Son of a Pitch Hosts and Critiquers

Today you get to meet the Hosts for the Author Critique Round and the Authors who will be critiquing and voting for round three. The hosting authors will also be critiquing and voting, so go crazy with the bribery! Heh heh heh... Hosts will decorate their blogs with stuff with the Force, and you can vie to be on a specific host's blog by tweeting team whatever the host is!

Blog Hosts:


Kathleen Palm loves the weird, the scary, and the fantastical. She started writing about twelve years ago with no idea of what she was doing or where the road lined with words would take her. She wrote several manuscripts before finally facing the haunting truth. She wanted her words to be a real book! Choosing the best of the bunch, she queried her YA fantasy FAERIE WIND and, well, failed. The following year, she polished her YA fantasy DOORS and decided to query small presses. After receiving two offers to publish DOORS, she chose REUTS Publishing. The making of the books is a slow endeavor, and she waits for her turn to be a debut author. She writes to pass the time…writing new manuscripts and revising old ones…and has found a love of creating short stories. Her stories DARK WOLF and TOGETHER can be found in the anthology FAIRLY TWISTED TALES FOR A HORRIBLY EVER AFTER. Her horror short WHAT LURKS IN THE DARKNESS can be found in the anthology HALLOWEEN NIGHT: TRICK OR TREAT. Of course, she has a few more on sub, because short stories are fun.She likes to read mostly YA fantasy, the darker the better, and horror. Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Neal Shusterman, Holly Black, Scott Westerfeld, and Amy Lukavics are some of her favorite authors.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT: TRICK OR TREAT AnthologyFAIRLY TWISTED TALES FOR A HORRIBLY EVER AFTER Anthology
DOORS (Goodreads)

Twitter Blog Facebook

Samantha Bryant believes in love, magic, and unexplainable connections between people. Her favorite things are lonely beaches, untamed cliff tops, sunlight through the leaves of trees, summer rains, and children's laughter. She has lived in many places, including rural Alaska, Kansas, Kentucky, Vermont, England and Spain. She is fierce at heart, though she doesn't look it.

She's a fan of Charlotte Brontë, William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Neil Gaiman, Nicole Perlman, and Joss Whedon, among many others. She would like to be Amy Tan when she grows up, but so far it doesn't look like she'll be growing up any time soon.

Samantha writes blogs, poems, essays, and novels. Mostly she writes about things that scare or worry her. It's cheaper than therapy. Someday, she hopes to make her living solely as a writer. In the meantime, she also teaches middle school Spanish, which, admittedly, is an odd choice for money-earning, especially in North Carolina.

When she's not writing or teaching, Samantha enjoys time with her family, watching old movies, baking, reading, and going places. Her favorite gift is tickets (to just about anything).
Her debut novel, Going Through the Change: A Menopausal Superhero Novel is now for sale by Curiosity Quills as is the sequel, Change of Life. You can find her online on her blog,  Twitter, on Facebook, on Amazon, on Goodreads, on the Curiosity Quills page, or on Google+ , and now on Tumblr.


How I Came to Get my Book Deal: Getting my first book contract was a matter of lucky timing and paying attention. While I was still writing the book, I began participating in a lot of forums and groups for writers (digitally and in real life). When authors talked about their experiences, I listened for names as well as direct advice. I'd go look up publishers who had worked with writers I liked and keep a list of places I thought might be a good fit for my work. That's how I heard of Curiosity Quills. Because I'd just spent a year querying another novel at bigger publishers and it had taken that long just to get two nonspecific and non-helpful refusals, I was looking at small, independent publishers. My theory was that the time frame, at least, would be shorter. Because I liked what I saw on their website and couldn't find anything scary about them in the usual places (Preditors and Editors; Writers Beware), I decided to query CQ. I was very lucky in my timing and hit the acquisitions editor at less busy moment. We moved from query to full to contracted book in the space of two weeks, and the book was produced eight months later. That's got to be some kind of speed record!Two years later, I have two other publications out with CQ and a third on the way, so I would say this relationship is going well!
What I Like to Read:

I'm a diverse reader. I like science fiction, fantasy, superhero, cyberpunk, weird, historical, steampunk, comics, post-apocalyptic, literary, women's fiction, fairy tale, ghost, poetry, nonfiction, memoir, horror, comedy, mystery, classic, paranormal, and (some) romance. Really, I'll give just about any sort of book a try. I am drawn in by beautiful language and interesting characters. I love it when a book can surprise me, going a different way than I anticipated, but still going in a way that makes sense to the story as a whole. Since this already feels like a personals ad for books, I'll add: turn-offs include clunky dialogue and stereotypical portrayals.


Like most mad scientists, Rena Rocford has made an art form of living as a muggle. Today the bills, tomorrow the world. From her secret base in California, Rena builds her armies of books, one word at a time. When she isn’t planning for world domination, Rena creates nerdy art and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She unleashed her first book Acne, Asthma, And Other Signs You Might Be Half Dragon, on the world in late 2015.

How I got my book deal:  I had a story that I had queried too early. I'd ambitiously sent it out into the world without as much work as I could have. It came back to me in form rejections, so I kept my chin up and moved on to another project. The second project didn't find a home either, but it did get several revise and resubmits. One of the suggestions in one of those R&Rs seemed like they were talking more about my earlier project, so, for grins and practice (and to keep myself from pulling out my hair), I revised my earlier project. And there just happened to be a contest on the Aussie Owned and Read website. I submitted my pitch and they took me in the contest. Kathleen of Curiosity Quills requested chapters of my manuscript, and the rest happened very quickly. 

Reading preferences: Fantasy, Science Fiction, both in YA and Adult. I've been known to pick up a good general fiction, but I really like there to be a taste of the fantastical.


Elsie Elmore lives in North Carolina with her husband and two kids.
She loves the color red, has an appreciation for chocolate and coffee that borders on obsession, writes stories that challenge the laws of nature, and wishes fall temperatures would linger year round. 
Elsie is a member of  SCBWI, and WSW. The Undead : Playing for Keeps is her debut novel. Find her on the web: on twitter at @ElsieWriter, her blog at www.elsieelmore.com, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elsieelmorewriter.

Road to Pub storyI wrote The Undead during the winter and finalized it mid-summer. I started querying a few agents and then participated in the September #pitmad. I had two requests for partials.That such a great feeling to know you've piqued someone's interest in your work.  About a week afterwards, the full manuscript was requested and I couldn’t push SEND fast enough.

In November, I was offered a contract. I withdrew my queries / partials from other agencies and signed on the dotted line. And of course, went out to dinner to celebrate.


ELIZABETH RODERICK is the author of the LGBT romantic suspense novel, Love or Money, and the magical realism The Other Place Series, which includes The Hustle, The Other Place, Love and War (release date 3/7/17), and Synchronicity, (release date 5/2/17). She has written ten other novels in a wide range of genres, which are in various stages of revision and pitching.She grew up as a barefoot ruffian on a fruit orchard near Yakima, in the eastern part of Washington State. After weathering the grunge revolution and devolution and migrating up and down the West Coast, she is back in Yakima, where she lives in a (mostly) off-grid tiny house she renovated and built herself, and grows most of her own food.She earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, and worked for many years as a paralegal and translator. She is a musician and songwriter, and has played in many bands, rocking some instruments she doesn't even know the real names for, but mostly guitar, bass and keyboards. Elizabeth’s stories are about love, death, gang warfare, and madness. Her characters tend to be of the type that society generally shuns: addicts, convicts, and the neurodiverse. She herself is a neurodiverse person, and has struggled with addiction and other issues. Elizabeth believes if people get to know people who live on the fringes of society, both in stories and in real life, they'll find them more likeable than they originally thought.

Find her on:Amazon Goodreads Twitter Facebook Website

Publication Story:My publication story, like most, is one of perseverance and the desire to learn and improve.I got tired of hearing that my novels were well-written, but that they didn’t quite fit agents’/publishers’ expectations with regard to plot, and/or that they had a hard time identifying with my neurodiverse, homeless, addicted and criminal characters. So, I tried to write a more “traditional” novel—Love or Money, a LGBTQ romantic suspense book. It was my first attempt at romance, and I think I did okay…even though my characters still turned out to be criminals and ruffians. I think I sent one regular query, but otherwise I just pitched it on #PitMad. I got several requests, and two offers. It was published by Limitless Publishing. Limitless has now taken on a good chunk of my backlist, and I’m busy revising my other books, and drafting more, in hopes that more of my stories will find a home.

Wish List:I love pretty much all the books. I write in a stupidly-large range of genres, because I read all those genres.With regard to what I love most, it would be books of all genres with neurodiverse/mentally ill characters, and/or characters that are down-and-out, especially when those characters aren’t objects of pity or contempt, but just people with their own stories to tell. The book doesn’t have to be about “overcoming” their situation or diagnosis…in fact, I’d prefer it weren’t.I also love humorous books, or books with humor as a large part of the voice. I’m also a big fan of YA fantasy of all sorts.Can’t wait to hear about your stories!


Critiquers:


[image error]
Yolanda Ashton is the alter ego of a forty year something mother of three. During the day she’s an educational professional and during the nights (when she’s not daydreaming, reading, cooking, or recovering from a day spent with middle school students) she’s writing. 
My two favorite things to do in the world (outside of family) are reading and writing-I became obessed with words at an early age. I love creating worlds with them and entering new worlds designed by them. Throughout my life I’ve always felt the epitome of a great “me” day is one spent reading a book or creating one.



Things I love:The Vampire Diaries (Hate that this is the last season :( )ButterfliesPop music (I LOVE 90's Music)Super Hero MoviesFavorite Genres to Read:Romance (New Adult, and Paranormal)Young Adult
How I came to get my book deal:In 2011 (after a year of writing and rewriting and building my confidence up) I sent my first manuscript  Sarim's Scent to various epublishers. I was rejected...A LOT!. I did another read through of it and made some changes and submitted to Soulmate Publishing. I was working on my second manuscript and had pretty much accepted that Sarim's Scent was not what epublishers were looking for when I got an email from Soulmate Publishing. After making a few changes Debby suggested, she accepted Sarim's Scent!  It was  along and painful process but definitely worth it!

[image error]Marianne Kirby writes about bodies both real and imagined. She plays with the liminal space between vanishing and visibility: she thinks the things that go bump in the night need to spend some time in the sun.A long-time writer, editor, and activist, Marianne is a frequent contributor to women’s interest publications, news outlets, and tv shows that require people to have opinions. She has been published by the Guardian, xoJane, the Daily Dot, Bitch Magazine, Time, and others. She has appeared on tv and radio programs ranging from the Dr. Phil Show to Radio New Zealand.Marianne was born in Florida and returned there, because Florida Weird calls to its own. She has briefly escaped again but is already plotting her eventual winter migration.This is her first novel.
How I came to get my book deal can actually be found as part of this interview: http://www.scifipulse.net/marianne-kirby-discusses-her-career-florida-and-her-first-book-dust-bath-revival/ The teal deer is that I originally built a career in nonfiction and then when I had a novel ready, my agent was interested - and so were the people who already read my work.
I LOVE good speculative fiction. I read a lot based on recommendations and I go to WisCon every year and load up my book list there based on what I hear folks discussing. I read romance and erotica without shame - the smuttier the better. My actual guilty pleasure is books about writing process; it's fascinating to me to see how other people think writing should be done.
Marianne Kirbymariannekirby.com
Order Dust Bath Revival now!https://curiosityquills.com/kindle/dustbath/


Tyrolin Puxty: I'm a Jack, or more accurately, a Tyrolin of all trades.

Broken Dolls, the first in the trilogy, is an award-winning, international #1 bestseller and appeared on Buzzfeed's Top 24 Best SciFi/Fantasy Books of 2015.

I have been in the Top 25 of the Australian Songwriters Association and Top 5 of the Australian Independent Music Awards, was awarded an Australia Day Award for Music in 2014 and for Arts in 2015. I own a performing arts school, teach creative writing and host a podcast called HooPod, which is part of Felicia Day's community.

I love cats. I love every kind of cat. I just want to hug all of them, but I can't.

Book deal: I've been talking about becoming an author since I was three. In fact, I toddled up to Mum and asked if she could teach me to read, just so I could write. I mean, why play wth Barbies when I could WRITE about playing with Barbies?

From eighteen onwards, I queried a billion agencies, a zillion publishers and never heard back from any of them. Eventually, I stumbled across Curiosity Quills and submitted a story that took me ten weeks to complete. I didn't expect to hear anything, but low and behold, a full request came through five hours later. Five days later, I woke up, checked my email and burst into tears because Curiosity Quills offered to sign me. I was 23 years old. Nothing can compare to living your dream, so I'm determined to help others!

What I like to read: I'll be honest, I'm the pickiest reader in the world. I love original ideas with a good sense of humour. Weird and twisted, but never crass. The Giver, The Night Circus and Talking to Dragons are the only books I've ever read more than once.

Sara O. Thompson’s first attempt at a book was prepared on a Remington typewriter and bore a suspicious resemblance to a famous novel whose title rhymes with ‘Gourd of the Spies.’ In her spare time, she performs improv comedy, occasionally tells stories on stage, and loves ballroom dancing. Sara lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her family.
How you came to get your book deal.I participated in a twitter pitch contest and was "acquired" by Curiosity Quills. My tweet was something like, "Solving crimes. Doing magic. Drinking bourbon."



What you like to read
I used to be huge into literary fiction, but now it's pretty solidly in the SFF realm. Love anything funny. I want to see Science fiction and fantasy, especially urban fantasy, especially funny stuff. No love triangles, love rectangles, love rhomboids. Pretty much ixnay on the kissy stuff. Love writing that doesn't take itself too seriously. Anything that turns tropes on their heads. 

Growing up, Melody Winter showed a natural ability in art, a head for maths, and a tendency to write far too long English essays. Difficult to place in the world when she graduated, she pursued a career in teaching, but eventually ended up working in finance. Melody is convinced that the methodical time she spends working with numbers fuels her desire to drift into dream worlds and write about the illusory characters in her head.Melody lives in North Yorkshire, England, with her husband and two sons. When not dealing with football, rugby, and a whole plethora of ‘boy’ activities, she will be found scribbling notes for her stories, or preparing for another trip to the beach. With an obsession for anything mythical, Melody revels in reading and writing about such creatures.Sachael Dreams was her debut novel, and the first in the New Adult Romantic Fantasy series—the ‘Mine Series’. The second book in the series, ‘Sachael Desires’, was released in November 2015, and the third book in the series, ‘Sachael Delusions’, is due to be released this year.Melody has also published ‘Iniquity’, the first book in a Dark New Adult Romantic Fantasy series— ‘The Ascent’. The second book in the series, ‘Adversity’, is also due for release this year.
How I got my publishing dealI’m contracted with Reuts Publications for the four books in the Mine Series.
I first noticed REUTS on twitter and started following them, they followed back, and after a few tweets I sent them my submission in line with their guidelines. I heard back very quickly, within two weeks, and they asked for the full manuscript. Then began the waiting. I noticed on twitter through various tweets that they were inundated with manuscripts. I think I was one of the last to pass through the initial submission before this hit them. I waited months for an answer from them, only sending my manuscript out to a few others during this time, as I really wanted to sign with REUTS. Their friendliness and general support are areas they excel at, and I had my eyes on their editor, Kisa Whipkey. I really wanted to work with her.
When I received the news that they wanted to publish Sachael Dreams I was over the moon, and was ecstatic when they asked to see my outlined plans for the rest of the series and offered to publish all four books. It was a dream of mine to have found a home for not only the first book, but for the whole series! Kisa is my editor on the series and is so in tune with my characters. When she gave me initial feedback on Sachael Dreams I knew there wasn’t anyone else I wanted to work with.
Wishlist:
I read mainly romance. I tend to stick to fantasy but also love contemporary romance books. I also like mystery books, something to keep me guessing about the ending.

Kate Miller is a Florida native who began writing fiction at the age of 13. Growing up as a competitive figure skater left Kate with a fervent love of glitter, which intensified when she joined her sorority in college. She graduated from the University of Florida and went on to medical school and residency, but remains involved on the UF campus as an advisor for Sigma Kappa. Like all Gators fans, Kate dreams of a world where football season lasts all year.
I found my agent through pitch madness (the free for all version). I can write up a paragraph if you want - I also have a blog post that details the process here: https://katemillermd.com/2016/04/07/the-life-cycle-of-the-great-american-novel/

Wish list:
YA/NA/Adult fantasy, science fiction, or romantic suspense, but I'll read anything if someone needs a critiquer.


Anoosha Lalani
I have always had an insatiable desire to escape reality. When I’m not writing, you may find me at McGill University in Montreal. Having lived in Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Poland, I have had the wonderful opportunity to be exposed to a vibrant range of cultures, which often seem to find their way into my stories. I was born in Pakistan, the setting of my most recent novel, THE KEEPERS.
Before finally finding a forever home for THE KEEPERS, I had been working on several other short stories and manuscripts. I was able to exchange ideas and improve my work with other aspiring authors on the now deceased, Inkpop. When I finally decided I wanted to publish THE KEEPERS after several rounds of edits. I started doing my research on publishing presses and I came across REUTS. I decided to submit. To my surprise, they liked my work and I loved them! I signed a contract on my 18th birthday and we began the long yet rewarding process of publishing.
My manuscript wish list would consist of well-written high fantasy, the kind that steps away from the worlds of Harry Potter and Lord of The Rings and does something entirely unique. I would also love to see this done with a diverse cast of characters.
Also on my wish list would be a story with elements of the well-known myth and fairy tales that we have all come to love. Bonus points if it empowers women!
You can find me on twitter @anooshalalani or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anoosha.lalani/.