick Thomas is secretly St. Lawrence High’s favorite advice columnist, Ms. Maypole -- so, he’s popular in a way.
When a question comes from Mr. In-The-Closet, Rick’s relieved to find out he isn’t the only gay in school, but he never would’ve guessed that the sender was his sarcastic, hot math tutor, Callum. Unfortunately, Callum’s so far in the closet he’s in Narnia, and Rick’s finding it hard dragging the kicking and screaming teenager back from the land of denial.
After a tiresome, and sometimes painful, battle against Callum’s argument of ‘I’m not gay’, the two begin a secret relationship. But their secret turns out being more complicated than they’d planned when people become suspicious -- getting caught in a pool with their clothes floating around them doesn’t help -- and Rick can’t stand being second best to Callum’s cover up girlfriend.
He has to make a decision before he goes out of his freaking mind, does he carry on being Callum’s dirty little secret or follow his own advice and kick Callum to the curb? A spur of the moment article coming out to the rest of the school about his sexuality when he and Callum have a fight probably isn’t his brightest idea ever, but he’s sick of hiding, and he has to know where he stands.
I am seeking representation for MR. IN-THE-CLOSET, a 55,000 words young adult novel. My credentials include three short stories published in online magazines. Thank you for your consideration.
ENTRY 20
PREDETERMINED - YA
Dear Mystery Agent:
Tequila always causes sixteen-year-old Thea Reed to throw up. But this is the first time it’s caused her to throw a man across a car park.
Thea learns that triple-distilling her brain and putting herself in danger kick-started her latent telekinetic abilities. If only she hadn’t started on the shots.
Sent to boarding school to learn control of her ability, Thea falls for a flirty mind reader, becomes the target of a deranged scientist and has to deal with her own personal demons. It’s no wonder she needs the support of her liquid crutch.
But when Thea’s father is kidnapped, she realises that tequila and abilities don’t mix. To rescue him she must face up to her responsibilities for once, even if the cost is her life.
PREDETERMINED is a Young Adult Urban Fantasy, complete at 78,000 words.
The story is set in the
I recently attended the Backspace Agent/Author conference and I am an active member of SCBWI. A synopsis and the manuscript are available on request. Many thanks for taking the time to consider my work.
Sincerely
ENTRY 19
ELLIE AND THE FUGITIVE FAIRY - MG
Dear Mystery Agent,
Stubbornly independent twelve-year-old Ellie must stop her parents selling her beloved Strawberry Fields Farm. She also has to figure out what to do about Joy, an argumentative, smelly fairy she accidentally caught and now can't shake off. In fact, it's hard to know which is her biggest problem: keeping track of a lying fairy who'll eat anything not nailed to the floor, coming up with a plan to save the home she loves or learning to accept help gracefully, because without it, she's sunk.
When Ellie jumped for joy that first morning of summer vacation, she had no idea that she would actually catch it. Now she’s stuck with a grubby-faced, rubber-booted, wise-ass fairy who insists that yes, he really is named Joy and would she go get him some soup before he keels over. He also tells her he’s not going anywhere until and unless he earns his freedom by doing her a great service. Thing is, Ellie could use some help. Her parents have decided to give up on their dream, sell Strawberry Fields Farm and move the family back to New York. Ellie is not about to let that happen and, whether or not she wants to admit it, she can’t do it alone. Helped by her melodramatic older sister Nan, her best friend George and a fugitive fairy around whom no cake is safe, Ellie sets out to take the local Strawberry Fair by storm – and to convince the fairy queen to pardon Joy. If that really is his name.
ELLIE AND THE FUGITIVE FAIRY is complete at 48000 words. The blend of ordinary kids, normal life and magic would appeal to fans of Bruce Coville’s Magic Shop series, Sally Gardner’s Lucy Willow or Ingrid Law’s Savvy, as well as to admirers of Diana Wynne Jones’ writing.
I have been working as a technical writer and editor since returning to the United States nine years ago. Before that, I was a regular contributor to the Egyptian English-language monthly Egypt Today and a playwright with my own experimental theater group. I recently had a story published in the Canadian children’s magazine Crow Toes Quarterly and am an active member of SCBWI.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Dear Mystery Agent,
Stubbornly independent twelve-year-old Ellie must stop her parents selling her beloved Strawberry Fields Farm. She also has to figure out what to do about Joy, an argumentative, smelly fairy she accidentally caught and now can't shake off. In fact, it's hard to know which is her biggest problem: keeping track of a lying fairy who'll eat anything not nailed to the floor, coming up with a plan to save the home she loves or learning to accept help gracefully, because without it, she's sunk.
When Ellie jumped for joy that first morning of summer vacation, she had no idea that she would actually catch it. Now she’s stuck with a grubby-faced, rubber-booted, wise-ass fairy who insists that yes, he really is named Joy and would she go get him some soup before he keels over. He also tells her he’s not going anywhere until and unless he earns his freedom by doing her a great service. Thing is, Ellie could use some help. Her parents have decided to give up on their dream, sell Strawberry Fields Farm and move the family back to New York. Ellie is not about to let that happen and, whether or not she wants to admit it, she can’t do it alone. Helped by her melodramatic older sister Nan, her best friend George and a fugitive fairy around whom no cake is safe, Ellie sets out to take the local Strawberry Fair by storm – and to convince the fairy queen to pardon Joy. If that really is his name.
ELLIE AND THE FUGITIVE FAIRY is complete at 48000 words. The blend of ordinary kids, normal life and magic would appeal to fans of Bruce Coville’s Magic Shop series, Sally Gardner’s Lucy Willow or Ingrid Law’s Savvy, as well as to admirers of Diana Wynne Jones’ writing.
I have been working as a technical writer and editor since returning to the United States nine years ago. Before that, I was a regular contributor to the Egyptian English-language monthly Egypt Today and a playwright with my own experimental theater group. I recently had a story published in the Canadian children’s magazine Crow Toes Quarterly and am an active member of SCBWI.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
ENTRY 18
THE EXILED - YA
Dear Mystery Agent:
Puppet Masters are after seventeen-year-old Brianna Ridley. But they don’t want her for a puppet, they want her to help turn Earth into their own personal playground.
Brianna always knew she was special--a Halfling, born of a human and an exiled angel. And until recently that never mattered much, until her mother’s people start dying under mysterious reasons and an enemy from her mother’s past comes looking for her. Brianna is rushed halfway across the world to a village in a hidden reality.
Not knowing the reasons behind the abrupt move and unhappy with the decision, she makes living with her Protector--the incredibly sexy but infuriating exiled angel, Patrick--exasperating. But when the puppet masters find her and start turning other people to get to her, Patrick is forced to tell her the truth. She knows the only way to stop them, is to destroy them and turns to him for help. After all who else would be better to fight than an angel from God’s own army. But the more she trains the more attracted to him she becomes and she realizes it isn’t just her life and soul on the line, but also her heart.
THE EXILED is a paranormal young adult novel, complete at 90,000 words.
I am an active member of the RWA and the CFRW.
Thank you for your generous time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
ENTRY 17
WHEN THE TIGER SMILES - YA
Dear Mystery Agent,
By the time sixteen-year-old Emma Riley realizes her life is in peril, she’s at the bottom of a canyon two thousand miles from home.
Like any self-respecting overachiever, Emma is thrilled when she’s invited to attend a small private school a few weeks into her junior year. She was recently dumped by her boyfriend (for her ex-best friend) and she’s ready for a change. The recruiter from Desert Mountain Academy is convinced of Emma’s aptitude, though he’s evasive about the exact qualities that make her a desirable candidate. He also fails to mention one pertinent detail about her new school: it’s a training facility for future intelligence operatives. Emma quickly suspects as much when classes include cryptography, document forgery, and serious instruction in martial arts. Despite the intimidating curriculum, she’s determined to make the most of her opportunity. Unfortunately, Emma renders herself unconscious with a tranquilizer gun on her first field trip—not the great start she was hoping for.
Her situation worsens when the students learn that a double agent has infiltrated the school. As it turns out, the girl Emma replaced didn’t die in a car accident—she was murdered. The administration quietly suspects Emma: she is the new transfer. Did she kill someone to secure her own position at the Academy? Emma discovers she’s under investigation after she catches her gorgeous and popular new boyfriend, Jack Cavanaugh, breaking into her room. She finds out that the academically-driven senior was assigned to spy on her and that he has found evidence implicating her as the double agent.
Emma is being framed, and she’s desperate to clear her name. It will take all of her courage and intellect to unmask the traitor who threatens the integrity of this elite CIA training program. The real double agent will stop at nothing to protect his or her identity—including an attempt on Emma’s life.
WHEN THE TIGER SMILES is a young adult suspense novel, complete at 85,000 words. The story is set near Phoenix, Arizona and takes place over the course of one semester. My own training in martial arts and outdoor survival lend authenticity to Emma’s experiences. My writings garnered first place in a scholarship contest and received honorable mention in the 2008 Writer’s Digest 77th Annual Writing Competition.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Dear Mystery Agent,
By the time sixteen-year-old Emma Riley realizes her life is in peril, she’s at the bottom of a canyon two thousand miles from home.
Like any self-respecting overachiever, Emma is thrilled when she’s invited to attend a small private school a few weeks into her junior year. She was recently dumped by her boyfriend (for her ex-best friend) and she’s ready for a change. The recruiter from Desert Mountain Academy is convinced of Emma’s aptitude, though he’s evasive about the exact qualities that make her a desirable candidate. He also fails to mention one pertinent detail about her new school: it’s a training facility for future intelligence operatives. Emma quickly suspects as much when classes include cryptography, document forgery, and serious instruction in martial arts. Despite the intimidating curriculum, she’s determined to make the most of her opportunity. Unfortunately, Emma renders herself unconscious with a tranquilizer gun on her first field trip—not the great start she was hoping for.
Her situation worsens when the students learn that a double agent has infiltrated the school. As it turns out, the girl Emma replaced didn’t die in a car accident—she was murdered. The administration quietly suspects Emma: she is the new transfer. Did she kill someone to secure her own position at the Academy? Emma discovers she’s under investigation after she catches her gorgeous and popular new boyfriend, Jack Cavanaugh, breaking into her room. She finds out that the academically-driven senior was assigned to spy on her and that he has found evidence implicating her as the double agent.
Emma is being framed, and she’s desperate to clear her name. It will take all of her courage and intellect to unmask the traitor who threatens the integrity of this elite CIA training program. The real double agent will stop at nothing to protect his or her identity—including an attempt on Emma’s life.
WHEN THE TIGER SMILES is a young adult suspense novel, complete at 85,000 words. The story is set near Phoenix, Arizona and takes place over the course of one semester. My own training in martial arts and outdoor survival lend authenticity to Emma’s experiences. My writings garnered first place in a scholarship contest and received honorable mention in the 2008 Writer’s Digest 77th Annual Writing Competition.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
ENTRY 16
BOOMERANG - MG
Dear Mystery Agent:
Nine-year-old Joseph’s little sisters ruin everything. They steal his stuff. Whatever they can’t break gets covered in drool. Even when they start the fight, it’s Joseph who gets in trouble.
All he wants is one thing of his own, one thing that’s his to keep. When he rescues a stray dog from drowning, he thinks his wish has come true. Boomerang is big and friendly and full of energy, the best friend a boy could ask for.
Too bad his parents don’t agree. They plan to get rid of Boomerang as soon as they can find him a new home. Joseph doesn’t have much time to change their minds, but he’ll do whatever it takes--even if it means sharing Boomerang with his sisters.
BOOMERANG is an early middle-grade novel complete at 27,000 words.
ENTRY 15
THE CULT KING - YA
Dear Mystery Agent,
Aubrey wants to know exactly when her mother planned to tell her.
Aubrey is actually an Elf Heiress. There’s a magical world intertwined with the human world. Aubrey’s mom put the family in hiding to protect them from a power-hungry cult leader.
A lot of good that did. The cult leader’s minions found and captured Aubrey’s entire family. Now Aubrey is on a rescue mission with the only group that would help her, Elliott and his Harley-riding guardians. Elliott takes personal pleasure in making Aubrey feel like a child. But, she has bigger problems than Elliott, like trying to stay alive.
Aubrey battles the cult leader and his members to save her family. She hopes that her crash course in Elf magic is enough to get her family back alive.
THE CULT KING is complete at 73,000 words. I have a degree in English and History.
Dear Mystery Agent,
Aubrey wants to know exactly when her mother planned to tell her.
Aubrey is actually an Elf Heiress. There’s a magical world intertwined with the human world. Aubrey’s mom put the family in hiding to protect them from a power-hungry cult leader.
A lot of good that did. The cult leader’s minions found and captured Aubrey’s entire family. Now Aubrey is on a rescue mission with the only group that would help her, Elliott and his Harley-riding guardians. Elliott takes personal pleasure in making Aubrey feel like a child. But, she has bigger problems than Elliott, like trying to stay alive.
Aubrey battles the cult leader and his members to save her family. She hopes that her crash course in Elf magic is enough to get her family back alive.
THE CULT KING is complete at 73,000 words. I have a degree in English and History.
ENTRY 14
BEING BOMPSY CARLEFFA - YA
Dear Mystery Agent,
After an unknown stranger kidnaps fifteen-year-old Ben, he learns he’s the stolen son of a wealthy crime boss and enters a new and terrifying world. Ben must deal with issues such as body parts peeking out of the lawn, threats to and from other mobsters, and his guilt over being used as a mob pawn when he causes the death of two innocent people.
Ultimately, Ben escapes his crime family but on his journey gains insights, which force him to confront the people he’s running from. He eventually meets up with his girlfriend and a nerdy cohort who had been playing detective while putting themselves in jeopardy to find him. But, Ben seeks what’s most important when he risks his skin by leaving his friends to return to the people he runs from. Will a reunion at his father’s mansion prove deadly?
My 67,000-word completed YA novel, BEING BOMPSY CARLEFFA, mixes humor as found in Korman’s, “Son of the Mob,” with the excitement of Haddix’s “Shadow Children” series. I teach writing and other subjects to intellectually gifted students, am active in SCBWI, and recently completed an online course through The Institute for Children’s Literature. Thank you for your time and attention in considering BEING BOMPSY CARLEFFA, which is a multiple submission. I look forward to hearing from you.
ENTRY 13
FIREFLIES - MG
Dear Mystery Agent,
Twelve-year-old Fiona Hartwell is obsessed with three things: fireflies, ghost hunting, and not dealing with her brother Troy's traumatic brain injury.
When Troy was hurt, the Hartwells moved to Fiona's aunt's inn, hoping that a handicap-ready room on the first floor would help with his recovery. But Fiona wants nothing to do with Troy's recovery. She hates watching him learn to walk, learn to eat, learn to do everything. She just wants him to be her strong, older brother again. She escapes to the duck pond every day, ignoring Troy's requests to take him out with her, until a never-ending rainstorm traps her indoors.
She finds distraction and comfort in the ghost story she's made up about the inn. Soon, Fiona's sneaking out of her room each night to wander the halls, searching for the ghost girl she believes is trapped on the inaccessible third floor. She's heard that fireflies symbolize souls going to heaven, and Fiona wants to set this firefly free. But her choice to focus on the ghost instead of Troy might put both of them in danger.
FIREFLIES is a 30,000-word literary MG novel about a girl who wishes it was a paranormal novel instead. At your request, I'm prepared to send the completed manuscript. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Dear Mystery Agent,
Twelve-year-old Fiona Hartwell is obsessed with three things: fireflies, ghost hunting, and not dealing with her brother Troy's traumatic brain injury.
When Troy was hurt, the Hartwells moved to Fiona's aunt's inn, hoping that a handicap-ready room on the first floor would help with his recovery. But Fiona wants nothing to do with Troy's recovery. She hates watching him learn to walk, learn to eat, learn to do everything. She just wants him to be her strong, older brother again. She escapes to the duck pond every day, ignoring Troy's requests to take him out with her, until a never-ending rainstorm traps her indoors.
She finds distraction and comfort in the ghost story she's made up about the inn. Soon, Fiona's sneaking out of her room each night to wander the halls, searching for the ghost girl she believes is trapped on the inaccessible third floor. She's heard that fireflies symbolize souls going to heaven, and Fiona wants to set this firefly free. But her choice to focus on the ghost instead of Troy might put both of them in danger.
FIREFLIES is a 30,000-word literary MG novel about a girl who wishes it was a paranormal novel instead. At your request, I'm prepared to send the completed manuscript. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
ENTRY 12
GRIZZLY KID - MG
Dear Mystery Agent:
Eleven-year-old Tyson Driggs used to go on all kinds of adventures
with his best friend, from sledding to shooting at the range to prune
juice drinking contests. They had promised each other that they would
go up to Wyoming and kill a big seven-point elk this season, but when
one of their adventures lands them in trouble with the police, Tyson's
parents stick his best friend in a nursing home.
His best friend is his seventy-six-year-old gramps.
Everyone tells Tyson that his gramps has an overactive imagination and
a taste for danger... and that's exactly what Tyson loves about him.
In the nursing home, his gramps asks Tyson to go on one more adventure
together: bust him out of there so they can go kill that elk. But
when Tyson discovers the actual reason he's in the nursing home, the
adventure turns risky for real. His gramp's health is failing, but
how can Tyson say no to his best friend?
GRIZZLY KID is a middle-grade novel complete at 40,000 words. The
manuscript is available upon request. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
ENTRY 11
TEMPEST'S CURSE - YA
Dear Mystery Agent:
Sixteen-year-old Janelle never thinks the gray spiral birthmark on her arm means anything until she rides out a hurricane in her new Florida home. As the storm dies, a teenage boy with the same mark appears out of thin air. But all he tells her is his name, Gary, before running away.
Soon, Janelle begins hearing a roar in her head whenever she’s near the ocean and her strength grows until she can rip doors off their hinges. Desperate for answers, she finds Gary and squeezes the truth from him. She bears the mark of a Tempest, someone who can turn into a hurricane by touching the ocean. By law, they must become storms once in their lives to keep the world’s weather in balance.
Janelle’s terrified to learn that that she’s next in line to fulfill her Tempest duty. She confronts her dad with the truth, only to find that he’ll make her obey the law and transform. But she’s not crazy about killing people, even by accident, so she goes on the run.
It’s not long before the human-hating Tempest leader kidnaps her. Janelle then hears that she’s the strongest Tempest alive and will be brainwashed to destroy a major city. Now trapped in a plot to hold the world ransom, she must use the power she fears most to escape.
TEMPEST’S CURSE is a 65,000 word young adult fantasy. I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Dear Mystery Agent:
Sixteen-year-old Janelle never thinks the gray spiral birthmark on her arm means anything until she rides out a hurricane in her new Florida home. As the storm dies, a teenage boy with the same mark appears out of thin air. But all he tells her is his name, Gary, before running away.
Soon, Janelle begins hearing a roar in her head whenever she’s near the ocean and her strength grows until she can rip doors off their hinges. Desperate for answers, she finds Gary and squeezes the truth from him. She bears the mark of a Tempest, someone who can turn into a hurricane by touching the ocean. By law, they must become storms once in their lives to keep the world’s weather in balance.
Janelle’s terrified to learn that that she’s next in line to fulfill her Tempest duty. She confronts her dad with the truth, only to find that he’ll make her obey the law and transform. But she’s not crazy about killing people, even by accident, so she goes on the run.
It’s not long before the human-hating Tempest leader kidnaps her. Janelle then hears that she’s the strongest Tempest alive and will be brainwashed to destroy a major city. Now trapped in a plot to hold the world ransom, she must use the power she fears most to escape.
TEMPEST’S CURSE is a 65,000 word young adult fantasy. I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
ENTRY 10
DREAMING
Dear Mystery Agent:
Seventeen-year-old
As Dane teaches
Isis powers give her the ability to end the conflict and stop the killing once and for all, but she must choose between fighting for the good of all mankind or saving her cousin, a choice no ordinary girl should make. Good thing Isis is anything but ordinary.
DREAMING ISIS, a young adult fantasy novel is complete at 65,000 words. It will appeal to readers who loved the fast paced fun of the GHALLAGHER GIRL BOOKS as well as those who enjoyed the paranormal romance elements of TWILIGHT.
I am a graduate of
Sincerely,
ENTRY 9
ALL IN – YA
Dear Mystery Agent:
All-state soccer player by day, environmental activist (or domestic terrorist, depending on who’s counting) by night, eighteen-year-old Robert is primed to take on his biggest target yet. That is, until he accidentally impales himself on a rebar before the demonstration even begins.
Suspended between this world and the next, Robert fears he’s doomed to wander aimlessly among the living. But then he happens upon Kate, another straggler who’s totally pissed that she has to spend eternity in her homecoming gown and heels.
Together they learn that a simple typo has cost them their lives prematurely. Since they were actually destined to be soul mates they’re permitted to return to life, but there’s a catch: During their twenty-four-hour reprieve they must fall in love or at least one of them will face death again. And this time, there won’t be any do-overs.
Robert doesn’t believe he could fall in love if given an entire lifetime, much less a day and Kate’s not exactly optimistic, either. But they’ll each have to get over their skepticism and ignore the temptation to spend their last 24-hours just tying up loose ends or risk their second chance at life.
My young adult novel ALL IN is a re-imagining of Sartre’s Les Jeux Sont Faits and is complete at 45,000 words. I’m currently finishing my MFA in creative writing.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best,
Dear Mystery Agent:
All-state soccer player by day, environmental activist (or domestic terrorist, depending on who’s counting) by night, eighteen-year-old Robert is primed to take on his biggest target yet. That is, until he accidentally impales himself on a rebar before the demonstration even begins.
Suspended between this world and the next, Robert fears he’s doomed to wander aimlessly among the living. But then he happens upon Kate, another straggler who’s totally pissed that she has to spend eternity in her homecoming gown and heels.
Together they learn that a simple typo has cost them their lives prematurely. Since they were actually destined to be soul mates they’re permitted to return to life, but there’s a catch: During their twenty-four-hour reprieve they must fall in love or at least one of them will face death again. And this time, there won’t be any do-overs.
Robert doesn’t believe he could fall in love if given an entire lifetime, much less a day and Kate’s not exactly optimistic, either. But they’ll each have to get over their skepticism and ignore the temptation to spend their last 24-hours just tying up loose ends or risk their second chance at life.
My young adult novel ALL IN is a re-imagining of Sartre’s Les Jeux Sont Faits and is complete at 45,000 words. I’m currently finishing my MFA in creative writing.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best,
ENTRY 8
SMOOCH - YA
Dear Mystery Agent:
Sixteen-year-old Haley is ready for true love--but Biology comes first.
When Haley decides to dissect a frog rather than stick to her beliefs
and have her grades suffer, the pro-animal teacher deems a
magical punishment. The teacher isn't going to let Haley get away with the
immoral choices she makes in favor of academic pursuits.
With a sprinkle of eraser shavings, the teacher turns Haley into a
frog, and seals her fate: dissection.
Haley's new gig as an evening frog isn't so convenient for her social life.
She really can't explain to her sister why she wanders off each evening
and comes home naked and reeking of swampy water. Haley can't
tell her almost-girlfriend, either, why she refuses to go on evening
dates, even though she desperately wants to. But she can't help
it--each day at four o' clock, Haley turns into a frog. Just like the
frog in the fairy tale, she's going to spend each night enchanted,
unless she can convince her frog-phobic princess to kiss her. Of
course, if the spell lasts too long, she's going to be the one on the
dissecting table.
SMOOCH is a young adult novel complete at 48,000 words. I would
be glad to send SMOOCH upon request. Thank you for your time.
Best,
Dear Mystery Agent:
Sixteen-year-old Haley is ready for true love--but Biology comes first.
When Haley decides to dissect a frog rather than stick to her beliefs
and have her grades suffer, the pro-animal teacher deems a
magical punishment. The teacher isn't going to let Haley get away with the
immoral choices she makes in favor of academic pursuits.
With a sprinkle of eraser shavings, the teacher turns Haley into a
frog, and seals her fate: dissection.
Haley's new gig as an evening frog isn't so convenient for her social life.
She really can't explain to her sister why she wanders off each evening
and comes home naked and reeking of swampy water. Haley can't
tell her almost-girlfriend, either, why she refuses to go on evening
dates, even though she desperately wants to. But she can't help
it--each day at four o' clock, Haley turns into a frog. Just like the
frog in the fairy tale, she's going to spend each night enchanted,
unless she can convince her frog-phobic princess to kiss her. Of
course, if the spell lasts too long, she's going to be the one on the
dissecting table.
SMOOCH is a young adult novel complete at 48,000 words. I would
be glad to send SMOOCH upon request. Thank you for your time.
Best,
ENTRY 7
Dear Mystery Agent:
For fourteen-year-old Chester Jones, attending a magic fat camp seriously sucks. So what if the outhouses clean themselves, rowboats fly, and sprites get drunk on Listerine?
Thank you so much for taking the time to judge this contest.
Sincerely,
ENTRY 6
EMMY & LULU - Lower MG
Dear Mystery Agent:
Emmy's very nearly ten years old. And being so close to ten means that she knows about everything—at least that's what little sister Lulu thinks. Unfortunately for Lulu, Emmy's not always the best role model. Maybe it wasn't Emmy's best idea to hide the sleeping passengers' shoes on the flight to
Lulu says she's tired of Emmy getting her in trouble. In fact, Lulu's mad and she's not talking to Emmy any more. Emmy can't stand it when Lulu's angry with her. Life can get lonely without her super-accomplice, so Emmy's hatched a plan to win her sister back.
EMMY
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
ENTRY 5
SORREL
Dear Mystery Agent,
Vicious, omniverous creatures are infesting the
That’s the story of “Sorrel and the Green Menace,” a young adult novel of 83,250 words, the first in a trilogy.
I’ve won half a dozen awards for speculative short stories. Now I have started to submit for publication, with two acceptances so far in anthologies, notably “Festive Fear” by Tasmaniac publications celebrating the horror that is Christmas - I love a nice bit of horror. I review for the monthly newsletter Aurealis Online, a flagship Australian SF&F magazine, and this year I’ll be doing a review column for the print Aurealis as well.
I’d be happy to send a partial or full copy of “Sorrel” if required.
Thanks!
ENTRY 4
BLACKBERRY SUMMER - YA
Dear Mystery Agent:
When fifteen-year-old, Los Angeles bred Shelby Brockhurst meets her clodhopper relatives for the first time, she understands why her mom tried to keep them a secret. Shelby’s grandparents only have running water when you move the pump handle, and her cousins are complete barbarians, especially the twins, with their gross preoccupation with bologna rinds and dog butts. Throw in a wild mountain boy by the name of Eddie Pickens, and Shelby begins to wonder why any sane person would stay here.
But as the summer progresses, Shelby discovers the love that holds this family together, and the pain her mother’s leaving caused. She also finds Eddie has a way of making her heart do a crazy little happy dance every time he comes near.
With the questionable assistance of her hayseed cousins, Shelby devises a plan to reunite her mom with her family. Her grandfather doesn’t realize he’s helping; he’s too busy looking for his imaginary pigs. If Shelby’s plan doesn’t work, she may never see her relatives, or Eddie, again. That would be worse than, well, than locking the barn door after the cows get out.
Blackberry Summer is a 72,000 word YA novel.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Dear Mystery Agent:
When fifteen-year-old, Los Angeles bred Shelby Brockhurst meets her clodhopper relatives for the first time, she understands why her mom tried to keep them a secret. Shelby’s grandparents only have running water when you move the pump handle, and her cousins are complete barbarians, especially the twins, with their gross preoccupation with bologna rinds and dog butts. Throw in a wild mountain boy by the name of Eddie Pickens, and Shelby begins to wonder why any sane person would stay here.
But as the summer progresses, Shelby discovers the love that holds this family together, and the pain her mother’s leaving caused. She also finds Eddie has a way of making her heart do a crazy little happy dance every time he comes near.
With the questionable assistance of her hayseed cousins, Shelby devises a plan to reunite her mom with her family. Her grandfather doesn’t realize he’s helping; he’s too busy looking for his imaginary pigs. If Shelby’s plan doesn’t work, she may never see her relatives, or Eddie, again. That would be worse than, well, than locking the barn door after the cows get out.
Blackberry Summer is a 72,000 word YA novel.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
ENTRY 3
COMPULSION - YA
Dear Mystery Agent,
Sixteen-year-old Maria is addicted to memory-loss magic. Shattered from grief over her fairy mother’s death, Maria sees no other way to cope with life’s problems: she swallows memory-loss magic and forgets. However, an addiction to forgetting is more dangerous than she realizes. Her forgotten past holds a terrible secret that could potentially destroy her future. From childhood, Maria has been promised to the Second Vampire Aleron, the insidiously evil shadow king to all vampires, witches and shifters. Aleron covets Maria for one reason: she unknowingly possesses the fairy power to revive the dead. If Aleron gains control over this power, the world will be destroyed.
Maria wants to stay far away from Aleron, but her addiction to memory-loss magic hides an even deadlier secret. She also unknowingly possesses the fairy power to compel ardent love by shedding blood. By accident, she has compelled her human best friend Chris. Whereas Maria cannot remember their love, Chris cannot forget. In his blind adoration, he will follow her anywhere, even into the depths of the supernatural world. To save him, Maria will have to surrender her powers to Aleron, to the cost of her soul, and the world.
COMPULSION is a complete 78000-word young adult urban fantasy novel, set in the sprawling multicultural suburbia of Sydney, Australia. Narrated in Maria’s flawed but candid perspective, COMPULSION will appeal to fans of Rachel Caine and Cassandra Clare.
Dear Mystery Agent,
Sixteen-year-old Maria is addicted to memory-loss magic. Shattered from grief over her fairy mother’s death, Maria sees no other way to cope with life’s problems: she swallows memory-loss magic and forgets. However, an addiction to forgetting is more dangerous than she realizes. Her forgotten past holds a terrible secret that could potentially destroy her future. From childhood, Maria has been promised to the Second Vampire Aleron, the insidiously evil shadow king to all vampires, witches and shifters. Aleron covets Maria for one reason: she unknowingly possesses the fairy power to revive the dead. If Aleron gains control over this power, the world will be destroyed.
Maria wants to stay far away from Aleron, but her addiction to memory-loss magic hides an even deadlier secret. She also unknowingly possesses the fairy power to compel ardent love by shedding blood. By accident, she has compelled her human best friend Chris. Whereas Maria cannot remember their love, Chris cannot forget. In his blind adoration, he will follow her anywhere, even into the depths of the supernatural world. To save him, Maria will have to surrender her powers to Aleron, to the cost of her soul, and the world.
COMPULSION is a complete 78000-word young adult urban fantasy novel, set in the sprawling multicultural suburbia of Sydney, Australia. Narrated in Maria’s flawed but candid perspective, COMPULSION will appeal to fans of Rachel Caine and Cassandra Clare.
ENTRY 2
AMERAL - YA
Dear Mystery Agent:
Eighteen year-old Megan Harper doesn’t know it yet, but she has the power to look into someone’s eyes and see what they’re thinking quicker than they’ve even thought it. She can see what they’ve done and what they’ve forgotten - or tried to forget. The wizard Zender knows what she is and has colluded with the other wizards to keep Megan isolated and controlled in the castle Serenae since she was a little girl. A spell cast on the castle blocks Megan’s power and if Zender keeps her there long enough, her power will be his. When Zender manipulates Megan by making her his apprentice, she discovers that he is only pretending to teach her and tries to leave. Zender threatens to kill her if she ever does. Scared, but determined, Megan escapes.
But outside is dangerous. The wizards hold sway over the Trucenian King and control the Trucenian army. They lend their power to the Northern Emperor, allowing him to enslave the Northern people. Now everyone is after Megan: Zender, Trucenian soldiers, Northern assassins, even the criminals of the Ferra underground. On top of that she has to contend with a power that she never knew she had, and it's going to kill her unless she learns how to control it, fast. The only person she can trust is a Northern warrior named Darsk who hates the wizards for the slavery of his people. Megan is Ameral - the wizard’s sworn enemy and the only one with the power to end their tyranny - and they aren’t going to let her leave alive.
AMERAL is a 65,000 word young adult novel.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Dear Mystery Agent:
Eighteen year-old Megan Harper doesn’t know it yet, but she has the power to look into someone’s eyes and see what they’re thinking quicker than they’ve even thought it. She can see what they’ve done and what they’ve forgotten - or tried to forget. The wizard Zender knows what she is and has colluded with the other wizards to keep Megan isolated and controlled in the castle Serenae since she was a little girl. A spell cast on the castle blocks Megan’s power and if Zender keeps her there long enough, her power will be his. When Zender manipulates Megan by making her his apprentice, she discovers that he is only pretending to teach her and tries to leave. Zender threatens to kill her if she ever does. Scared, but determined, Megan escapes.
But outside is dangerous. The wizards hold sway over the Trucenian King and control the Trucenian army. They lend their power to the Northern Emperor, allowing him to enslave the Northern people. Now everyone is after Megan: Zender, Trucenian soldiers, Northern assassins, even the criminals of the Ferra underground. On top of that she has to contend with a power that she never knew she had, and it's going to kill her unless she learns how to control it, fast. The only person she can trust is a Northern warrior named Darsk who hates the wizards for the slavery of his people. Megan is Ameral - the wizard’s sworn enemy and the only one with the power to end their tyranny - and they aren’t going to let her leave alive.
AMERAL is a 65,000 word young adult novel.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
ENTRY 1
MOLLY GUMNUT RESCUES A BANDICOOT - MG
Dear Mystery Agent,
Molly Mavis Gumnut adores all animals, but not when they’re bad. When her neighbour’s cat attacks a baby bandicoot, eight-year old Molly rescues the tiny creature and takes it home to bandage its wounds. She falls in love with the long-nosed critter she names Furble, but Daddy says it’s illegal to keep a bandicoot as a pet.
Molly has no choice. She doesn’t want to go to jail, so she hands Furble over to her grandmother, a member of a wildlife rescue. Grandma promises to let Furble get better before she releases him back to his territory. But that’s where the big, mean cat lives. Molly can’t let Furble get hurt again. There’s only one solution: Molly kidnaps Furble and takes him on a journey to find him a safer home. Trouble is, now Furble is in even more danger, and so is Molly.
MOLLY GUMNUT RESCUES A BANDICOOT is a completed 32,000 word MG adventure novel.
I’m an active member of a wildlife rescue in
Thank you for your time and consideration. My full manuscript is available upon request.
Sincerely,
Contest entries are closed.
We have received our twenty-five entries. Thanks to all our writers for sending them in. I will post them later today and we can start our review process. When posted, I will alert our Mystery Agent they're ready for review and judging.
So check back to see what's here. I'll get them on here as soon as possible.
So check back to see what's here. I'll get them on here as soon as possible.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
One slot left at 2:30 pm CST
We have only one opening remaining for the MG and YA query contest. Read the entry instructions HERE!
And don't forget to read about our Beta Reader Exchange in the post below!
And don't forget to read about our Beta Reader Exchange in the post below!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Beta Reader Exchange
You've revised and edited your wonderful manuscript until you're quite certain that everything is perfect. But before sending your stellar query letters to the agents on your list, you might benefit from having a beta reader look it over and offer suggestions. Just because you know exactly what you're trying to say doesn't necessarily equate to the reader understanding your meaning. A beta reader can be a great asset in this area.With that in mind, I thought it might be beneficial if we had some type of digital connection between those needing a beta reader and those willing to become one.
So here's the plan.
If you're looking for a beta reader, or if you're a willing beta reader, simply leave a comment below this post. Include a brief description of what you're needing. For example: I need a beta reader for a 50K-word middle-grade urban fantasy. If you'd like to offer your service as a beta reader, just post what you're willing to read. Like so: Willing to beta young adult paranormal or sci fi. It's entirely possible the perfect match can be made and you can exchange manuscripts and read for each other. When you comment, if you use the Name/URL option, it will link to your blog or website and allow interested parties to get your contact info.
So what are you waiting for? Start commenting already!
THE QUERY CONTEST — OFFICIAL RULES
Hopefully, you’ve all had time to post your queries, read the reviews, and polish them to a high luster. If not, there’s still time remaining to do that.We have a sub-forum at AW where you can post your query for review and critique. It's the forum directly below Query Letter Hell. I hope you will use it between now and the time the contest opens to create the best query you can.
When it’s as good as it can get, stop fussing with it and consider it finished. You’re ready.
Here are the official rules of the Query Contest.
Please read them carefully before entering.
1. All entries must consist of a query for a completed manuscript.
2. All manuscripts must be either MG (middle grade) or YA (young adult).
3. All queries entered in this contest must be in English.
4. Only one entry per person will be accepted.
To enter, send an email to the following address: michaelvette@gmail.com
EMAIL INSTRUCTIONS:
The subject line of your email must read: QUERY – TITLE – YOUR NAME
(Obviously, you insert the title of your book where it says TITLE, and you insert your name where it says YOUR NAME.)
Paste your query into the body of the email.
In the body of the email, put the book title above the salutation in ALL CAPS.
Below the title, indicate MG or YA for the audience.
The salutation of the query must read: Dear Mystery Agent:
Please DO NOT include your name at the bottom of the query.
The Call for Entries window will open at 8:00 am CST on Saturday, January 30, 2010.
It will close at 11:59 pm CST on Sunday, January 31, 2010, OR at such time when 25 entries have been received, whichever comes first.
Only one entry per person will be accepted. Any subsequent entries from the same person (containing a later time stamp) will not be considered.
The first 25 entries will be posted on this site in a separate post after the entry window closes or after the first 25 entries have been received and checked for compliance with the rules. It may take a little while to process everything, but I will let you know as soon as we have 25 entries that comply with the rules as stated here.
Please DO NOT send more than one entry.
Please DO NOT send a query for anything other than a completed MG or YA manuscript.
Please DO NOT include any sample pages from the manuscript.
By entering this competition, you give your permission for use of your name and/or photo on this blog if you are named as a winner.
Any questions or clarification regarding these rules should be addressed with a COMMENT immediately below this post. If any comments reveal any discrepancy, omission, or ambiguity in these rules, this post may be revised prior to the contest opening. If any change is made to this original posting, the heading of this post will contain the word "UPDATE." After the entry window opens, the rules will remain as stated in the final post.
Thanks for entering.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
We have a sub-forum at AW!
UPDATE: If you post your query on AW, don't post it in Query Letter Hell. We now have our own sub-forum called To Hell and Back Query Contest. It's the forum directly below the Query Letter Hell forum. If you haven't posted your query there yet, please do. If you've already posted it in QLH, leave it there but also post it in the new sub-forum. AW was most gracious to give us our own forum! Don't you think?
I also neglected to disclose some of the protocol at AW in my earlier post. Since you're receiving critiques and help from other writers, it's appropriate, and expected, that you critique the work of others in return. It's only fair. So, any time you visit AW, if you've posted something for critique, please take the time to offer a little critiquing in return. Thanks.
That protocol also holds true here. If you've received comments on your query, please offer some help to the others writers by giving comments on theirs. Nuff said about that.
And don't forget to enter the contest for Nicola Marsh's signed copy on the post below. Remember, it's a random drawing from the correct entries.
I also neglected to disclose some of the protocol at AW in my earlier post. Since you're receiving critiques and help from other writers, it's appropriate, and expected, that you critique the work of others in return. It's only fair. So, any time you visit AW, if you've posted something for critique, please take the time to offer a little critiquing in return. Thanks.
That protocol also holds true here. If you've received comments on your query, please offer some help to the others writers by giving comments on theirs. Nuff said about that.
And don't forget to enter the contest for Nicola Marsh's signed copy on the post below. Remember, it's a random drawing from the correct entries.
Who are you? Contest info!
Three things: I would love to get some data about my visitors to this site. With that objective in mind, I've placed two polls on the right sidebar. Please take a moment to click your preference on each. It will be most helpful in determining what areas will be of most interest to the largest audience. Thanks!
Secondly, literary agent extraordinaire, Mary Kole, is hosting a contest for "Openings." How serendipitous is that, since we were talking about beginnings last week. You can get the details HERE!
Third, if you're a YA writer, here's another great contest to enter in February. HERE!
That's it for now, but don't forget to come back this afternoon for our Very Special Announcement!
Secondly, literary agent extraordinaire, Mary Kole, is hosting a contest for "Openings." How serendipitous is that, since we were talking about beginnings last week. You can get the details HERE!
Third, if you're a YA writer, here's another great contest to enter in February. HERE!
That's it for now, but don't forget to come back this afternoon for our Very Special Announcement!
To Hell and Back
By now, most of you have had some good reviews and comments on your query letters. Hopefully, they've been helpful and have allowed you to improve it. If so, we're ready for Stage Two. This is where it gets really nasty. If jello scares you, if you're afraid of Santa Claus, you may want to skip this part. But if you really want to improve, you must take this step. It will be a valuable experience.I'm sending you away my darlings, temporarily, to a land that shows no mercy. It's a desolate and lonely place. The faint of heart should beware, for in this land words can cut to the quick and pierce your heart. I'm referring to the infamous, the dark and dangerous, Query Letter Hell. It's in the nether regions of a place called Absolute Write. Only those with courage may enter. HERE
When you arrive, you will register as a member. It's free. And it's something I highly recommend, not only for query letters but for everything writing related. There are forums on that site for all genres and instructions out the wazoo for help with just about anything you need. Published authors as well as those still aspiring visit it regularly. Literary agents lurk in the shadows.
After registering, go to the Forums. Scroll down to the section entitled The AW Writing Lab. The top forum in that section is called Share Your Work. (The password is vista.) After clicking there, the third forum down is your ultimate destination — Query Letter Hell. Click it.
Once you arrive in Hell, you will see many posts. These are all query letters waiting to be led to the slaughter. You can click on some and read them to see what the authors are requesting from the demons that are coming. When you're ready, at the top left you will see New Thread. Click that button. Paste your query into the body area. You can put a title on the post if you wish, (I'm new. Help me. Be gentle. or whatever you wish to type.) You can add some copy above your query in the body area, asking for a review or critique. If there's something specific you'd like to ask, you can add that as well. It's up to you what you ask for.
Then you wait for the devils to come. They will shread your query to ribbons with their sharp tongues. It may take a few hours, but check back to see what comments have been left. And don't get discouraged if they're nasty. Sometimes they are, but they're usually brutally honest and aimed at making your query as good as it can get. And that's what you want. Right? So take heart, my innocent lambs, and go boldly to the sacrificial altar. My thoughts will be with you.
Tomorrow I will post the details of the contest. At this point, I'm thinking of opening the entries on Saturday morning. Hopefully by that time you will have been to Hell and returned with a much improved query letter. I'm only sending you there to get several more sets of eyes on it and help make your query as good as it can possibly be for the contest.
After all, you're the only reason I'm here. So give us a hug, and be on your way, braveheart. Oh, I almost forgot! Be sure to stop back this afternoon. I'll be posting a very exciting announcement you don't want to miss!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
REGROUP. REGROUP.
Why didn't somebody stop me! I'm afraid I was a little (maybe more than a little) out of my head when I thought putting the queries in the comment section would work. It's going to be much too confusing and disorganzied. Fortunately, we've caught it in time.New Plan: Please email your query to michaelvette (at) gmail (dot) com. Include the word QUERY and the TITLE in the subject line. I will post each one as a separate post so the reviewers comments will be easily found. There's no limit to the number that can be posted.
My apologies for being short-sighted on this. I hate going to bed feeling like an imbecile!
FIREFLIES
Dear Agent,
Twelve-year-old Fiona Hartwell is obsessed with three things: fireflies, ghost hunting, and not dealing with her brother Troy's traumatic brain injury.
When Troy was hurt, the Hartwells moved to Fiona's aunt's inn, hoping that a handicap-ready room on the first floor would help with his recovery. Except Fiona wants nothing to do with Troy's recovery. She hates watching him learn to walk, learn to eat, learn to do everything. She just wants him to be her strong, older brother again. She escapes to the duck pond every day, ignoring Troy's requests to take him out with her, until a never-ending rainstorm traps her indoors.
She finds distraction and comfort in the ghost story she's made up about the inn. Soon, Fiona's sneaking out of her room each night to wander the halls, searching for the ghost girl she believes is trapped on the inaccessible third floor. She's heard that fireflies symbolize souls going to heaven, and Fiona wants to set this firefly free. But her choice to focus on the ghost instead of Troy might put both of them in danger.
FIREFLIES is a 30,000-word literary MG novel about a girl who wishes it was a paranormal novel instead. At your request, I'm prepared to send the completed manuscript. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Twelve-year-old Fiona Hartwell is obsessed with three things: fireflies, ghost hunting, and not dealing with her brother Troy's traumatic brain injury.
When Troy was hurt, the Hartwells moved to Fiona's aunt's inn, hoping that a handicap-ready room on the first floor would help with his recovery. Except Fiona wants nothing to do with Troy's recovery. She hates watching him learn to walk, learn to eat, learn to do everything. She just wants him to be her strong, older brother again. She escapes to the duck pond every day, ignoring Troy's requests to take him out with her, until a never-ending rainstorm traps her indoors.
She finds distraction and comfort in the ghost story she's made up about the inn. Soon, Fiona's sneaking out of her room each night to wander the halls, searching for the ghost girl she believes is trapped on the inaccessible third floor. She's heard that fireflies symbolize souls going to heaven, and Fiona wants to set this firefly free. But her choice to focus on the ghost instead of Troy might put both of them in danger.
FIREFLIES is a 30,000-word literary MG novel about a girl who wishes it was a paranormal novel instead. At your request, I'm prepared to send the completed manuscript. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
SMOOCH
Dear Agent,
Sixteen-year-old Haley is ready for true love--but Biology comes first.
When Haley decides to dissect a frog rather than stick to her beliefs
and have her grades suffer, the teacher deems a magical punishment.
With a sprinkle of eraser shavings, the teacher turns Haley into a
frog, and seals her fate: dissection.
Haley really can't explain to her sister why she wanders off each
evening and comes home, naked, reeking of swampy water. Haley can't
tell her almost-girlfriend, either, why she refuses to go on evening
dates, even though she desperately wants to. But she can't help
it--each day at four o' clock, Haley turns into a frog. Just like the
frog in the fairy tale, she's going to spend each night enchanted,
unless she can convince her frog-phobic princess to kiss her. Of
course, if the spell lasts too long, she's going to be the one on the
dissecting table.
SMOOCH is a young adult novel complete at 48,000 words. I would
be glad to send SMOOCH upon request. Thank you for your time.
Best,
Sixteen-year-old Haley is ready for true love--but Biology comes first.
When Haley decides to dissect a frog rather than stick to her beliefs
and have her grades suffer, the teacher deems a magical punishment.
With a sprinkle of eraser shavings, the teacher turns Haley into a
frog, and seals her fate: dissection.
Haley really can't explain to her sister why she wanders off each
evening and comes home, naked, reeking of swampy water. Haley can't
tell her almost-girlfriend, either, why she refuses to go on evening
dates, even though she desperately wants to. But she can't help
it--each day at four o' clock, Haley turns into a frog. Just like the
frog in the fairy tale, she's going to spend each night enchanted,
unless she can convince her frog-phobic princess to kiss her. Of
course, if the spell lasts too long, she's going to be the one on the
dissecting table.
SMOOCH is a young adult novel complete at 48,000 words. I would
be glad to send SMOOCH upon request. Thank you for your time.
Best,
GRIZZLY KID
Dear Mystery Agent:
Eleven-year-old Tyson Driggs used to go on all kinds of adventures
with his best friend, from sledding to shooting at the range to prune
juice drinking contests. They had promised each other that they would
go up to Wyoming and kill a big seven-point elk this season, but when
one of their adventures lands them in trouble with the police, Tyson's
parents stick his best friend in a nursing home.
His best friend is his seventy-six-year-old gramps.
Everyone tells Tyson that his gramps has an overactive imagination and
a taste for danger... and that's exactly what Tyson loves about him.
In the nursing home, his gramps asks Tyson to go on one more adventure
together: bust him out of there so they can go kill that elk. But
when Tyson discovers the real reason he's in the nursing home, the
adventure turns risky for real. His gramp's health is failing, but
how can Tyson say no to his best friend?
GRIZZLY KID is a middle-grade novel complete at 40,000 words. The
complete manuscript is available upon your request. Thank you for
your time.
Sincerely,
Eleven-year-old Tyson Driggs used to go on all kinds of adventures
with his best friend, from sledding to shooting at the range to prune
juice drinking contests. They had promised each other that they would
go up to Wyoming and kill a big seven-point elk this season, but when
one of their adventures lands them in trouble with the police, Tyson's
parents stick his best friend in a nursing home.
His best friend is his seventy-six-year-old gramps.
Everyone tells Tyson that his gramps has an overactive imagination and
a taste for danger... and that's exactly what Tyson loves about him.
In the nursing home, his gramps asks Tyson to go on one more adventure
together: bust him out of there so they can go kill that elk. But
when Tyson discovers the real reason he's in the nursing home, the
adventure turns risky for real. His gramp's health is failing, but
how can Tyson say no to his best friend?
GRIZZLY KID is a middle-grade novel complete at 40,000 words. The
complete manuscript is available upon your request. Thank you for
your time.
Sincerely,
LEGEND OF THE PROTECTORS
Dear Mystery Agent,
While sleep refreshes others, it leaves seventeen-year-old Samantha Sanders sick, confused, and lusting for a human-like monster who kills for pleasure. Awake, Sam discovers the nightmares are more than mere imagination. The deaths are real, and are happening too close to home to be coincidence.
Searching for answers, Sam turns to family friend, twenty-one-year-old Andrew Clearwater. When she learns they belong to an ancient line of Cherokee Protectors who fight monsters from legend, Sam must hone the skills she’s developed as a black-belt in order to aid in the battle. As they learn to work together, Sam and Andrew find there is more to fight than just monsters—their attraction to each other hinders their ability to fulfill their duties as Protectors and their capacity to rid Sam of the monster who stalks her dreams.
Though LEGEND OF THE PROTECTORS will appeal to the readers who love the romance in Twilight, it is not another vampire story. Loosely based on the Cherokee Legend The Stone Shield, this young adult urban fantasy is complete at 92,000 words.
I am an editorial freelancer. A registered Cherokee, I enjoy studying the history and legends of my people.
If you would like to consider my novel, I can be reached at...
Sincerely,
While sleep refreshes others, it leaves seventeen-year-old Samantha Sanders sick, confused, and lusting for a human-like monster who kills for pleasure. Awake, Sam discovers the nightmares are more than mere imagination. The deaths are real, and are happening too close to home to be coincidence.
Searching for answers, Sam turns to family friend, twenty-one-year-old Andrew Clearwater. When she learns they belong to an ancient line of Cherokee Protectors who fight monsters from legend, Sam must hone the skills she’s developed as a black-belt in order to aid in the battle. As they learn to work together, Sam and Andrew find there is more to fight than just monsters—their attraction to each other hinders their ability to fulfill their duties as Protectors and their capacity to rid Sam of the monster who stalks her dreams.
Though LEGEND OF THE PROTECTORS will appeal to the readers who love the romance in Twilight, it is not another vampire story. Loosely based on the Cherokee Legend The Stone Shield, this young adult urban fantasy is complete at 92,000 words.
I am an editorial freelancer. A registered Cherokee, I enjoy studying the history and legends of my people.
If you would like to consider my novel, I can be reached at...
Sincerely,
SEE ALL EVIL
Aspen bears a unique burden. Apparently, she's the only one who can see the chaos that demons are reaping. Lying her way out of a mental institution, Aspen sets out to find her estranged sister, Cedar. While searching the slums of the city, she stumbles upon Devlin, a man who not only sees demons, but holds the power to destroy them.
Devlin's father was a demon who raped his mother and left her for dead. As a half-breed, Devlin has the ability to see and even interact with the demons around him. His conflict between his destructive demonic tendencies and his human compassion tear at him daily, but long ago he resolved to fight for life and humanity.
As Devlin joins with Aspen to find Cedar they notice a rising trend in demonic activities which leads them to the Mayan 2012 doomsday prophecies. With the help of Devlin's genius uncle, and by following hidden prophetic clues, they find themselves deep in a treacherous jungle in South America, standing before the fabled Tree of Life. There they learn that the demons need someone with a physical body to pluck the fruit of the Tree for them in order for the demons to obtain what they desire most of all: bodies of flesh and blood to further exploit their evil powers.
See All Evil is a paranormal romance that takes place during the increasingly popular 2012 doomsday speculations. I'm a member of the League of Utah Writers, and placed first in the 2009 Oquirrh Writer's contest.
Sample chapters and a full manuscript are available upon request. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Devlin's father was a demon who raped his mother and left her for dead. As a half-breed, Devlin has the ability to see and even interact with the demons around him. His conflict between his destructive demonic tendencies and his human compassion tear at him daily, but long ago he resolved to fight for life and humanity.
As Devlin joins with Aspen to find Cedar they notice a rising trend in demonic activities which leads them to the Mayan 2012 doomsday prophecies. With the help of Devlin's genius uncle, and by following hidden prophetic clues, they find themselves deep in a treacherous jungle in South America, standing before the fabled Tree of Life. There they learn that the demons need someone with a physical body to pluck the fruit of the Tree for them in order for the demons to obtain what they desire most of all: bodies of flesh and blood to further exploit their evil powers.
See All Evil is a paranormal romance that takes place during the increasingly popular 2012 doomsday speculations. I'm a member of the League of Utah Writers, and placed first in the 2009 Oquirrh Writer's contest.
Sample chapters and a full manuscript are available upon request. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
ARCLIGHT
Dear Agent:
There is the Light…
There is the Dark…
And no one survives the Fade.
Three rules burned into every child of the Arclight from birth... until Marina stumbles out of the Dark very much alive and with no idea how she got there.
From the moment Marina arrives, the Fade cease to be the whispered rumor of decades past, and attack the Arclight every night after sundown. These assaults leave two choices: give them what they want or try and fight an enemy who can disappear into the background at will to strike without warning.
Marina's caught in the middle - a savior pariah. She finds an unexpected ally in Tobias - the son of a man killed bringing her to safety.. Together they search for the truth of her origin and survival, and instead discover that she may not be the cause of their troubles at all. The Fade seek the rescue of one of their own taken hostage, a boy no older than they are themselves.
Locating the prisoner means questioning everything they've ever been told about who and what the Fade are. Their journey takes them through layers of lies, and fear, and deceit all leading to one terrifying conclusion - Marina wasn't rescued from the darkness so much as she was stolen from it.
Arclight is an 80,000 word Young Adult novel. I've included the first pages in the body of this email and can send additional chapters, a synopsis, or the full manuscript on request.
Sincerely,
There is the Light…
There is the Dark…
And no one survives the Fade.
Three rules burned into every child of the Arclight from birth... until Marina stumbles out of the Dark very much alive and with no idea how she got there.
From the moment Marina arrives, the Fade cease to be the whispered rumor of decades past, and attack the Arclight every night after sundown. These assaults leave two choices: give them what they want or try and fight an enemy who can disappear into the background at will to strike without warning.
Marina's caught in the middle - a savior pariah. She finds an unexpected ally in Tobias - the son of a man killed bringing her to safety.. Together they search for the truth of her origin and survival, and instead discover that she may not be the cause of their troubles at all. The Fade seek the rescue of one of their own taken hostage, a boy no older than they are themselves.
Locating the prisoner means questioning everything they've ever been told about who and what the Fade are. Their journey takes them through layers of lies, and fear, and deceit all leading to one terrifying conclusion - Marina wasn't rescued from the darkness so much as she was stolen from it.
Arclight is an 80,000 word Young Adult novel. I've included the first pages in the body of this email and can send additional chapters, a synopsis, or the full manuscript on request.
Sincerely,
REDEEMING CHARACTERS
Animals may bite but people always suck. It’s the motto thirty-two year old Drue has lived by all his life. He longs for the snow to melt so he can disappear into the wild with nary a nitwit to be seen—to escape the confines of a narrow-minded and cloying society. Yet, when he discovers an old friend has published the book he helped create, a new plan surfaces. Revenge.
Bestselling author Dakota Whitmore is in a slump. Sure, her husband is dead and she's adopted his long-time mistress's child, but she's endured more difficult things. Maybe what she needs is a little help, a beta reader who will tell her that her work hasn't turned into a steaming cow pie. How about uber sexy Drue, the man who helped her pen her first—and only, bestseller? Nothing could possibly go wrong. Right?
A completed manuscript at 79,000 words, Redeeming Characters is a story about self-doubt and second chances. Selected as an Editor’s Choice in September 2009 at textnovel.com and a semi-finalist in Dorchester’s Next Best Celler contest, it is a humorous and heartwarming portrayal of a bestselling author who has lost her mojo and the man that got away.
I read on the website that you represent contemporary romance. My list of publish works include Worth the Wait, a short contemporary romance presented by Freya’s Bower, my mystery/chick lit novel The Misadventures of the Laundry Hag: Skeletons in the Closet and the upcoming contemporary romance River Rats, both available through Wild Child Publishing.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Bestselling author Dakota Whitmore is in a slump. Sure, her husband is dead and she's adopted his long-time mistress's child, but she's endured more difficult things. Maybe what she needs is a little help, a beta reader who will tell her that her work hasn't turned into a steaming cow pie. How about uber sexy Drue, the man who helped her pen her first—and only, bestseller? Nothing could possibly go wrong. Right?
A completed manuscript at 79,000 words, Redeeming Characters is a story about self-doubt and second chances. Selected as an Editor’s Choice in September 2009 at textnovel.com and a semi-finalist in Dorchester’s Next Best Celler contest, it is a humorous and heartwarming portrayal of a bestselling author who has lost her mojo and the man that got away.
I read on the website that you represent contemporary romance. My list of publish works include Worth the Wait, a short contemporary romance presented by Freya’s Bower, my mystery/chick lit novel The Misadventures of the Laundry Hag: Skeletons in the Closet and the upcoming contemporary romance River Rats, both available through Wild Child Publishing.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
EMERGENCE OF THE FEY
Dear Agent:
All Marian wants is to ease the pain and suffering of others. There is one suffering, however, that she cannot relieve: an ethereal crying in the forest that only she can hear. When the villagers begins to cut down trees, the elemental fey burn Marian's village to protect their sacred forest. Watching her home burn, magic is unleashed with her anger--Marian takes control of the air and tries to suffocate the fey but is knocked out before she can kill them.
When the fey learn Marian may be the one to complete the ritual allowing their banished goddess to return, they welcome her into their home to teach her their history and their magic. Without their goddess, the fey are slowly losing their magic and their lives.
Marian resists her role as savior, until in an effort to learn more about her magic, she learns the entity crying in the forest is the Fey goddess herself, banished by humans who fear her power and will do anything to prevent Her return.
EMERGENCE OF THE FEY is a YA fantasy novel complete at 97,000 words. I am a moderator for Writing.com, an online writing community, where I also served as a Fantasy Newsletter editor for two years. I have a blog at http://marywjensen.blogspot.com.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
All Marian wants is to ease the pain and suffering of others. There is one suffering, however, that she cannot relieve: an ethereal crying in the forest that only she can hear. When the villagers begins to cut down trees, the elemental fey burn Marian's village to protect their sacred forest. Watching her home burn, magic is unleashed with her anger--Marian takes control of the air and tries to suffocate the fey but is knocked out before she can kill them.
When the fey learn Marian may be the one to complete the ritual allowing their banished goddess to return, they welcome her into their home to teach her their history and their magic. Without their goddess, the fey are slowly losing their magic and their lives.
Marian resists her role as savior, until in an effort to learn more about her magic, she learns the entity crying in the forest is the Fey goddess herself, banished by humans who fear her power and will do anything to prevent Her return.
EMERGENCE OF THE FEY is a YA fantasy novel complete at 97,000 words. I am a moderator for Writing.com, an online writing community, where I also served as a Fantasy Newsletter editor for two years. I have a blog at http://marywjensen.blogspot.com.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
THE ORGAN GRINDER
Dear Agent,
I enclose details of my manuscript, The Organ Grinder below for your consideration. It is aimed at the thriller market and is 101,000 words. I look forward to receiving your comments.
Security expert Dominic Kane helps his journalist ex-lover uncover a medical conspiracy to commit mass murder and sell human organs to the highest bidder.
Award winning journalist Rebecca Eaton crosses the closed border of a troubled Asian country to interview a Human Rights activist and known terrorist. Three days later, after her reported mysterious disappearance, she turns up at the border tortured, beaten, minus her memory and one kidney. When an attempt is made on her life in hospital, her employer sends Eaton's estranged ex-lover and security expert Dominic Kane to bring her safely home.
Kane wants Rebecca back and jumps at the chance to make her realise she walked out on a good thing. But before he can entice her into a reconciliation he has to help her retrieve her memory and assist her in exposing a worldwide medical conspiracy involving mass murder and the selling of human organs.
Kane has to protect Rebecca from the men sent to silence her and the terrorists who insist she bring the medical criminals to justice or they will detonate four suicide bombs in London. As he helps her unravel her lost memories Kane finds the conspiracy reaches into Rebecca's family and the highest echelons of power.
Best wishes.
I enclose details of my manuscript, The Organ Grinder below for your consideration. It is aimed at the thriller market and is 101,000 words. I look forward to receiving your comments.
Security expert Dominic Kane helps his journalist ex-lover uncover a medical conspiracy to commit mass murder and sell human organs to the highest bidder.
Award winning journalist Rebecca Eaton crosses the closed border of a troubled Asian country to interview a Human Rights activist and known terrorist. Three days later, after her reported mysterious disappearance, she turns up at the border tortured, beaten, minus her memory and one kidney. When an attempt is made on her life in hospital, her employer sends Eaton's estranged ex-lover and security expert Dominic Kane to bring her safely home.
Kane wants Rebecca back and jumps at the chance to make her realise she walked out on a good thing. But before he can entice her into a reconciliation he has to help her retrieve her memory and assist her in exposing a worldwide medical conspiracy involving mass murder and the selling of human organs.
Kane has to protect Rebecca from the men sent to silence her and the terrorists who insist she bring the medical criminals to justice or they will detonate four suicide bombs in London. As he helps her unravel her lost memories Kane finds the conspiracy reaches into Rebecca's family and the highest echelons of power.
Best wishes.
SECRETS OF THE GENTLEMAN THIEF
Dear Agent,
I am proud to present to you my recently completed work, a paranormal romance, Secrets of the Gentleman Thief. The 98,300 word manuscript is one of four novels I have been working on over the last year. All four novels take place in the middle 1800’s and in or near an imaginary place, the Dark Forest. Though the main characters in each book are different, some of the supporting characters, the fairies of the Dark Forest, are the same.
Haunted by a traumatic event in her childhood that is locked away in the deepest recesses of her mind, Alisa Fenton embarks on a quest to find her missing brother. She seeks out a clairvoyant who warns her that a dark stranger is searching for her who could be her salvation or bring about her ruin. While on her quest, Alisa also must struggle with the devastating illness she hides from her peers who already shun her because of an incident in her past.
Her dark stranger, an undercover agent for the crown, who has many secrets of his own to hide, is also looking for Alisa’s brother though for very different reasons.
Despite their mutual distrust, the two are forced to travel and work together. Even the startling physical attraction that they both feel and fight against won’t assuage their suspicious minds. Silencing anyone connected to the missing brother, a murderer closes in forcing them to flee and go into hiding. Passion erupts in seclusion, but will it be powerful enough to overcome their mistrust of one another?
Please allow me to thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
I am proud to present to you my recently completed work, a paranormal romance, Secrets of the Gentleman Thief. The 98,300 word manuscript is one of four novels I have been working on over the last year. All four novels take place in the middle 1800’s and in or near an imaginary place, the Dark Forest. Though the main characters in each book are different, some of the supporting characters, the fairies of the Dark Forest, are the same.
Haunted by a traumatic event in her childhood that is locked away in the deepest recesses of her mind, Alisa Fenton embarks on a quest to find her missing brother. She seeks out a clairvoyant who warns her that a dark stranger is searching for her who could be her salvation or bring about her ruin. While on her quest, Alisa also must struggle with the devastating illness she hides from her peers who already shun her because of an incident in her past.
Her dark stranger, an undercover agent for the crown, who has many secrets of his own to hide, is also looking for Alisa’s brother though for very different reasons.
Despite their mutual distrust, the two are forced to travel and work together. Even the startling physical attraction that they both feel and fight against won’t assuage their suspicious minds. Silencing anyone connected to the missing brother, a murderer closes in forcing them to flee and go into hiding. Passion erupts in seclusion, but will it be powerful enough to overcome their mistrust of one another?
Please allow me to thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
THE EXILED
Dear Agent:
After millennia of war, one has been chosen to save the world from the demonic creatures that wish to possess it. However, a choice must be made. A choice that will determine the course of history. But how do you choose when one path leads to Hell and the other leads to death?
Brianna Ridley always knew she was special--a Halfling, born of parents from two separate worlds. But when she's yanked out of bed on the eve of her 18th birthday and rushed halfway across the world by her panicked mother--because her people are being picked off one by one--she realizes special has a price.
THE EXILED is a young adult paranormal romantic suspense, complete at 90,000 words, and is similar to Buffy the Vampire slayer, minus the vampires.
I am an active member of the RWA, CFRW and the online community YALitchat.
Thank you for your generous time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
After millennia of war, one has been chosen to save the world from the demonic creatures that wish to possess it. However, a choice must be made. A choice that will determine the course of history. But how do you choose when one path leads to Hell and the other leads to death?
Brianna Ridley always knew she was special--a Halfling, born of parents from two separate worlds. But when she's yanked out of bed on the eve of her 18th birthday and rushed halfway across the world by her panicked mother--because her people are being picked off one by one--she realizes special has a price.
THE EXILED is a young adult paranormal romantic suspense, complete at 90,000 words, and is similar to Buffy the Vampire slayer, minus the vampires.
I am an active member of the RWA, CFRW and the online community YALitchat.
Thank you for your generous time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
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