I am excited to be a Pitch Wars mentor for a 2nd year! I’m mentoring MG, so allow me to introduce myself and then I’ll tell you what I want to see in my submissions.
I love books so much that I’ve Dedicated my life to them. After getting a B.A. in Creative Writing, I took a job as a youth specialist in a public library while I wrote in my free time. Now I plan events for teens at the library, including author visits. I still write in my free time any chance I get.
WHAT I AM LOOKING TO MENTOR
While my reading tastes are eclectic, my favorite genres are speculative: fantasy, light sci-fi and horror. (Bonus points for dark fantasy!) I also love most historical fiction and alternate histories. A strong voice and polished writing are a must. A few of my wish list wants are: a character driven plot, fairy tale retellings, scary (or ghost) stories, spirited heroines, underdogs, diverse authors and characters, adventure, fantastical quests, stories based on folklore or myths, and unusual/unique settings. I’m a total sucker for stories with creepy, strange and atmospheric worlds. I’m also a sucker for first person POV, though I’d never rule out other POVs if the voice hooks me.
Some of my recent favorite MG books are:
WHAT I’M NOT SUITED FOR
Contemporary, mystery, gross humor, or light hearted books are just not my cup of tea. I’m not looking for animal narrators or overly sassy or cocky main characters. Also, issue books and stories with unreliable narrators are not in my wheelhouse to best mentor.
Finally, why should you pick me as a mentor? I met and signed with my agent, Shannon Hassan of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, through a writing contest. So I’m a contest veteran. We’ll have your pages and pitch shinier than a Golden Snitch! I will tell you what works and what doesn’t work in your novel and help you brainstorm ways to fix your manuscript’s problem areas. I will be your cheerleader, but I will not go easy on you. After all, I’m very competitive and I want you to succeed. My mentee from 2015, Ashley Martin (@papergram), signed with an agent shortly after Pitch Wars last year, so I don’t want to brag…but I kind of do. (Pssssst…Ashley is also mentoring MG this year, so if I don’t seem like the right fit for you, check out her wish list!)
If you have an MG story that’s dark, creepy or strange, I do hope you’ll sub to me! Don’t forget to take a look at the other fabulous mentors on Brenda Drake’s website: www.brenda-drake.com
Follow me @KRwriter on Twitter, visit me on GoodReads, or like my Facebook page to learn more about me.
I love books so much that I’ve Dedicated my life to them. After getting a B.A. in Creative Writing, I took a job as a youth specialist in a public library while I wrote in my free time. Now I plan events for teens at the library, including author visits. I still write in my free time any chance I get.
WHAT I AM LOOKING TO MENTOR
While my reading tastes are eclectic, my favorite genres are speculative: fantasy, light sci-fi and horror. (Bonus points for dark fantasy!) I also love most historical fiction and alternate histories. A strong voice and polished writing are a must. A few of my wish list wants are: a character driven plot, fairy tale retellings, scary (or ghost) stories, spirited heroines, underdogs, diverse authors and characters, adventure, fantastical quests, stories based on folklore or myths, and unusual/unique settings. I’m a total sucker for stories with creepy, strange and atmospheric worlds. I’m also a sucker for first person POV, though I’d never rule out other POVs if the voice hooks me.
Some of my recent favorite MG books are:
- THE THICKETY by J.A. White
- SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL by Soman Chainani
- ESPERANZA RISING by Pam Muñoz Ryan
- THE JUMBIES by Tracey Baptiste
- HOODOO by Ronald L. Smith
- LIZZY AND THE LOST BABY by Cheryl Blackford
- WHEN THE SEA IS RISING RED by Cat Hellisen (YA, but one of my all-time favorites!)
WHAT I’M NOT SUITED FOR
Contemporary, mystery, gross humor, or light hearted books are just not my cup of tea. I’m not looking for animal narrators or overly sassy or cocky main characters. Also, issue books and stories with unreliable narrators are not in my wheelhouse to best mentor.
Finally, why should you pick me as a mentor? I met and signed with my agent, Shannon Hassan of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, through a writing contest. So I’m a contest veteran. We’ll have your pages and pitch shinier than a Golden Snitch! I will tell you what works and what doesn’t work in your novel and help you brainstorm ways to fix your manuscript’s problem areas. I will be your cheerleader, but I will not go easy on you. After all, I’m very competitive and I want you to succeed. My mentee from 2015, Ashley Martin (@papergram), signed with an agent shortly after Pitch Wars last year, so I don’t want to brag…but I kind of do. (Pssssst…Ashley is also mentoring MG this year, so if I don’t seem like the right fit for you, check out her wish list!)
If you have an MG story that’s dark, creepy or strange, I do hope you’ll sub to me! Don’t forget to take a look at the other fabulous mentors on Brenda Drake’s website: www.brenda-drake.com
Follow me @KRwriter on Twitter, visit me on GoodReads, or like my Facebook page to learn more about me.