Michelle Hauck's Blog, page 23
May 15, 2017
Five Reason for Writing in Verse
Shari Green is here to tell us more about writing in verse. I've always been curious about this form of writing (we sometimes see these in contests) and I'm glad for a chance to know more about why to pick verse!
And don't forget to enter the giveaway by leaving a comment.
Take it away, Shari.
It seems to me, verse novels are everywhere…although I might possibly have highly-developed verse-novel radar. ;-) I do seek them out, because I love the form so much, and I’ve written two verse novels myself. (The second one is brand new! MACY McMILLAN AND THE RAINBOW GODDESS launches in the U.S. on May 15. Details below.)
I’m often asked why verse? so I’ve given it some thought. Whether you’re a reader curious about the form, or a writer wondering if verse might be right for your next story, here are five reasons why you might choose to write in verse.
It suits the story: A story element may lend itself to verse, to the techniques and structure of a verse novel. For example, a bleak setting or subject can be reflected in short, stark lines; or the setting may be enriched by using verse that reflects the rhythm of a culture’s language or music; or the subject matter may be directly related to poetry or writing, making verse a natural fit.It lightens the load: Difficult or demanding subject matter can be more palatable in verse. The economy of words and the abundance of white space may help the reader to absorb what’s happening without being overwhelmed.It gets to the heart: Because verse tends to be intimate, immediate, and often intense, it can be easier to get to the heart of a story by using poetry. This may be partly because of the economy of words, the spareness, but also because things like spacing and alignment—the visual elements of the poems—can become a metaphor for the character’s emotion or state of mind, hitting the reader on a subconscious level and increasing the emotional impact.It helps readers: For kids (and adults) who struggle with reading or who think they don’t really like reading, verse novels can be much less intimidating – readers aren’t hit with a huge block of text when they open the book. And since verse novels often are fairly quick reads, less enthusiastic readers are more likely to finish them, giving them a sense of competence and confidence. Rhythm and repetition can be a huge help to struggling readers in processing & retaining what they read, too.It feels right: Sometimes verse just feels right, which probably sounds a bit vague, but it was certainly my experience when I began writing novels in verse. Verse was not only how I heard my characters’ voices, but also a natural fit for my own voice and style. And I must say, playing with poetry and the musicality of words is a joy!Have you tried writing in verse? Have you read many verse novels? I’d love to know! Leave a comment and include your email address for a chance to win a copy of MACY McMILLAN AND THE RAINBOW GODDESS.
Olivia has been Macy McMillan’s best friend ever since Macy transferred to Hamilton Elementary from Braeside School for the Deaf. But then their sixth grade teacher assigned that embarrassing family tree project, and Olivia made a joke about Macy’s father, and now neither girl is speaking—or signing—to the other.
It couldn’t have happened at a worse time. With her mother getting married and an ugly For Sale sign jammed into their yard, Macy could really use a best friend right now. But it seems the only person who has time for her these days is Iris Gillan from next door. And it’s not like a crabby, old woman who doesn’t even know sign language is going to be any comfort. Right?
MACY McMILLAN AND THE RAINBOW GODDESS is a Junior Library Guild 2017 selection. A summer read for fans of Sharon Creech and Kate DiCamillo, from Pajama Press.
Shari Green writes fiction for kids and teens. She lives on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada, with her husband, kids, and the worst watchdog ever. Visit her online at www.sharigreen.com.
And don't forget to enter the giveaway by leaving a comment.
Take it away, Shari.
It seems to me, verse novels are everywhere…although I might possibly have highly-developed verse-novel radar. ;-) I do seek them out, because I love the form so much, and I’ve written two verse novels myself. (The second one is brand new! MACY McMILLAN AND THE RAINBOW GODDESS launches in the U.S. on May 15. Details below.)
I’m often asked why verse? so I’ve given it some thought. Whether you’re a reader curious about the form, or a writer wondering if verse might be right for your next story, here are five reasons why you might choose to write in verse.
It suits the story: A story element may lend itself to verse, to the techniques and structure of a verse novel. For example, a bleak setting or subject can be reflected in short, stark lines; or the setting may be enriched by using verse that reflects the rhythm of a culture’s language or music; or the subject matter may be directly related to poetry or writing, making verse a natural fit.It lightens the load: Difficult or demanding subject matter can be more palatable in verse. The economy of words and the abundance of white space may help the reader to absorb what’s happening without being overwhelmed.It gets to the heart: Because verse tends to be intimate, immediate, and often intense, it can be easier to get to the heart of a story by using poetry. This may be partly because of the economy of words, the spareness, but also because things like spacing and alignment—the visual elements of the poems—can become a metaphor for the character’s emotion or state of mind, hitting the reader on a subconscious level and increasing the emotional impact.It helps readers: For kids (and adults) who struggle with reading or who think they don’t really like reading, verse novels can be much less intimidating – readers aren’t hit with a huge block of text when they open the book. And since verse novels often are fairly quick reads, less enthusiastic readers are more likely to finish them, giving them a sense of competence and confidence. Rhythm and repetition can be a huge help to struggling readers in processing & retaining what they read, too.It feels right: Sometimes verse just feels right, which probably sounds a bit vague, but it was certainly my experience when I began writing novels in verse. Verse was not only how I heard my characters’ voices, but also a natural fit for my own voice and style. And I must say, playing with poetry and the musicality of words is a joy!Have you tried writing in verse? Have you read many verse novels? I’d love to know! Leave a comment and include your email address for a chance to win a copy of MACY McMILLAN AND THE RAINBOW GODDESS.
Olivia has been Macy McMillan’s best friend ever since Macy transferred to Hamilton Elementary from Braeside School for the Deaf. But then their sixth grade teacher assigned that embarrassing family tree project, and Olivia made a joke about Macy’s father, and now neither girl is speaking—or signing—to the other.
It couldn’t have happened at a worse time. With her mother getting married and an ugly For Sale sign jammed into their yard, Macy could really use a best friend right now. But it seems the only person who has time for her these days is Iris Gillan from next door. And it’s not like a crabby, old woman who doesn’t even know sign language is going to be any comfort. Right?
MACY McMILLAN AND THE RAINBOW GODDESS is a Junior Library Guild 2017 selection. A summer read for fans of Sharon Creech and Kate DiCamillo, from Pajama Press.
Shari Green writes fiction for kids and teens. She lives on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada, with her husband, kids, and the worst watchdog ever. Visit her online at www.sharigreen.com.
May 12, 2017
Partial List of Query Kombat Agents and Editors
Want to know what agents and editors we have for Query Kombat? WE HAVE THIRTY-TWO, AND COUNTING!! There are so many publishing professionals participating, we can’t fit them all on one blog! View one-third of them below, then click on over to Michael’s and Laura's blogs to see the rest.
We’ve got both well-established agents/editors and some newer professionals who are actively seeking to build their lists. Query Kombat 2017 is going to be an AWESOME Kontest.
Don't miss the submission window from May 17 - May 19, 2017!! We’re giving you three days to get your entries in! And consider donating to keep the contests rolling:
For more information on how to enter when the window opens, please click here. Otherwise, scroll down to meet the agents and editors!
Lindsay Mealing of Emerald City Literary
Lindsay has been writing stories since she could first hold a pencil. It wasn’t until she sat down to edit a manuscript for the first time she realized her true love was not on the writing side of the publishing industry, but the business side. She began interning for Mandy in early 2015 and quickly realized agenting was what she wanted to do forever more.Lindsay is a self-proclaimed nerd, loving everything science fiction and fantasy – from epic tomes to gaming. She fell head over heels with the SFF genre when she read KUSHIEL’S DART by Jacqueline Carey (she even has Phedre’s marque tattooed on her back).Lindsay represents both adult and young adult fiction. In adult she’s primarily looking for fantasy and science fiction, but is also interested in psychological thrillers, women’s fiction, and romance. In YA, she loves all genres – contemporary, fantasy, horror, romance – anything!Website|Twitter
____________________________________________________________
Margaret Bail of Fuse Literary Agency
Margaret Bail has a BA in English and an MFA in Creative and Professional Writing. With years of experience editing manuscripts, as well as teaching university-level English and writing, she looks forward to working closely with new and established authors to help develop their voice and craft.Her lifelong love of stories and storytelling has her looking for books that transport her into the heart of the story, so much so that she’ll forget where she is and lose track of time while she reads.Margaret is interested in adult fiction in the genres of romance (no Christian or inspirational, please), science fiction (soft sci-fi rather than hard), mystery, thrillers, action adventure, historical fiction (not a fan of WWII era), and fantasy. In nonfiction, Margaret is interested in memoirs with a unique hook, and cookbooks with a strong platform.
Fiction genres Margaret is NOT interested in: YA, MG, children’s books; steampunk, Christian/religious literature, chick lit, women’s fiction, literary, poetry, screenplays.Website|Twitter
____________________________________________________________Caitie Flum of Liza Dawson Literary Agency
Caitie Flum joined Liza Dawson Associates in July 2014 as assistant and audio rights manager. She graduated from Hofstra University in 2009 with a B.A. in English with a concentration in publishing studies. She interned at Hachette Book Group and Writers House. She was an editorial assistant then coordinator for Bookspan, where she worked on several clubs including the Book-of-the-Month Club, The Good Cook, and the Children’s Book-of-the-Month Club.
Caitie is looking for commercial and upmarket fiction with great characters and superb writing, especially historical fiction, mysteries/thrillers of all kinds, romance, and book club fiction. She is open to science fiction and fantasy that crosses over to a young adult market.
She is also looking for Middle Grade and Young Adult projects, particularly romance, historical fiction, mysteries and thrillers, science fiction and fantasy, and contemporary books with diverse characters.In nonfiction, she is looking for narrative nonfiction, especially history that’s impossible to put down, books on pop culture, theater, current events, women’s issues, and humor.
Website|Twitter
____________________________________________________________Lauren Galit of LKG Agency
Agent: such a loaded job description. It’s the word you scream into the phone when you get stuck in an airline or cable company’s automated loop. AGENT! Or it might call to mind images of a classic real estate or Hollywood agent with slicked-back hair and too-sharp clothes. But that’s not who I am. My client, Clinton Kelly, once wrote in the acknowledgments of Freakin’ Fabulous: “Lauren Keller Galit, a totally chill agent who’s not even a jerk.”Being a literary agent is my dream job (but then again, I was a literary geek at Harvard): I get to work with writers all day long, helping them craft their book ideas and editing their proposals. And then, once the proposal is complete, I get to connect with editors to sell them on something I have passionately committed myself to for the past few months. And I get to chat — a lot (but hopefully not too much). With writers, with editors, with Caitlen. All good.I also get to be a world-class dilettante. For each new project that comes along, I delve deep into that writer’s world and expertise, learning all I can, so that I can speak knowledgeably about the subject. What could be bad about exploring a new angle on parenting or fitness or style every few months? My closet is certainly the better for it; hopefully my kids, too.I started my agenting career in 2002 at John Boswell Associates, a literary agency and book packager that’s most noted for creating 365 Ways To Cook Chicken, as well as countless other best sellers. Because Boswell was a packager as well as an agent, he taught me how to do more than just craft a proposal and sell it; he showed me how to create a book from scratch, working with designers and production people along the way. It is that attention to detail that I bring to my current projects, even if we aren’t packaging them. I help my authors envision what their books could be.Before becoming an agent, I was a magazine editor for 10 years, starting at GQ (Gentleman’s Quarterly) and ending at GH (Good Housekeeping). That’s where I learned to edit and copy edit, to read and reread until an article or caption or pull quote was just so. It is a skill I bring to every proposal I work on with a writer. It won’t go out until it is just so, because the proposal should beautifully and accurately represent the idea an author is dying to bring to the world.Website|Twitter____________________________________________________________
Christa Heschke of McIntosh and Otis
CHRISTA HESCHKE graduated from Binghamton University with a major in English and a minor in Anthropology. She started in publishing as an intern at both Writers House and Sterling Lord Literistic, where she fell in love with the agency side of publishing. Christa has been at McIntosh and Otis, Inc. in the Children's Literature Department since 2009 where she is actively acquiring for all age groups in children’s.
For YA, she is especially interested in contemporary, thriller/mystery, fantasy and horror. She looks for a compelling voice and a strong hook that will set a YA novel apart in the flooded market. She is open to all types of middle grade and especially enjoys adventure, mystery, and magical realism. For both YA and MG, she is interested in unique settings and cultural influences, interesting structure, complicated romances, diverse characters, sister or friendship-centric stories, and stories that feature artists of any kind. In picture books she is drawn to cute, funny stories (as opposed to sweet and quiet) that will grab kids as well as the occasional nonfiction biography on a subject whose story has yet to be told.
Christa is not looking for any Adult fiction or non-fiction, paranormal or dystopian at this time.Website|Twitter
____________________________________________________________
Mallory Brown of Triada US Literary Agency
Literary Agent Assistant Mallory C. Brown is seeking young adult, women’s fiction, adult, and non-fiction. She is especially drawn to pieces with strong character-driven plots and witty humor. She loves contemporary fiction, fantasy, magical realism, and romance. Mallory also appreciates a well-placed comma and hopes you do, too.
Some of Mallory’s favorites at the moment are: The Presidents Club, Bringing up Bébé, The Charlotte Holmes trilogy, Alex and Eliza, and Leave Me.
Website|Twitter
____________________________________________________________
Andrea Somberg of Harvey Klinger Literary
A literary agent for over fifteen years, Andrea represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, including projects for adult, young adult and middle grade audiences. Her clients’ books have been NYTimes and USABestsellers, as well as nominated for The Governor General’s Award, the Lambda Award, the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award and the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, and have been chosen for ABA’s Indies Introduce Program. Andrea is a guest instructor for MediaBistro and Writers Digest.
Her clients' books have been NYTimes and USABestsellers, as well as nominated for The Governor General's Award, the Lambda Award, the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award and the VCU Campbell First Novelist Award. Andrea also teaches courses for MediaBistro and Writers Digest on topics such as nonfiction, memoir, mystery and thrillers, fantasy and sf. Her client list is quite full, however she is always actively looking to take on new authors who write in the following categories: Fiction: literary, commercial, book club fiction, romance, thrillers, mystery, paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, young adult, new adult, middle grade. Nonfiction: memoir, narrative, popular science, pop-culture, humor, how-to, parenting, self-help, lifestyle, travel, interior design, crafts, cookbooks, business, sports, diet, health & fitness.
Website|Twitter
____________________________________________________________
Renee Nyen of KT Literary
Several years in the editorial department at Random House’s Colorado division provided Renee with the opportunity to work with bestselling and debut authors alike. After leaving Random House, she came to KT Literary in early 2013. She loves digging into manuscripts and helping the author shape the best story possible. Though this is great for her profession, it tends to frustrate people watching movies with her. With a penchant for depressing hipster music and an abiding love for a good adventure story, Renee is always looking for book recommendations. Even if that means creeping on people reading in public. Which she does frequently. She makes her home in Arizona with her husband, and their two children.
In both YA and MG I would love to see some more gothic stories. Secret societies, creepy old mansions, and morally questionable science experiments always get me excited. I even have a soft spot for serial killer stories–especially if they’re heavy on the psychological thrills and not gore. I adore Maureen Johnson’s Shades of London series. She balances humor and horror in the most compelling way.
Specifically in YA, I love thrillers with twists! I will never forget the way I felt when I read Daphne DuMaurier’s REBECCA for the first time. Or Elizabeth Wein’s CODE NAME VERITY. Or everything Gillian Flynn has ever written. I love them dark; I love them twisty. It’s fascinating to push characters to the very edge and see how they respond.Another thing I’d like to see more is reworked classics. Not necessarily Jane Austin or William Shakespeare; those have been done. (Though I love “Clueless” and “10 Things I Hate About You” as much as the next girl.) TILL WE HAVE FACES by CS Lewis is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s mythology and sisters. I’m a sucker for both of those things. So, someone write that for me, please? Retellings of classics are great for a few reasons, they make classics accessible to a new audience and they spark nostalgia for those of us who loved the original.
Sci-fi and fantasy: For YA or MG I would love to sign something akin to “Firefly”. I’m not sure if I love the rebel-with-a-cause attitude or the ensemble cast more. Typically, I prefer my sci-fi set in space, not on earth. The beauty of sci-fi is the boundless universe. I like to get off planet earth and discover what else is out there. Also, I would love to see more LGBTQ characters in sci-fi and fantasy. For me, the most exciting stories reinvent typical tropes! Go ahead, send me characters who break the rules.
What you’re hearing is: I love plot/action driven books. Character development, beautiful prose, and romantic tension are important, but action keeps me reading into the wee hours of the morning.
Website|Twitter
____________________________________________________________
Jess Dallow of Brower Literary
Having grown up with the same name as her favorite Sweet Valley High twin, Jess has always had a love for books, especially those that feature well developed, strong female characters. She is fascinated with complex characters and a world that she can fall in love with, stories that make her want to sob and laugh within minutes of each other, and a book that she can’t put down no matter what time it is or what rerun of SVU is on. She has a BFA in Writing for Film and Television from the University of the Arts and worked in entertainment for eight years before returning to her home state of NY where she worked at a literary agency for two years before joining Brower Literary & Management.
Jess Dallow is interested in both YA and adult commercial fiction with a focus in romance, family stories, thrillers, mystery, and women’s fiction. She loves strong, complex female characters, worlds that she can fall in love with, stories that make her want to sob and laugh within minutes of each other, and a book that she can’t put down no matter what time it is. She is not looking to currently represent picture or chapter books.
Website|Twitter
____________________________________________________________
Hattie Grunewald of Blake Friedmann Literary
Hattie is looking for women's fiction, crime and thrillers outside of the 'male cop, dead woman' mould, speculative fiction and realistic YA and middle-grade fiction. In non-fiction, she is looking for personal development, accessible books about politics, economics and science, and funny and clever narrative non-fiction. She is not currently accepting fantasy or fiction set before 1900, and she hates sport - sorry!Specifically (but not exclusively), Hattie loves: love stories, especially slow-burners or ones disguised as something else; dysfunctional families (particularly step families, or dads who are neither deadbeats nor heroes); large sprawling casts of diverse and believable characters; authors from under-represented backgrounds; books that aren't afraid to call themselves feminist; books about mental health; blogs and tweets and writers that understand social media; pop culture; anything to do with food.Website|Twitter____________________________________________________________Jennifer Azantian of Azantian Literary
Founder Jennifer Azantian graduated with a B.S. in clinical and developmental psychology from the University of California, San Diego where she was an executive editor for the Trition Psychology Report. In 2011, she began her agenting career, first as an intern and then as an assistant and associate, at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. In 2014, while working with senior agent and entertainment lawyer Paul Levine, Jennifer opened her own agency specializing in speculative fiction.
Jennifer is particularly interested in stories that explore meaningful human interactions against fantastic backdrops, underrepresented voices, literary science fiction, historical fantasy, creepy stories for young readers, humorous space operas, well-crafted and hopeful futures, internally consistent epic fantasy, obscure retold fairy tales, modernized mythologies, and eccentric protagonists. She brings to her clients a passion for literature born of a writer's heart, an editorial eye honed from reviewing thousands of projects, and contract knowledge empowered by guidance from her mentor Paul Levine. She is also a conference and convention regular who has spoken at and provided critiques for SCBWI, ConDor Con, SCWC, WNBA-LA, Literary Orange, GLAWS, Cascade Writers' Workshop, and more.
Website|Twitter
Query Kombat Agents and Editors
Want to know what agents and editors we have for Query Kombat? WE HAVE THIRTY-TWO, AND COUNTING!! There are so many publishing professionals participating, we can’t fit them all on one blog! View one-third of them below, then click on over to Michael’s and Laura's blogs to see the rest.
We’ve got both well-established agents/editors and some newer professionals who are actively seeking to build their lists. Query Kombat 2017 is going to be an AWESOME Kontest.
Don't miss the submission window from May 17 - May 19, 2017!! We’re giving you three days to get your entries in! And consider donating to keep the contests rolling:
For more information on how to enter when the window opens, please click here. Otherwise, scroll down to meet the agents and editors!
Lindsay Mealing of Emerald City Literary
Lindsay has been writing stories since she could first hold a pencil. It wasn’t until she sat down to edit a manuscript for the first time she realized her true love was not on the writing side of the publishing industry, but the business side. She began interning for Mandy in early 2015 and quickly realized agenting was what she wanted to do forever more.Lindsay is a self-proclaimed nerd, loving everything science fiction and fantasy – from epic tomes to gaming. She fell head over heels with the SFF genre when she read KUSHIEL’S DART by Jacqueline Carey (she even has Phedre’s marque tattooed on her back).Lindsay represents both adult and young adult fiction. In adult she’s primarily looking for fantasy and science fiction, but is also interested in psychological thrillers, women’s fiction, and romance. In YA, she loves all genres – contemporary, fantasy, horror, romance – anything!Website|Twitter
____________________________________________________________
Margaret Bail of Fuse Literary Agency
Margaret Bail has a BA in English and an MFA in Creative and Professional Writing. With years of experience editing manuscripts, as well as teaching university-level English and writing, she looks forward to working closely with new and established authors to help develop their voice and craft.Her lifelong love of stories and storytelling has her looking for books that transport her into the heart of the story, so much so that she’ll forget where she is and lose track of time while she reads.Margaret is interested in adult fiction in the genres of romance (no Christian or inspirational, please), science fiction (soft sci-fi rather than hard), mystery, thrillers, action adventure, historical fiction (not a fan of WWII era), and fantasy. In nonfiction, Margaret is interested in memoirs with a unique hook, and cookbooks with a strong platform.
Fiction genres Margaret is NOT interested in: YA, MG, children’s books; steampunk, Christian/religious literature, chick lit, women’s fiction, literary, poetry, screenplays.Website|Twitter
____________________________________________________________Caitie Flum of Liza Dawson Literary Agency
Caitie Flum joined Liza Dawson Associates in July 2014 as assistant and audio rights manager. She graduated from Hofstra University in 2009 with a B.A. in English with a concentration in publishing studies. She interned at Hachette Book Group and Writers House. She was an editorial assistant then coordinator for Bookspan, where she worked on several clubs including the Book-of-the-Month Club, The Good Cook, and the Children’s Book-of-the-Month Club.
Caitie is looking for commercial and upmarket fiction with great characters and superb writing, especially historical fiction, mysteries/thrillers of all kinds, romance, and book club fiction. She is open to science fiction and fantasy that crosses over to a young adult market.
She is also looking for Middle Grade and Young Adult projects, particularly romance, historical fiction, mysteries and thrillers, science fiction and fantasy, and contemporary books with diverse characters.In nonfiction, she is looking for narrative nonfiction, especially history that’s impossible to put down, books on pop culture, theater, current events, women’s issues, and humor.
Website|Twitter
____________________________________________________________Lauren Galit of LKG Agency
Agent: such a loaded job description. It’s the word you scream into the phone when you get stuck in an airline or cable company’s automated loop. AGENT! Or it might call to mind images of a classic real estate or Hollywood agent with slicked-back hair and too-sharp clothes. But that’s not who I am. My client, Clinton Kelly, once wrote in the acknowledgments of Freakin’ Fabulous: “Lauren Keller Galit, a totally chill agent who’s not even a jerk.”Being a literary agent is my dream job (but then again, I was a literary geek at Harvard): I get to work with writers all day long, helping them craft their book ideas and editing their proposals. And then, once the proposal is complete, I get to connect with editors to sell them on something I have passionately committed myself to for the past few months. And I get to chat — a lot (but hopefully not too much). With writers, with editors, with Caitlen. All good.I also get to be a world-class dilettante. For each new project that comes along, I delve deep into that writer’s world and expertise, learning all I can, so that I can speak knowledgeably about the subject. What could be bad about exploring a new angle on parenting or fitness or style every few months? My closet is certainly the better for it; hopefully my kids, too.I started my agenting career in 2002 at John Boswell Associates, a literary agency and book packager that’s most noted for creating 365 Ways To Cook Chicken, as well as countless other best sellers. Because Boswell was a packager as well as an agent, he taught me how to do more than just craft a proposal and sell it; he showed me how to create a book from scratch, working with designers and production people along the way. It is that attention to detail that I bring to my current projects, even if we aren’t packaging them. I help my authors envision what their books could be.Before becoming an agent, I was a magazine editor for 10 years, starting at GQ (Gentleman’s Quarterly) and ending at GH (Good Housekeeping). That’s where I learned to edit and copy edit, to read and reread until an article or caption or pull quote was just so. It is a skill I bring to every proposal I work on with a writer. It won’t go out until it is just so, because the proposal should beautifully and accurately represent the idea an author is dying to bring to the world.Website|Twitter____________________________________________________________
Christa Heschke of McIntosh and Otis
CHRISTA HESCHKE graduated from Binghamton University with a major in English and a minor in Anthropology. She started in publishing as an intern at both Writers House and Sterling Lord Literistic, where she fell in love with the agency side of publishing. Christa has been at McIntosh and Otis, Inc. in the Children's Literature Department since 2009 where she is actively acquiring for all age groups in children’s.
For YA, she is especially interested in contemporary, thriller/mystery, fantasy and horror. She looks for a compelling voice and a strong hook that will set a YA novel apart in the flooded market. She is open to all types of middle grade and especially enjoys adventure, mystery, and magical realism. For both YA and MG, she is interested in unique settings and cultural influences, interesting structure, complicated romances, diverse characters, sister or friendship-centric stories, and stories that feature artists of any kind. In picture books she is drawn to cute, funny stories (as opposed to sweet and quiet) that will grab kids as well as the occasional nonfiction biography on a subject whose story has yet to be told.
Christa is not looking for any Adult fiction or non-fiction, paranormal or dystopian at this time.Website|Twitter
____________________________________________________________
Mallory Brown of Triada US Literary Agency
Literary Agent Assistant Mallory C. Brown is seeking young adult, women’s fiction, adult, and non-fiction. She is especially drawn to pieces with strong character-driven plots and witty humor. She loves contemporary fiction, fantasy, magical realism, and romance. Mallory also appreciates a well-placed comma and hopes you do, too.
Some of Mallory’s favorites at the moment are: The Presidents Club, Bringing up Bébé, The Charlotte Holmes trilogy, Alex and Eliza, and Leave Me.
Website|Twitter
____________________________________________________________
Andrea Somberg of Harvey Klinger Literary
A literary agent for over fifteen years, Andrea represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, including projects for adult, young adult and middle grade audiences. Her clients’ books have been NYTimes and USABestsellers, as well as nominated for The Governor General’s Award, the Lambda Award, the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award and the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, and have been chosen for ABA’s Indies Introduce Program. Andrea is a guest instructor for MediaBistro and Writers Digest.
Her clients' books have been NYTimes and USABestsellers, as well as nominated for The Governor General's Award, the Lambda Award, the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award and the VCU Campbell First Novelist Award. Andrea also teaches courses for MediaBistro and Writers Digest on topics such as nonfiction, memoir, mystery and thrillers, fantasy and sf. Her client list is quite full, however she is always actively looking to take on new authors who write in the following categories: Fiction: literary, commercial, book club fiction, romance, thrillers, mystery, paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, young adult, new adult, middle grade. Nonfiction: memoir, narrative, popular science, pop-culture, humor, how-to, parenting, self-help, lifestyle, travel, interior design, crafts, cookbooks, business, sports, diet, health & fitness.
Website|Twitter
____________________________________________________________
Renee Nyen of KT Literary
Several years in the editorial department at Random House’s Colorado division provided Renee with the opportunity to work with bestselling and debut authors alike. After leaving Random House, she came to KT Literary in early 2013. She loves digging into manuscripts and helping the author shape the best story possible. Though this is great for her profession, it tends to frustrate people watching movies with her. With a penchant for depressing hipster music and an abiding love for a good adventure story, Renee is always looking for book recommendations. Even if that means creeping on people reading in public. Which she does frequently. She makes her home in Arizona with her husband, and their two children.
In both YA and MG I would love to see some more gothic stories. Secret societies, creepy old mansions, and morally questionable science experiments always get me excited. I even have a soft spot for serial killer stories–especially if they’re heavy on the psychological thrills and not gore. I adore Maureen Johnson’s Shades of London series. She balances humor and horror in the most compelling way.
Specifically in YA, I love thrillers with twists! I will never forget the way I felt when I read Daphne DuMaurier’s REBECCA for the first time. Or Elizabeth Wein’s CODE NAME VERITY. Or everything Gillian Flynn has ever written. I love them dark; I love them twisty. It’s fascinating to push characters to the very edge and see how they respond.Another thing I’d like to see more is reworked classics. Not necessarily Jane Austin or William Shakespeare; those have been done. (Though I love “Clueless” and “10 Things I Hate About You” as much as the next girl.) TILL WE HAVE FACES by CS Lewis is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s mythology and sisters. I’m a sucker for both of those things. So, someone write that for me, please? Retellings of classics are great for a few reasons, they make classics accessible to a new audience and they spark nostalgia for those of us who loved the original.
Sci-fi and fantasy: For YA or MG I would love to sign something akin to “Firefly”. I’m not sure if I love the rebel-with-a-cause attitude or the ensemble cast more. Typically, I prefer my sci-fi set in space, not on earth. The beauty of sci-fi is the boundless universe. I like to get off planet earth and discover what else is out there. Also, I would love to see more LGBTQ characters in sci-fi and fantasy. For me, the most exciting stories reinvent typical tropes! Go ahead, send me characters who break the rules.
What you’re hearing is: I love plot/action driven books. Character development, beautiful prose, and romantic tension are important, but action keeps me reading into the wee hours of the morning.
Website|Twitter
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Jess Dallow of Brower Literary
Having grown up with the same name as her favorite Sweet Valley High twin, Jess has always had a love for books, especially those that feature well developed, strong female characters. She is fascinated with complex characters and a world that she can fall in love with, stories that make her want to sob and laugh within minutes of each other, and a book that she can’t put down no matter what time it is or what rerun of SVU is on. She has a BFA in Writing for Film and Television from the University of the Arts and worked in entertainment for eight years before returning to her home state of NY where she worked at a literary agency for two years before joining Brower Literary & Management.
Jess Dallow is interested in both YA and adult commercial fiction with a focus in romance, family stories, thrillers, mystery, and women’s fiction. She loves strong, complex female characters, worlds that she can fall in love with, stories that make her want to sob and laugh within minutes of each other, and a book that she can’t put down no matter what time it is. She is not looking to currently represent picture or chapter books.
Website|Twitter
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Hattie Grunewald of Blake Friedmann Literary
Hattie is looking for women's fiction, crime and thrillers outside of the 'male cop, dead woman' mould, speculative fiction and realistic YA and middle-grade fiction. In non-fiction, she is looking for personal development, accessible books about politics, economics and science, and funny and clever narrative non-fiction. She is not currently accepting fantasy or fiction set before 1900, and she hates sport - sorry!Specifically (but not exclusively), Hattie loves: love stories, especially slow-burners or ones disguised as something else; dysfunctional families (particularly step families, or dads who are neither deadbeats nor heroes); large sprawling casts of diverse and believable characters; authors from under-represented backgrounds; books that aren't afraid to call themselves feminist; books about mental health; blogs and tweets and writers that understand social media; pop culture; anything to do with food.Website|Twitter____________________________________________________________Jennifer Azantian of Azantian Literary
Founder Jennifer Azantian graduated with a B.S. in clinical and developmental psychology from the University of California, San Diego where she was an executive editor for the Trition Psychology Report. In 2011, she began her agenting career, first as an intern and then as an assistant and associate, at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. In 2014, while working with senior agent and entertainment lawyer Paul Levine, Jennifer opened her own agency specializing in speculative fiction.
Jennifer is particularly interested in stories that explore meaningful human interactions against fantastic backdrops, underrepresented voices, literary science fiction, historical fantasy, creepy stories for young readers, humorous space operas, well-crafted and hopeful futures, internally consistent epic fantasy, obscure retold fairy tales, modernized mythologies, and eccentric protagonists. She brings to her clients a passion for literature born of a writer's heart, an editorial eye honed from reviewing thousands of projects, and contract knowledge empowered by guidance from her mentor Paul Levine. She is also a conference and convention regular who has spoken at and provided critiques for SCBWI, ConDor Con, SCWC, WNBA-LA, Literary Orange, GLAWS, Cascade Writers' Workshop, and more.
Website|Twitter
May 11, 2017
Query Kombat Judge Nicknames for 2017
Since the kontestants get to invent amazing nicknames, naturally the judges want one, too! Plus it lets them vote with more freedom. To recognize our wonderful judges and know the vote is legit, here is a list of the nicknames they have chosen:
Dancing PenguinPolgaraCreature of the SeaBoadiceaBellaThe QuarterbackOuter Space Potato ManThe SarowsNodody of ConsequenceRey RocksPink RangerDirk GentlyThe OutsiderWildflowerMagentaHobbesSailor Sun!Oh at AllCat AttackProfessor McGonagallSilent SirenVera BrittainPiano NinjaSonya BladeMoonstone DragonAnd PeggyLiterary LadyPrecious PlumWriting WandaSpitfireBrimful of AshaVanellope von SchweetzShelby WyattTinkerhornRural JurorGingerUnicorn FrappeIrma PinceLurleen LumpkinAuroraLumpy Space AuthorChief DoodlerJavy BaezMolly Millions
Mango Tango
It's fantastically fun to be silly sometimes and our judges had a blast choosing these names. We hope you'll have fun choosing an inventive nickname for your story!
And speaking of fun!
The chance to chat with our judges is Friday, May 12th and Tuesday, May 23rd!
Join us on the hashtag #QKChat at 3:00 pm EST and 8:00 pm EST to ask questions about the contest and writing in general. You can ask writers who are further along on their journey what submission is like or how they promo or what they said during their call. Just don't ask them to reveal their secret nickname. :-)
Remember submission for Query Kombat is just a few days away on Wednesday, May 17th.
May 9, 2017
Query Kombat 2017 Surprise!
The QK Crew has a spectacular surprise for our Query Kombat hopefuls!
With an estimated 300+ people joining in on the fun this year, we figured we needed a place to bring together our agents, editors, industry professionals, and kombatants. Not only that, but we wanted a place for entrants who don't make it into the tournament to find advice, friends, and support.
So, if you plan on entering the tournament or just rooting for your favorite entry, join us in our new forum.
There's also a place to get feedback on your query and first 250. And who knows who might reply to your post!
Remember: Forums are open to the public, and agents/contest hosts/PitchWars mentors will be watching. Please give other posters the same respect and consideration you’d want them to give you.
Final note: Sincerest apologies for the lack of non-typical gender options when creating a profile in our forum. Proboards hasn't quite gotten with the times. I've put a bug in their ear. Hopefully this time next year, the login in process will be more inclusive. After creating your profile, to hide the gender from your posts, go to Profile -> Edit Profile -> Privacy -> Gender Visibility.
With an estimated 300+ people joining in on the fun this year, we figured we needed a place to bring together our agents, editors, industry professionals, and kombatants. Not only that, but we wanted a place for entrants who don't make it into the tournament to find advice, friends, and support.
So, if you plan on entering the tournament or just rooting for your favorite entry, join us in our new forum.
There's also a place to get feedback on your query and first 250. And who knows who might reply to your post!
Remember: Forums are open to the public, and agents/contest hosts/PitchWars mentors will be watching. Please give other posters the same respect and consideration you’d want them to give you.
Final note: Sincerest apologies for the lack of non-typical gender options when creating a profile in our forum. Proboards hasn't quite gotten with the times. I've put a bug in their ear. Hopefully this time next year, the login in process will be more inclusive. After creating your profile, to hide the gender from your posts, go to Profile -> Edit Profile -> Privacy -> Gender Visibility.
May 5, 2017
Query Kombat 2017 Judges
Time for our AMAZING lineup of judges for this year's Query Kombat tournament. Many of them were contestants in prior contests. We've worked hard to find authors that form a diverse group of opinions, talents, and specialties from all categories and genres.
Query Kombat would not be possible without the wonderful people who donate their time to help. For this month-long contest, we've recruited forty-five industry professionals to critique entries and vote for a winner of each matchup. Each and every one of these judges is participating out of the kindness of their heart, so please join the QK Crew in thanking them for volunteering.
THANK YOU!
Remember that the best way to thank judges for their time is to buy their books. Michelle has compiled a Goodreads list to make finding the judges' books easier, and they’ve written some great stuff. Also be sure to follow the judges on Twitter.
On Friday, May 12th, we'll be hosting a Twitter party where writers can reach out to the judges and ask questions about their entries, writing, querying, etc. Join us at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST. The hashtag will be #QKChat.
We'll have a second chat to calm raw nerves on May 23rd at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
There are so many judges this year, we're breaking the bios down across all three host blogs. Go here to see them all: Mike, Laura, and Michelle. For a rule refresher, click here.
Now, without further ado, I'd like to introduce one set of judges for Query Kombat 2017.
________________________________________________________________________________
Carrie DuBois-Shaw
Carrie DuBois-Shaw is the co-author (with Betsy Aldredge) of the upcoming YA romance,Sasquatch, Love, and Other Imaginary Things (Simon Pulse, August 8, 2017), which has been called "the most hilarious, charming, feminist Sasquatch-hunting book ever to grace a bookshelf" by author Alison Cherry and “a delightfully quirky and hilarious debut” by Darcy Woods. A retelling of Pride and Prejudice, focusing on a family of Jewish Bigfoot hunters, SASQUATCH was the Grand Champion of Query Kombat in 2014. www.betsyandcarrie.com Twitter @carriedubois
________________________________________________________________________________
Chad Randall
Chad Randall is a speculative fiction writer living in Portland, Oregon. He has a
B.A. in History from the University of Oregon and currently works for lawyers.
His unremarkable origin story involves scribbling adventures where Princess Leia and Han Solo got into all sorts of trouble, and a school project about dogs who got trapped in the mall on the way to dog prom. Now he writes about cowboys and people living on space colonies. He loves fiction where people are constantly running away from things – whether emotional trauma or monsters foaming at the mouth. Twitter: CasterShellNo9
Mark Gottlieb of Trident Media Group is trying to sell his first novel. Chad is a success story from Query Kombat 2016.
________________________________________________________________________________
CM McCoy
Author CM McCoy (aka Colleen Oefelein) has one pointed ear, an 90-pound "puppy" from Hell, and a very active imagination. She’s well aware nobody can say or spell her real last name, hence the pen name. You can call her Colleen.
She’s a retired Air Force officer, an author, a blogger, and the PR manager for Inklings Literary Agency. When she’s not chatting with her imaginary friends, she’s either stuck in a book or interviewing with PEOPLE Magazine, ABC’s 20/20, the local morning news show, or INSIDE EDITION, where she promotes writing for mental and emotional health. She also mentors pre-published authors through workshops and contests and runs Totem Head's Annual Free Writing Contest for Kids, now in its ninth year.
Though she holds 2 Bachelor of Science degrees (Chemical Engineering and German -- Penn State), she's far happier writing near misses and awkward kisses. Some of her off-the-wall talents include speaking in 10-codes (which she learned working 911-dispatch for Alaska State Troopers), flying helicopters, and Irish dance. Her debut, EERIE, a teen paranormal adventure with romance, released in Dec 2015 by Omnific/Simon & Schuster. She has a memoir out on submission to production companies and a picture book out on submission to publishers. She's represented by Michelle Johnson.
In the business world, Colleen is the PR Manager and an associate agent for Inklings Literary Agency.
One of her greatest joys is administrating, judging, and funding the annual free writing contest for kids: Totem Head's Free Writing Contest for Kids, now in its 9th year. When she's not stuck in a book or off on an adventure, she's tending to the North of Normal Book Reviews blog.
Colleen was a contestant in New Agent in 2015 and Pitchslam.
Links★ Website/blog: http://www.cmmccoy.com
★ Twitter (@eerie_o): https://twitter.com/eerie_o
★ Facebook C.M. McCoy: https://www.facebook.com/eeriesaga/
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Gail Villanueva
Gail is a Filipina author based in the Philippines. She runs a design studio with her husband in the outskirts of Manila, but also does freelance copywriting on the side. When not in front of her computer coding a website or writing a story, you’ll find her in the backyard, playing with four dogs, five ducks, a chicken, a turtle, and a cat. Gail writes upmarket MG, both historical and contemporary, and with elements of magic. Her fiction is represented by Alyssa Eisner Henkin of Trident Media Group.
Website: www.gaildvillanueva.comTwitter: @gaildvillanuevaInstagram: @gaildvillanuevaPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gaildvillanueva/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gaildvillanueva/
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Jamie Howard
Jamie Howard is a legal and compliance specialist by day, author by night, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art. When she’s not tapping away at the keyboard or capturing the world through her trusty Canon, you can find her binge-watching TV shows, devouring books, and perfecting her gaming skills. She lives with her husband and three children in New Jersey, and is almost always awake early enough to see the sun rise, even on the weekends.
Jamie is the author of Until We Break, Until It’s Right, All The Ways You Saved Me, and The Feeling of Forever with St. Martin’s Press. She is represented by Jessica Watterson of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. Twitter: @JRHoward9
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Judy Clements
Judy Clemens, aka JC Lane, is the author of TAG, YOU'RE DEAD, which was a 2014 QK Kontestant and the YA winner (and overall runner-up) that year. TAG has been nominated for an Agatha award for Best Children's/YA mystery of 2016. As Judy Clemens she writes mysteries for adults, including the Agatha- and Anthony-nominated Stella Crown series, the Grim Reaper mysteries, and the stand-alone LOST SONS. She is a past-president of Sisters in Crime, an organization whose mission is to support female crime writers, and she is represented by Uwe Stender of TriadaUS Literary Agency.
Websites:http://www.jclanebooks.comhttp://www.judyclemens.com
Twitter: @judyclemens1Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judyclemensauthor/
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Kat Hinkel
Kat Hinkel is a speculative thriller writer living in Philadelphia. She is a Pitch Wars 2015 alum (and Michelle's mentee) and is represented by Jaida Temperly at New Leaf. You can often find her drinking old fashioneds at costume parties, playing music, or (obviously) writing.
Twitter: @kathinkel
Website: www.kathinkel.squarespace.com
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Kim Long
Kim Long is an attorney in the Chicagoland area, where she spends her days expressing her clients’ (always true) stories to judges and juries. She writes MG and YA contemporary fantasy that contain a sprinkle of science and is represented by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger. When not managing her fantasy baseball and football teams, she can be found biking, watching Star Wars for the zillionth time, or teaching her nieces about the importance of choosing the correct racer (Toad) and vehicle (standard bike) to obtain success in Mario Kart.
Kim was a contestant in Query Kombat 2014.
twitter: @theSol23website: KimLongWritesHere.blogspot.com
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Kimberly Ito
Kimberly Ito writes realistic contemporary fiction for teenagers and teenagers-at-heart. She has a passion for angst, romance, and non-traditionally beautiful characters. When she isn't writing, she can be found reading (of course!), butchering power ballads at karaoke, playing with her kids and pets, and speculating about the next Star Wars. She also works as a freelance editor, proofreader, and Japanese-to-English translator. Kimberly lives outside of Tokyo with her family, and is represented by Brooks Sherman at the Bent Agency.
kimberlyito.com
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Lisa Koosis
In addition to writing novels for young adults, Lisa A. Koosis in a prize-winning short story writer, whose work has appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Family Circle, The Poughkeepsie Journal, and the Hugo-nominated Abyss & Apex. Lisa is a member of the SCBWI, an ambassador for National Novel Writing Month, and an active member of her local writing community. She’s also a complete sucker for weird science facts. Her debut YA sci-fi novel, RESURRECTING SUNSHINE, came out in 2016.
Website: http://www.lisakoosis.com/Blog: http://writingonthinice.blogspot.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MidnightZooFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisaakoosis/Resurrecting Sunshine Buy Link: http://a.co/4DKVYo5
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Richard Pearson
Richard Taylor Pearson is a triple threat: author, actor, and attorney. He grew up
in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he appeared in many plays and musicals. After graduating from Rhodes College, Richard went on to obtain a law degree from Rutgers School of Law. While he works as an attorney by day, his nights and weekends are spent writing novels and performing in theatrical events all over New York City. Richard lives in Jersey City with his husband, Brian, and their daughter, Natalie. His debut novel, The Role, was published by Lethe Press in May of 2016.
Blog: http://www.richardtpearson.com/
FB: http://facebook.com/authorrtp
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/authorrtp
G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+RichardPearsonAuthor/about
The Role: http://www.lethepressbooks.com/store/p338/The_Role.html
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Sarah Jamila Stevenson
Sarah Jamila Stevenson is a writer, artist, editor and graphic designer in Northern California. She is the author of three YA novels: THE LATTE REBELLION (Flux, 2011), UNDERNEATH (Flux, 2013) and THE TRUTH AGAINST THE WORLD (Flux, 2014). Her first novel for young adults, THE LATTE REBELLION, was a Scholastic Book Club pick as well as an IPPY Bronze Medalist in Multicultural Children's Fiction. Her work has been featured on Capital Public Radio's Insight and NPR's Tell Me More with Michel Martin. She is also an active blogger: since 2005 she has been posting children's literature reviews and information at Finding Wonderland (writingya.blogspot.com), a blog she shares with fellow young adult author Tanita S. Davis, and she is a regular participant in the Cybils Awards.
Website: http://www.sarahjamilastevenson.comBlog: http://writingya.blogspot.comTwitter: @aquafortis
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Teresa Frohock
T. Frohock has turned a love of dark fantasy and history into tales of deliciously creepy fiction. She lives in North Carolina, where she has long been accused of telling stories, which is a southern colloquialism for lying.She is the author of Miserere: An Autumn Tale and several short stories. Her newest series, Los Nefilim, is from Harper Voyager Impulse.
You can keep up with Teresa at Twitter (https://twitter.com/T_Frohock), or her website (www.tfrohock.com).
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Tracy Townsend
Tracy Townsend holds a Master’s degree in Writing & Rhetoric from DePaul University and a Bachelor’s degree in creative writing from DePauw University, a source of regular consternation when proofreading her credentials. She is chair of the English Department at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, an elite public boarding school, where she teaches creative writing and science fiction & fantasy literature. She has been a martial arts instructor, a stage combat and accent coach, and a short-order cook for houses full of tired gamers. Now she lives in Bolingbrook, Illinois with two bumptious hounds, two remarkable children, and one very patient husband. Her short story, “Late Arrivals,” was published by Luna Station Quarterly in March 2016. Her debut novel, The Nine, is the first in a clockpunk fantasy trilogy from Pyr (November 14, 2017).
links: https://www.tracytownsend.net/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheStorymaticGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34437448-the-nine?ac=1&from_search=true
Tracy got her agent from Nightmare on Query Street in 2013.
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Wade Albert White
Wade Albert White is the author of the middle grade novel, The Adventurer’s Guide to Successful Escapes (a 2016 BEA middle grade Buzz Book and an ABA Indies Introduce selection), and its forthcoming sequel, The Adventurer’s Guide to Dragons (and Why They Keep Biting Me). In addition to writing, he teaches part time, animates for fun, and works hard to maintain his title as the slowest 10K runner—ever. Also, he owns one pretend cat and one real one, and they get along fabulously. He is represented by Elizabeth Kaplan of the Elizabeth Kaplan Literary Agency.
Twitter: @wadealbertwhiteWebsite: wadealbertwhite.com
Wade was the MG champion in Query Kombat 2014.
________________________________________________________________________________
Query Kombat would not be possible without the wonderful people who donate their time to help. For this month-long contest, we've recruited forty-five industry professionals to critique entries and vote for a winner of each matchup. Each and every one of these judges is participating out of the kindness of their heart, so please join the QK Crew in thanking them for volunteering.
THANK YOU!
Remember that the best way to thank judges for their time is to buy their books. Michelle has compiled a Goodreads list to make finding the judges' books easier, and they’ve written some great stuff. Also be sure to follow the judges on Twitter.
On Friday, May 12th, we'll be hosting a Twitter party where writers can reach out to the judges and ask questions about their entries, writing, querying, etc. Join us at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST. The hashtag will be #QKChat.
We'll have a second chat to calm raw nerves on May 23rd at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
There are so many judges this year, we're breaking the bios down across all three host blogs. Go here to see them all: Mike, Laura, and Michelle. For a rule refresher, click here.
Now, without further ado, I'd like to introduce one set of judges for Query Kombat 2017.
________________________________________________________________________________
Carrie DuBois-Shaw
Carrie DuBois-Shaw is the co-author (with Betsy Aldredge) of the upcoming YA romance,Sasquatch, Love, and Other Imaginary Things (Simon Pulse, August 8, 2017), which has been called "the most hilarious, charming, feminist Sasquatch-hunting book ever to grace a bookshelf" by author Alison Cherry and “a delightfully quirky and hilarious debut” by Darcy Woods. A retelling of Pride and Prejudice, focusing on a family of Jewish Bigfoot hunters, SASQUATCH was the Grand Champion of Query Kombat in 2014. www.betsyandcarrie.com Twitter @carriedubois
________________________________________________________________________________
Chad Randall
Chad Randall is a speculative fiction writer living in Portland, Oregon. He has a
B.A. in History from the University of Oregon and currently works for lawyers.His unremarkable origin story involves scribbling adventures where Princess Leia and Han Solo got into all sorts of trouble, and a school project about dogs who got trapped in the mall on the way to dog prom. Now he writes about cowboys and people living on space colonies. He loves fiction where people are constantly running away from things – whether emotional trauma or monsters foaming at the mouth. Twitter: CasterShellNo9
Mark Gottlieb of Trident Media Group is trying to sell his first novel. Chad is a success story from Query Kombat 2016.
________________________________________________________________________________
CM McCoy
Author CM McCoy (aka Colleen Oefelein) has one pointed ear, an 90-pound "puppy" from Hell, and a very active imagination. She’s well aware nobody can say or spell her real last name, hence the pen name. You can call her Colleen.She’s a retired Air Force officer, an author, a blogger, and the PR manager for Inklings Literary Agency. When she’s not chatting with her imaginary friends, she’s either stuck in a book or interviewing with PEOPLE Magazine, ABC’s 20/20, the local morning news show, or INSIDE EDITION, where she promotes writing for mental and emotional health. She also mentors pre-published authors through workshops and contests and runs Totem Head's Annual Free Writing Contest for Kids, now in its ninth year.
Though she holds 2 Bachelor of Science degrees (Chemical Engineering and German -- Penn State), she's far happier writing near misses and awkward kisses. Some of her off-the-wall talents include speaking in 10-codes (which she learned working 911-dispatch for Alaska State Troopers), flying helicopters, and Irish dance. Her debut, EERIE, a teen paranormal adventure with romance, released in Dec 2015 by Omnific/Simon & Schuster. She has a memoir out on submission to production companies and a picture book out on submission to publishers. She's represented by Michelle Johnson.In the business world, Colleen is the PR Manager and an associate agent for Inklings Literary Agency.
One of her greatest joys is administrating, judging, and funding the annual free writing contest for kids: Totem Head's Free Writing Contest for Kids, now in its 9th year. When she's not stuck in a book or off on an adventure, she's tending to the North of Normal Book Reviews blog.
Colleen was a contestant in New Agent in 2015 and Pitchslam.
Links★ Website/blog: http://www.cmmccoy.com
★ Twitter (@eerie_o): https://twitter.com/eerie_o
★ Facebook C.M. McCoy: https://www.facebook.com/eeriesaga/
________________________________________________________________________________
Gail Villanueva
Gail is a Filipina author based in the Philippines. She runs a design studio with her husband in the outskirts of Manila, but also does freelance copywriting on the side. When not in front of her computer coding a website or writing a story, you’ll find her in the backyard, playing with four dogs, five ducks, a chicken, a turtle, and a cat. Gail writes upmarket MG, both historical and contemporary, and with elements of magic. Her fiction is represented by Alyssa Eisner Henkin of Trident Media Group.Website: www.gaildvillanueva.comTwitter: @gaildvillanuevaInstagram: @gaildvillanuevaPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gaildvillanueva/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gaildvillanueva/
________________________________________________________________________________
Jamie Howard
Jamie Howard is a legal and compliance specialist by day, author by night, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art. When she’s not tapping away at the keyboard or capturing the world through her trusty Canon, you can find her binge-watching TV shows, devouring books, and perfecting her gaming skills. She lives with her husband and three children in New Jersey, and is almost always awake early enough to see the sun rise, even on the weekends.
Jamie is the author of Until We Break, Until It’s Right, All The Ways You Saved Me, and The Feeling of Forever with St. Martin’s Press. She is represented by Jessica Watterson of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. Twitter: @JRHoward9
________________________________________________________________________________
Judy Clements
Judy Clemens, aka JC Lane, is the author of TAG, YOU'RE DEAD, which was a 2014 QK Kontestant and the YA winner (and overall runner-up) that year. TAG has been nominated for an Agatha award for Best Children's/YA mystery of 2016. As Judy Clemens she writes mysteries for adults, including the Agatha- and Anthony-nominated Stella Crown series, the Grim Reaper mysteries, and the stand-alone LOST SONS. She is a past-president of Sisters in Crime, an organization whose mission is to support female crime writers, and she is represented by Uwe Stender of TriadaUS Literary Agency.
Websites:http://www.jclanebooks.comhttp://www.judyclemens.com
Twitter: @judyclemens1Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judyclemensauthor/
________________________________________________________________________________
Kat Hinkel
Kat Hinkel is a speculative thriller writer living in Philadelphia. She is a Pitch Wars 2015 alum (and Michelle's mentee) and is represented by Jaida Temperly at New Leaf. You can often find her drinking old fashioneds at costume parties, playing music, or (obviously) writing.
Twitter: @kathinkel
Website: www.kathinkel.squarespace.com
________________________________________________________________________________
Kim Long
Kim Long is an attorney in the Chicagoland area, where she spends her days expressing her clients’ (always true) stories to judges and juries. She writes MG and YA contemporary fantasy that contain a sprinkle of science and is represented by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger. When not managing her fantasy baseball and football teams, she can be found biking, watching Star Wars for the zillionth time, or teaching her nieces about the importance of choosing the correct racer (Toad) and vehicle (standard bike) to obtain success in Mario Kart.
Kim was a contestant in Query Kombat 2014.
twitter: @theSol23website: KimLongWritesHere.blogspot.com
________________________________________________________________________________
Kimberly Ito
Kimberly Ito writes realistic contemporary fiction for teenagers and teenagers-at-heart. She has a passion for angst, romance, and non-traditionally beautiful characters. When she isn't writing, she can be found reading (of course!), butchering power ballads at karaoke, playing with her kids and pets, and speculating about the next Star Wars. She also works as a freelance editor, proofreader, and Japanese-to-English translator. Kimberly lives outside of Tokyo with her family, and is represented by Brooks Sherman at the Bent Agency.
kimberlyito.com
________________________________________________________________________________
Lisa Koosis
In addition to writing novels for young adults, Lisa A. Koosis in a prize-winning short story writer, whose work has appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Family Circle, The Poughkeepsie Journal, and the Hugo-nominated Abyss & Apex. Lisa is a member of the SCBWI, an ambassador for National Novel Writing Month, and an active member of her local writing community. She’s also a complete sucker for weird science facts. Her debut YA sci-fi novel, RESURRECTING SUNSHINE, came out in 2016.
Website: http://www.lisakoosis.com/Blog: http://writingonthinice.blogspot.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MidnightZooFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisaakoosis/Resurrecting Sunshine Buy Link: http://a.co/4DKVYo5
________________________________________________________________________________
Richard Pearson
Richard Taylor Pearson is a triple threat: author, actor, and attorney. He grew up
in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he appeared in many plays and musicals. After graduating from Rhodes College, Richard went on to obtain a law degree from Rutgers School of Law. While he works as an attorney by day, his nights and weekends are spent writing novels and performing in theatrical events all over New York City. Richard lives in Jersey City with his husband, Brian, and their daughter, Natalie. His debut novel, The Role, was published by Lethe Press in May of 2016.
Blog: http://www.richardtpearson.com/
FB: http://facebook.com/authorrtp
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/authorrtp
G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+RichardPearsonAuthor/about
The Role: http://www.lethepressbooks.com/store/p338/The_Role.html
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Sarah Jamila Stevenson
Sarah Jamila Stevenson is a writer, artist, editor and graphic designer in Northern California. She is the author of three YA novels: THE LATTE REBELLION (Flux, 2011), UNDERNEATH (Flux, 2013) and THE TRUTH AGAINST THE WORLD (Flux, 2014). Her first novel for young adults, THE LATTE REBELLION, was a Scholastic Book Club pick as well as an IPPY Bronze Medalist in Multicultural Children's Fiction. Her work has been featured on Capital Public Radio's Insight and NPR's Tell Me More with Michel Martin. She is also an active blogger: since 2005 she has been posting children's literature reviews and information at Finding Wonderland (writingya.blogspot.com), a blog she shares with fellow young adult author Tanita S. Davis, and she is a regular participant in the Cybils Awards.
Website: http://www.sarahjamilastevenson.comBlog: http://writingya.blogspot.comTwitter: @aquafortis
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Teresa Frohock
T. Frohock has turned a love of dark fantasy and history into tales of deliciously creepy fiction. She lives in North Carolina, where she has long been accused of telling stories, which is a southern colloquialism for lying.She is the author of Miserere: An Autumn Tale and several short stories. Her newest series, Los Nefilim, is from Harper Voyager Impulse.
You can keep up with Teresa at Twitter (https://twitter.com/T_Frohock), or her website (www.tfrohock.com).
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Tracy Townsend
Tracy Townsend holds a Master’s degree in Writing & Rhetoric from DePaul University and a Bachelor’s degree in creative writing from DePauw University, a source of regular consternation when proofreading her credentials. She is chair of the English Department at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, an elite public boarding school, where she teaches creative writing and science fiction & fantasy literature. She has been a martial arts instructor, a stage combat and accent coach, and a short-order cook for houses full of tired gamers. Now she lives in Bolingbrook, Illinois with two bumptious hounds, two remarkable children, and one very patient husband. Her short story, “Late Arrivals,” was published by Luna Station Quarterly in March 2016. Her debut novel, The Nine, is the first in a clockpunk fantasy trilogy from Pyr (November 14, 2017).
links: https://www.tracytownsend.net/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheStorymaticGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34437448-the-nine?ac=1&from_search=true
Tracy got her agent from Nightmare on Query Street in 2013.
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Wade Albert White
Wade Albert White is the author of the middle grade novel, The Adventurer’s Guide to Successful Escapes (a 2016 BEA middle grade Buzz Book and an ABA Indies Introduce selection), and its forthcoming sequel, The Adventurer’s Guide to Dragons (and Why They Keep Biting Me). In addition to writing, he teaches part time, animates for fun, and works hard to maintain his title as the slowest 10K runner—ever. Also, he owns one pretend cat and one real one, and they get along fabulously. He is represented by Elizabeth Kaplan of the Elizabeth Kaplan Literary Agency.
Twitter: @wadealbertwhiteWebsite: wadealbertwhite.com
Wade was the MG champion in Query Kombat 2014.
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April 30, 2017
Quick Writing Advice from Twitter
The other night I got inspired to tweet some writing advice tips. I thought I'd expand on those a little here.
Do unto other writers the good you wish they would do unto you. Even when no one is watching. Help each other after published too.
This goes beyond retweeting for each other and congratulations at their successes. You can also be moral support when someone is having a tough time. Enter your fellow writer's giveaways. Most writers are also readers. Consider purchasing their books if they interest you and leaving reviews. Give back by doing critiques or joining contests as judges and mentors. Do all the good you can for each other.
If your first chapter doesn't accomplish mutiple goals and foreshadow, rewrite it until it does. #writingtips Foreshadow can be added after.
First chapters have to be big workhorses. You need them to accomplish several goals: character introduction and development, plot introduction or foreshadowing, world building, establishing conflict, and so on. It should also create some way for the reader to connect with the opening of the story maybe by making the reader curious about what comes next or through building sympathy with the characters. Foreshadowing can be added after the first draft is done and edited in.
By foreshadowing I mean things like showing your MC is afraid of heights and then having that fear be a part of the finale chapters. Or in Grudging, the characters play a trick on the enemy in the first chapter and the ending revolves around another sort of trick. But your foreshadowing can be as simple as hinting at the conflict/antagonist that hasn't been revealed yet.
Description can show the setting. Even better if it also shows something about your character's personality or sets the mood. #writingtips
When describing the setting try and make sure the words create the proper mood in the reader. A huge bonus is if you can use something from the setting to help show parts of your character's personality or their emotions. This can be done with actions or with introspective.
Vary your sentence length and structure unless you want to put your reader to sleep. #writingtips
This can take practice but make sure to vary the length of your sentences--some long, more medium, and short--and incorporate various sentence structures in each paragraph. If all the sentences syntax is similar, it creates a singsong rhythm in your reader's head and becomes really boring. Watch out and avoid it.
Celebrate small successes when querying or you won't get through the rejection. #writingtips Don't second guess yourself.
My family used to get ice cream at the Dairy Queen down the street whenever I got a full or partial request back when I was querying. I helped get me through all the rejection. We did somewhat the same when I had books out on submission. Rejection can be crushing to the spirit, so treat yourself when you have a positive accomplishment.
Don't waste time with thinking "oh I should have done this" or "I should have done that." Whatever it was is done. Spend your energy on deciding how to proceed in the now.
Avoid a mushy middle section by always have goals for each chapter to accomplish. #writingtips
This works for me and I hope it will for you. Have an established goal in mind when writing each chapter in the middle sections of your manuscript. Have each scene advance the plot, or advance the understanding of the characters, or advance the conflict, or advance the world building information for example. Even better if you do several of these in the same scene.
Check how much character introspective or reflection there is in your favorite books. Probably more than you expect. #writingtips
You're likely to be surprised at how much character thought/introspection or reflection there is in each page, let alone each chapter. Your character needs to think about themselves, other characters, the situation, their feelings and a huge variety of subjects. This helps draw the reader closer to the character, builds a relationship between reader and character. I think a lot of more beginning writers try to limit this use of inner thought because they think it's telling. Sometimes it is. And you have to learn when it's needed and when it's too much. That comes with practice. But you can learn a lot about when to use it from your favorite books.
Trust your writing instinct. If you have writers block, there's probably something wrong with the direction of your story. #writingtips
This is another one that is often true for me. Whenever I get stuck in my writing, it's usually because the story is headed in the wrong direction. It isn't necessarily always a big problem that needs fixed; sometimes it can just be the trend of one conversation being slightly off. Just be aware of what your instincts are telling you.
If you feel like the story is too flat, it may be time to add more conflict. If you feel readers will be bored than you are likely right. Perhaps you have some chapters that aren't achieving any goals and could be cut.
This can be true when you're querying also. Listen to your inner voice because it could be leading you in the right direction.
Don't expect your first writings to be masterpieces. There is a learning curve to everything and writing has rules just like any other job.
Writing is a profession, and with any profession there is a learning curve. There are rules to writing and techniques and skill involved. It will take more than one or two manuscripts to learn them all or to become skilled at using them. Be patient with yourself and just be aware that you will probably grow as a writer. It's an acquired skill and we are all learning.
This is true about writing query letters and synopsis also. They get better over time.
Best way to become a better writer is to read a lot of books in your genre. #writingtips #amwriting
My favorite advice. Read. Read in your genre. You'll pick up so much. Timing, pacing, the amounts of description, introspective and characterization to add. When to throw in a twist. When to change the direction of the story. The list of things to notice in successful books is never ending.
Do unto other writers the good you wish they would do unto you. Even when no one is watching. Help each other after published too.
This goes beyond retweeting for each other and congratulations at their successes. You can also be moral support when someone is having a tough time. Enter your fellow writer's giveaways. Most writers are also readers. Consider purchasing their books if they interest you and leaving reviews. Give back by doing critiques or joining contests as judges and mentors. Do all the good you can for each other.
If your first chapter doesn't accomplish mutiple goals and foreshadow, rewrite it until it does. #writingtips Foreshadow can be added after.
First chapters have to be big workhorses. You need them to accomplish several goals: character introduction and development, plot introduction or foreshadowing, world building, establishing conflict, and so on. It should also create some way for the reader to connect with the opening of the story maybe by making the reader curious about what comes next or through building sympathy with the characters. Foreshadowing can be added after the first draft is done and edited in.
By foreshadowing I mean things like showing your MC is afraid of heights and then having that fear be a part of the finale chapters. Or in Grudging, the characters play a trick on the enemy in the first chapter and the ending revolves around another sort of trick. But your foreshadowing can be as simple as hinting at the conflict/antagonist that hasn't been revealed yet.
Description can show the setting. Even better if it also shows something about your character's personality or sets the mood. #writingtips
When describing the setting try and make sure the words create the proper mood in the reader. A huge bonus is if you can use something from the setting to help show parts of your character's personality or their emotions. This can be done with actions or with introspective.
Vary your sentence length and structure unless you want to put your reader to sleep. #writingtips
This can take practice but make sure to vary the length of your sentences--some long, more medium, and short--and incorporate various sentence structures in each paragraph. If all the sentences syntax is similar, it creates a singsong rhythm in your reader's head and becomes really boring. Watch out and avoid it.
Celebrate small successes when querying or you won't get through the rejection. #writingtips Don't second guess yourself.
My family used to get ice cream at the Dairy Queen down the street whenever I got a full or partial request back when I was querying. I helped get me through all the rejection. We did somewhat the same when I had books out on submission. Rejection can be crushing to the spirit, so treat yourself when you have a positive accomplishment.
Don't waste time with thinking "oh I should have done this" or "I should have done that." Whatever it was is done. Spend your energy on deciding how to proceed in the now.
Avoid a mushy middle section by always have goals for each chapter to accomplish. #writingtips
This works for me and I hope it will for you. Have an established goal in mind when writing each chapter in the middle sections of your manuscript. Have each scene advance the plot, or advance the understanding of the characters, or advance the conflict, or advance the world building information for example. Even better if you do several of these in the same scene.
Check how much character introspective or reflection there is in your favorite books. Probably more than you expect. #writingtips
You're likely to be surprised at how much character thought/introspection or reflection there is in each page, let alone each chapter. Your character needs to think about themselves, other characters, the situation, their feelings and a huge variety of subjects. This helps draw the reader closer to the character, builds a relationship between reader and character. I think a lot of more beginning writers try to limit this use of inner thought because they think it's telling. Sometimes it is. And you have to learn when it's needed and when it's too much. That comes with practice. But you can learn a lot about when to use it from your favorite books.
Trust your writing instinct. If you have writers block, there's probably something wrong with the direction of your story. #writingtips
This is another one that is often true for me. Whenever I get stuck in my writing, it's usually because the story is headed in the wrong direction. It isn't necessarily always a big problem that needs fixed; sometimes it can just be the trend of one conversation being slightly off. Just be aware of what your instincts are telling you.
If you feel like the story is too flat, it may be time to add more conflict. If you feel readers will be bored than you are likely right. Perhaps you have some chapters that aren't achieving any goals and could be cut.
This can be true when you're querying also. Listen to your inner voice because it could be leading you in the right direction.
Don't expect your first writings to be masterpieces. There is a learning curve to everything and writing has rules just like any other job.
Writing is a profession, and with any profession there is a learning curve. There are rules to writing and techniques and skill involved. It will take more than one or two manuscripts to learn them all or to become skilled at using them. Be patient with yourself and just be aware that you will probably grow as a writer. It's an acquired skill and we are all learning.
This is true about writing query letters and synopsis also. They get better over time.
Best way to become a better writer is to read a lot of books in your genre. #writingtips #amwriting
My favorite advice. Read. Read in your genre. You'll pick up so much. Timing, pacing, the amounts of description, introspective and characterization to add. When to throw in a twist. When to change the direction of the story. The list of things to notice in successful books is never ending.
April 19, 2017
Query Kombat 2017 Free Pass
Free Pass! Free Pass!
I really love doing these! It's like a random act of kindness. It allows one person who might not have made it into the contest to have a shot at the agents. The free pass winner will skip the slush and become one of my final picks for #QueryKombat!
You'll only have to survive the round one battle to go to the agent round!
And you are guaranteed constructive comments from the judges!
The Free Pass is the great equalizer!
That's the way to hit it out of the ballpark!
Did I mention that we have 30 agents already? 30 agents!
So here we go:
1. Leave a blog comment below about what you believe is the BEST thing about online writing contests. No judging here. Just what aspect gives you the most benefit.
2. You also need to use the rafflecopter to record that you left a comment. The rafflecopter will pick the winner. There will be additional options to score more entries and raise your chances. They are options having to do with my books and that's why they are optional, but I appreciate your support!
There is also an extra option to give addition entries to marginalized writers. Use this option (definition taken from DV Pit) if you are:
This includes (but is not limited to): Native peoples and people of color; people living and/or born/raised in underrepresented cultures and countries; disabled persons (including neurodiverse); people living with illness; people on marginalized ends of the socioeconomic, cultural and/or religious spectrum; people identifying within LGBTQIA+; and more.
This free pass will stay open until May 15th. That gives you three and a half weeks. What are you waiting for--get to entering!
AND BE SURE TO ENTER FOR LAURA'S FREE PASS ALSO!
And good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 18, 2017
Query Kombat 2017 Announcement
Bloggers Laura, Michael, and Michelle are back again to bring you the fifth annual Query Kombat tournament.
Contest Mission: To showcase the work of diverse and talented novelists, while providing a learning environment that unites the writing community through knowledge, kindness, and a little friendly kompetition.The Basics
Query Kombat will host 64 kombatants in a single-elimination, tournament style query-off. Entries will go head to head (one on one) with one another until only ONE entry remains. There will be a total of six rounds in Query Kombat. 64 entries in round one, 32 in round two,16 in round three, 8 in round four, 4 in round five, and 2 in round six.
Unlike traditional tournaments, we won't be using tournament brackets. Entries will be matched up based on target audience and genre. We'll continue grouping that way until it's no longer possible.
If you secure a spot in the tournament, your query and the first 250 words of your manuscript (to the end of a complete sentence) will be pitted against another query and first 250 words. Judges will read each match-up and vote 'Victory' on the best entry. Remember, this is subjective. Considering last year, votes may come down to personal tastes.
The entry with the most ‘victories’ at the end of the round will advance to the next round until only one champion remains.
The agent round will be held after the first round. That mean the top 32 entries will make it to the agent round.
Of course, there's a twist!
The agent round will be conducted in secret. And by secret, we mean TOP SECRET. Entrants won't know who requested what—or how much—until that entrant has been eliminated from the contest.
On the plus side, winners of the first round will be able to submit and updated entry prior to the agent round. So, any feedback the judges give can be implemented before the agents see your work.
Who’s Invited to Submit:
The Query Kombat tournament is open only to unagented writers seeking representation. Your manuscript must be complete, polished, and ready to submit.
If your manuscript has been in the agent round of another contest within the last six months, you are not eligible to participate in Query Kombat. Please don’t try to sneak in. The QK team includes about fifty people and a few hundreds of spectators. Someone will notice and inform us.
Submissions for MG, YA, NA, and Adult works will be accepted (Sorry we aren't accepting Picture books or Chapter Books this year.). Only one entry per person. Do not attempt to submit more than one entry by using different email accounts. Again, the QK family is huge. Someone will notice.
Submissions
The submission window will open on May 17th at 9:00 AM Eastern time and close on May 19th at Noon.
We will have email confirmation. If you don't receive it within an hour of submitting your
entry, contact us via twitter and let us know. Kontestants will be revealed on May 26th, and the tournament will kick off on June 2nd.
IMPORTANT: The Query Kombat team reserves the right to disqualify any entrant, at any time, for any reason. If an entrant is disqualified/drops out before the agent round, an alternate from the same host will take its place. If an entrant is disqualified/drops out
after the agent round, the opposing entry will automatically advance to the next round. If an entrant is disqualified/drops out after the agent round but before new match-ups are assigned, match-ups will be assigned by random number generator with one random entry moving forward without a match.
The only time we will ever disqualify an applicant is if you say or do something to blemish the spirit of query contests. Query Kombat is supposed to be fun…
So no fighting!
In order to enter the contest you MUST follow formatting guidelines, and submit during the contest window. All entries that follow said guidelines will be considered.
In the event that we receive more than the available 64 spots (this is highly expected), Michelle, Laura, and I will savagely attack the slush pile in attempts to build the best team. We will pick (and announce) three alternates in case a submission is disqualified.
Entries should be sent to: QueryKombat (at) gmail (dot) com.
Formatting Guidelines:
Font: Times New Roman (or an equivalent), 12pt font, single-spaced with spaces between each paragraph. No (I repeat: NO!) indentations.
Subject line of the Email: A short, unique nickname for your entry [colon] your genre (audience included). Do not skip this step or your entry will be deleted. (ex. I Fell in Love with a Ken Doll: Adult Erotica)
For the nickname, make it as unique as possible so that there are no duplicates. These will be the names used in the tournament (or an abbreviated version if it's too long) so keep it PG-13 and try to have it relate to your story in some way.
In the body of the email (with examples):
Name: Michael AnthonyEmail address: myboyfriendwasbittenbyashark (at) gmail (dot)
com.
Twitter Handle: @BarbforSenate36
Title: Eunuchs and PoliticsEntry Nickname: I Fell in Love with a Ken DollWord count: 72KGenre: Adult Erotica (If Ownvoices please list here)
Query:
Barbara B. Doll seemed like a woman who had it all, from the perfect body to her own dream house, McDonald's and a variety of vehicles. She even managed to become a U.S. Senator and go to the moon! However, something seemed missing. She didn't have any idea what it was until she met Ken.
Ken Dahl is funny, good-looking, and may have ties to the Illuminati. Barbara is immediately drawn to his shiny, perfect hair and teeth. When he offers to teach her surfing, they hit it off instantly. Everything seems to be going perfectly until Barbara discovers Ken has no
genitalia. She must search within herself to determine whether love can
overcome plastic, non-removable underwear.
Eunuchs and Politics is adult romance, complete at 72,000 words.
***THIS is NOT a PITCH but your FULL query. You may include greeting and closing. Do not include a bio or comp title.
First 250:
Words, words, and more words. Don't indent. Do put spaces between paragraphs.
Don't include the chapter title and please if the 250th word puts you in the middle of a sentence, you may go up to 258 to finish the sentence. Do not start a new sentence after the 250th word. Please use Microsoft Word to count. Both Pages and Google Docs will return incorrect word counts if you have hyphens, em-dashes, and ellipses.
Please use this site to give you an accurate word count if you are concerned about your standard word counter: https://wordcounter.net/. If you must, count by hand. A properly hyphenated word is one word. Words separated by an em-dash or ellipse are two words.
All queries submitted are FINAL. We will not edit them in any way, shape, or form. Please read, reread, and rereread your submission before you hit send. You have several weeks to polishyour work. Take advantage of it. Competition will be fierce.
Host Blogs
Because the immense amount of work ahead of us, the tournament will be hosted on three separate blogs. In order to enter the contest, you MUST follow Michael, Michelle, and Laura's blogs (Twitter is cool too). All three blogs will host the first round and agent round. The second round will be hosted by Michael and Michelle.The third round will be hosted by Laura. The fourth round will be hosted by Michael. The fifth round will be hosted by Michelle. The final round will be hosted by Laura. Have no fear, each blog will have links to all rounds so you will not get lost.
Agents and judges will be revealed soon. ( As of now we have 30 agents and 27 judges! )Questions can be left in the comments and I'll answer them as quickly as possible.
One last thing:
Contests are very time-consuming, and in order to continue hosting each year, we’re asking contestants to give a $5-$10 donation when making their entries. Asking for donations is one way to ensure we’re able to give you the time needed to carefully consider every entry. Chosen Kontestants receive feedback from up to 27 agented/published writers on their query and first page, plus the ability to query agents they otherwise may not have connected with. Some agents even read requested contest entries before the rest of the slush pile! All Kontestants, chosen are not, receive free slush tips from the hosts and the camaraderie that develops from entering contests together. Many writers find lifelong critique partners and good friends from these contests (I did).
Donating this year is strictly voluntary. Giving a donation does not increase your chances of being picked. Giving less than $5 or more than $10 will also have no impact on your chances. Donating will not affect how many rounds a person makes it through if chosen. People who are not able to donate will not be disqualified.
Thanks for your understanding and your donations!
Best of luck in the tournament!
April 11, 2017
Release Day for The Island Deception
It's here! It's here! It's finally here! After leaving us all hanging at the end of THE ROGUE RETRIEVAL, Dan Kobolt's second novel in the Gateways to Alissia series, THE ISLAND DECEPTION is now available for your SFF reading pleasure. Here's all the info and buy links on Dan's newest book baby!
Publisher: Harper Voyager ISBN: 9780062659095 Release Date: April 11, 2017
What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas. But what happens after you step through a portal to another world, well...
For stage magician Quinn Bradley, he thought his time in Alissia was over. He'd done his job for the mysterious company CASE Global Enterprises, and now his name is finally on the marquee of one of the biggest Vegas casinos. And yet, for all the accolades, he definitely feels something is missing. He can create the most amazing illusions on Earth, but he's also tasted true power. Real magic.
He misses it.
Luckily--or not--CASE Global is not done with him, and they want him to go back. The first time, he was tasked with finding a missing researcher. Now, though, he has another task:Help take Richard Holt down.
It's impossible to be in Vegas and not be a gambler. And while Quinn might not like his odds--a wyvern nearly ate him the last time he was in Alissia--if he plays his cards right, he might be able to aid his friends.
He also might learn how to use real magic himself.
Continuing the exciting adventures from The Rogue Retrieval, The Island Deception blends fun and mystery into a brilliant new fantasy from Dan Koboldt.
Learn More About The Island Deception
Buy It Now:HarperCollins | Amazon | Kobo | iBooks | B&N |
All e-book formats also available here
About Dan Koboldt Website | Twitter | Mailing List | Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads
Dan Koboldt is a genetics researcher and fantasy/science fiction author from the Midwest. He works for the Institute for Genomic Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where he and his colleagues use next-generation DNA sequencing technologies to uncover the genetic basis of pediatric diseases. He has co-authored more than 70 publications in Nature, Science, The New England Journal of Medicine, and other scientific journals.
Dan is also an avid hunter and outdoorsman. Every fall, he disappears into the woods to pursue whitetail deer and turkey with bow and arrow. He lives with his wife and three children in Ohio, where the deer take their revenge by eating all of the plants in his backyard.
