An Agent's Inbox #9

Dear Sara,

I am currently seeking representation for my YA fantasy REDHUNT, and your interest is stories with a gritty narrative and darker themes encourages me that you will connect with my book. 

The end of the war will change seventeen-year-old Olethea Parker’s life forever.

In the Lands, a gritty otherworld ruled by the Tribunal’s wonderworking power, Reds have always been hunted, the minds of the people have long been controlled, and unnatural Beasts and Carriers destroy anyone who opposes their makers. Olie is a Red, one marked by red hair and immune to the Tribunal’s power. As her Colony falls, her life is desperately close to ending, but Olie's mother sacrifices herself so Olie can live.

Olie's survival is imperative, because she alone has the power to end the Tribunal's bloodthirsty reign. With the aid of rebels, Olie is hidden beneath the nose of Regime soldiers on a farm in the East. There, Olie discovers a revolution brewing. One that hinges on her and a prophecy foretold in wonderworking-made Tales. When Hunters--blood-trackers bred by the Tribunal to kill their adversaries--come for her, Olie narrowly escapes with a boy trained to protect her.

Hunted across the East, Olie begins to uncover a power she never dreamed she possessed, and the secrets her mother had long hidden. But not even the Hunters stalking her, or the dangers that litter the Eastern landscape, are as perilous as falling in love with a boy who would die for her.

REDHUNT is the first novel in a planned trilogy that will appeal to fans of the unique fantasy world in Leigh Bardugo's Grisha trilogy, as well as the dark twisted elements present in Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series. Lindsay Cummings, author of the forthcoming The Murder Complex and The Balance Keepers has already given my novel this terrific blurb: "Redhunt is an epic tale of love and betrayal, with writing so gorgeous I was devastated by the time it was all over."

Before REDHUNT, I wrote both stage and screen plays, which were locally produced. This is my first foray into YA, and recently I completed a workshop with Nova Ren Suma through MediaBistro. You can find me on Twitter and the blogosphere, where I’m busy building my author platform, and always, ardently writing or reading something.

Thank you for your time. I hope you enjoy reading Olie’s story, as much I enjoyed writing it. 

My best,

R.F.

REDHUNT

The sweat pooling between my knees and the crooks of my elbows wakes me, but it’s the shrieking of the Watchers hawks through my open window that jolts me from bed. One swoops past our cottage, sounding its call, and then darts high in the sky and away to safety. They come from the boundary of Green Mountains. These cries are a warning. We can run but we will not win. Soon our colony will be invaded, the very guts of it ripped apart until the pieces can’t be assembled again. Soon, all my hiding will be over.

Momma skitters across the living room like a harassed mouse chased by a broom, her shape is a blur to my still sleep-filled eyes. She’ll be punished for having a daughter like me, and it’s too late to change that.

As she passes my doorway again, I see why I’m sweating. The fire in the hearth blazes, being fed by stacks of paper and twine, its heat thickening the air of this late summer night. On the other side of the room, her trunk is cast open and mostly emptied. She grabs out another handful of paper, sending buttons and thread-spools falling to the floor beside her feet.

“We need to go. What are you doing?” I ask, pressing into the doorway and lifting the hem of my gown off my sweat soaked thighs. After a few beats with no answer, I move from the doorway into her path.

An Agent's Inbox #8

Dear Sara Sciuto: 

From reading your website and online interviews, I understand you enjoy contemporary with an authentic voice and that you have a soft spot for gritty narratives. I hope my young adult fiction CHICK MAGNET will fulfill these aspects of your wish list and be a good fit for your agency.

Eighteen-year-old JD Marshall has a power most guys would trade their left nut for. With one hypnotizing look, he can get a girl to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. And for three years he’s racked up more scores than Brett Favre. But his power’s not a blessing.

It’s a curse.

A curse a witch put on him three years ago. A curse he’s got four months to break or lose any chance of ever having a real relationship. The only way to break it--learn to love and be loved. Like that’s going to happen. JD needs to focus on quarterbacking his team to the state finals. He needs to pass freaking English. And he needs to quit thinking about Susan Milton. She’s taken. She’s forbidden. Worse--she seems to be the only one immune to his power.

But JD can’t get away from her. The principal (aka Mom) arranges tutoring with Susan to save a shaky English grade. But when football botches the after-school sessions, the “tutoring” with Susan continues over late night phone calls. JD discovers he'll have to do a little more than just look at a girl to charm the skirt off her. And he finds that underneath that tight little body lies a pretty screwed up past, one that parallels his own.

What blooms is a relationship JD can’t tell anyone about--not even his best friend. Because Susan--the one he wants, the one he can’t avoid, the one who could break the curse--just happens to be his hot new English teacher.

At 98,000 words, CHICK MAGNET is a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a Paradise Lost twist. It explores second chances, defying odds, and the bonds of friendship.

I am a member of SCBWI, the South Carolina Writers Workshop, and the Write Brained Network. I am also a founding member of the group blog YA Confidential, a resource for YA writers devoted to all things teen, all the time.

As per contest guidelines, I am enclosing the first 250 words of my manuscript. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best,

A.M.

CHICK MAGNET

Getting with Susan Milton should be the last thing on my mind.

I should be thinking about Northeast and their defensive line, the one that racks up eight QB sacks a game. I should be running through Coach’s five new plays--the ones the Panthers won’t see on the scouting tapes. I should think about how David and I are going to get a keg for the beach after the game. Or how if I don’t play the game of my life, we won’t even need one.

Maybe I should focus on my senior project.

Or the Pre-Calc test I have in thirty minutes.

But I just can’t get my mind off her.

Ever since she walked into English on the first day of school, I haven’t been able to focus on much else. And not just because Susan Milton’s the hottest chick I’ve ever seen. I mean, she is: tight little body, sexy smile, shiny blond hair that smells like the flowers growing in my backyard. She has a habit of wearing these low cut tops, and if she bends over just right, I almost get a free show. And God, her voice. The way she recites poetry, it’s like she’s singing--just to me. I used to hate English. Now I hate the wait until third period for my new favorite class.

But Susan Milton is forbidden. Off limits. I can’t have her.

And unfortunately I can get practically anybody.

An Agent's Inbox #7

Dear Sara,

Twelve year old Jaden has a lot to live up to. His father is Sudner’s greatest hero. He wants to be the warrior everyone is expecting, but Jaden prefers books to battles. When he hid in a tree as his father was captured by the fierce race of Wargals, his feeling of failure is compounded. Jaden sets off on a quest to redeem himself and rescue his father, where he discovers an even harder assignment is placed on his shoulders. He’s been called by the leaders of a hidden kingdom, who created his world, to become the Guardian of Sudner.  To do so, he’ll not only have to learn old magic, but somehow find the courage to defeat the Wargals in a battle for the survival of Suder.

The Guardian of Sudner is an uplifting middle grade fantasy novel with a touch of humor. It runs about 58,000 words in length.

I’ve posted the first 250 words for you to consider. The entire manuscript is available upon request.

Currently, I am a columnist for Meridian Magazine, Latter-day Homeschooling, and am a correspondent/columnist for Deseret Connect, all of which give me a platform to help market my writing. I have also written for other magazines, such as Women’s Day, The Boer Goat, Brio, and Cleaner Times.  

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

A.W.

THE GUARDIAN OF SUDNER

Jaden Andreist stalled at lunch as long as he could. It was time for battle class.  There was no getting out of it…at least none he’d thought of. Reluctantly, he put his elements book away and walked out the door. He’d been practicing for months with Klevi, one of the top battle students, in exchange for tutoring him in runes. A week ago he felt confident. He’d been sparing better than ever. He’d even beaten Klevi twice. But, today was different. The knots in his stomach gave him doubt.

The other boys in his class loved sparring. It was the best part of turning twelve. No longer were they trapped doing nothing but endless boring drills in battle training. Now they got to show off their skill going head to head in real duels. For the other boys it was a dream come true. For Jaden, however, it felt more like a nightmare. He preferred books to battles. If you made a mistake with a book, no one died.

By the time he reached the practice field, most of the other boys were already suited up.

“I didn’t think you’d have the guts to show up today, Jaden,” Berach said as he pushed past him and grabbed some chain mail. “Couldn’t think of an excuse to stay with Daddy?”

The rest of the group sniggered as they filed out onto the field.  His face grew warm as he grabbed his gear and a practice sword, hurrying out behind them.

An Agent's Inbox #6

Dear Ms. Scuito,

Art is a weapon.

Hubris kills empires.

Music saves them.

Capitàn Sabre’s hamartia has torn apart the very empire he’d lost his wife trying to salvage. With Sabre’s coup d’état in tatters, the insidious Count Valken is free to reign over Tyrrania and incarcerate Prince Alexander--the true heir to the throne--in very palace he used to call home.

Now the fate of the Royalist rebel cause rests in the hands of the Capitàn’s daughter: Scarlet. A feisty eighteen year old mech pilot, Scarlet Sabre is a force to be reckoned with if only she could set aside her quest to avenge her mother’s death and swap her revolver for a guitar.

Outnumbered and outgunned, the Royalist’s must now place their faith in an unconventional propaganda campaign if they have any hope of usurping the sordid vampyre that rules over their beloved Tyrrania. By placing Scarlet as the frontwoman of the punk rock band 'The Sonic Booms', the Royalists channel her fiery passions into inciting a revolution and proclaiming art as a weapon.

As the hangman’s noose closes around the rebels the only question remaining is Vigilante or Valkenite?

SCARLET SABRE AND THE SONIC BOOMS is a 79,000 word young adult novel which forms the first part of a possible series and aims to revolutionise the steampunk genre with musical themes, supernatural undertones and romantic suspense. I have approached you  Ms. Sciuto, as I believe your affinity for YA fiction featuring artistic themes will allow you to see the potential my novel has to succeed in today's preteen fiction market. I'm confident that SCARLET SABRE AND THE SONIC BOOMS conceptually unique premise, fiercely strong character voice and steampunk theme will win over the hearts of many a book worm.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your time and inform you that I've pasted the first 250 words of the manuscript below this query letter.

Kind regards,

K.G.

SCARLET SABRE AND THE SONIC BOOMS

Even in the dark of winter the view from the zeppelin was breathtaking. The skyline was filled with floating lanterns, a sea of intermittent light that put the black glass of the ocean below them to shame. They’d been released by the residents of the capital’s lower quarter in honor of the recently deceased King Peta the Kind; a show of mutual mourning for a respected leader on the day of the Fiesta of the Dead. The people had lost a father and The Empire of Tyrrania: a son.

It was a sentiment that Capitàn Sabre shared, yet the brilliant spectacle failed to make his heart swell with pride. The lanterns only seemed to remind him of the dire task at hand. The King may have passed yet his legacy needed to live on if Sabre’s homeland were to last the year.

Lieutenant Nikolai--his second in command--slipped through the gondola door to join him out on the veranda. For a brief moment the din of the party within seeped out with him. The dull chink of champagne flutes and the rich timbre of violins seemed at ill ease with the pained look the men shared.

“It’s not too late to turn back you know,” Nikolai whispered guardedly, sensing the Capitàn’s apprehension.

Sabre’s hand tightened on the cold balcony railing, “It’s bigger than us now Nikolai.”

Nikolai exhaled, “Perhaps a little too big…”

An Agent's Inbox #5

Dear Ms. Sciuto:

Sixteen-year-old bookworm Brielle's gritty fantasy world helps her escape her boring life. As bad-a** slayer Brielle Cross she's killed deadly creatures and the occasional Hoover vacuum. But when strange bruises start to appear on her body along with an unexplained tattoo, she starts to wonder if it could be more.

Cross has tried her best to hide her strange visions where she's Brielle Cross: Nerdy teen girl living in a happy world of dull. Her shrink says it's her way of coping with her job of slaying the confetti-blooded beings known as moths and butterflies as part of the M.B.E.A., but Cross has seen enough to know that's wrong.

Waking up in each others' worlds alone, Brielle and Cross realize they've been living in each other’s skin, literally. Thinking they’ll switch back soon, they pretend to be their doppelganger. Soon they’re tangled in a mystery that involves a mythical bridge that connects their two worlds and a handsome butterfly Cross was hired to kill.

The more they discover, the more it becomes clear: Someone wants them both dead--and the one they’re supposed to kill might be the only one who knows why. Now they must find out who’s trying to destroy their connection before the bridge back to their worlds comes crashing down.

CROSSING BRIELLE is a YA urban fantasy told from both Brielle and Cross' perspectives. It's complete at 63,000 words and should appeal to fans of the duel worlds of The Mortal Instruments and Alice In Wonderland's whimsy and creatures.

Thank you for you time and consideration.

Sincerely,

J.C.

CROSSING BRIELLE

The streets of Nashville were silent when Brielle made her move. Slinking through the alley as nimble as a cat, she stalked her prey’s tracks, waiting for the right time to strike. Liquid gold lit her way as her small frame slid along a bumpy brick wall. Foot firmly on a faded green dumpster, she propelled herself back up to her selected post. Sweat dripped from her brow, but Brielle refused to acknowledge it. Spring wasn’t always so hot, but right then she felt like she was standing in a freakin desert instead of on a tar roof.

Any day now. She knew he’d be back soon. After all, his victim was too close for him to pass up the chance to say his twisted hello. She just had to be patient—which wasn’t much her thing. She surveyed the dull, decaying landscape. The sun may have been shining, but as usual, it did nothing to help her find who she was looking for.

Moths were always tricky jobs, but cinnabars were the worst. It’d taken her six months of pretending to be a cinna-groupie just to learn his next set of victims’ names. Part of that time, she couldn’t actually remember. Really, she liked it that way. Kept her from believing the crap she had to say and do just to get the job done.

Finally the tell-tale solid black figure with blood red stripes running down his sleeves and pants came into view. Brielle’s head rose slightly, checking for the matching red spot on his back.

An Agent's Inbox #4

Dear Ms. Sara Sciuto,  

I'm currently seeking representation for ABEGALE FORCE, my complete, 66,000 word, upper middle grade adventure with supernatural elements. 

Twelve-year-old, Abegale (almost thirteen) has to take care of everything, including her eight-year-old asthmatic brother. She panics when her little brother's asthma sends him to the hospital, for what may be his last trip. Abegale wishes her grandmother had been successful finding a cure in the Andes before she disappeared three years ago.

Weird old Mrs. Egremony tells Abegale to find a "medicine" book her grandmother left behind. Though, it appears Mrs. Egremony may need Abegale's help locating Grandma Rose, herself. When Abegale finds the hidden book, along with mystical cards she’s never seen before, memories of her grandmother surface, and shed light on who her grandmother really was. She learns about strange uses for plants and weeds, including the desmodium adscendens her grandmother disappeared searching for. Abegale becomes determined to pick up where her grandmother left off: find the plant, and save her brother.

Guided by deer, a crow, and dreams she can't explain, Abegale and her friends are led to her grandmother's forgotten cottage in the woods. Abegale, is horrified when she discovers Grandma’s cottage transformed into a foie gras factory. It’s polluting the aquifer and could devastate the small town of Three Points. Abegale figures out a plan that might save her town from the environmental nightmare, despite threats from the illegal factory workers. 

While reading through the mysteries of her grandmother's medicine book to help Jeremy, Abegale discovers where her grandmother disappeared. And she’ll need weird old Mrs. Egremony's help to bring her home, who also needs Abegale’s help. But if they don’t act quickly and clear Grandma’s cottage before the next solstice, Grandma Rose will be trapped between the fabric of space and time for eternity.

I thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
K.H.


ABEGALE FORCE

I sure don’t want to meet weird old Mrs. Egremony, without my best friend Stephanie with me--it’s her landlady after all. The way she stares at me creeps me out. But she says she knew my grandmother. And told me to come alone.

The Maiden Villas sit on the highest peak of Pine Crest. It’s a tough hill, even though Stephanie moved in two weeks ago, I’ll never get used to the almost 90 degree climb. It’s like a vulture's hideaway. Stephanie and I joke how Mrs. Egremony slinks around her garden stalking prey.

I have stand on my pedals to reach the top of Ridge Road. Heaving and pedaling, harder and faster, swaying and dipping low, a black crow swoops in front of me. I swerve, and nearly crash, banging my knee against the handle bar, but catch myself before the asphalt met my face. The crow lands in a tree branch. He’s watching me, and laughing, I swear. Thinking it’ll return to finish the job, I race out of there, and up the hill.

The old Cabins became the bright white Maiden Villas when Mrs. Egremony took over. The cottages hide under a shadow of giant oak trees and tangled vines. I leave my bike on the side of Mrs. Egremony’s “villa” It’s unusual she’s not in the garden.  I ring the doorbell, looking around for suspicious crows. There’s no answer.

I know she’s just an old woman, but something’s not right.

An Agent's Inbox #3

Dear Ms. Sciuto:

Stu and Satch are unlikely best friends. One is a shy boy and the other a shy sasquatch. When they stumble onto a sign for a Bigfoot Hunters Club, a panicked Stu hides Satch, tries tricking the hunters and even masterminds a PR campaign. But he realizes he’ll need to face the bigfoot hunters and his shyness to save his best friend.

STU AND SATCH is a 472-word picture book for children ages 4-8 that celebrates friendship and perseverance. It is Harry and the Hendersons meets Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt. Few humorous picture books about sasquatches exist in the market today. None focus on unlikely friendship or overcoming shyness.

I am querying you because humor is a very important part of my writing and I've read you prefer picture books with humorous narratives. I have been an SCBWI San Francisco South member since 2010. I participate in a critique group, online writing challenges like PiBoIdMo and 12x12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, and local SCBWI events. I have other polished manuscripts available upon request. Thank you for your consideration.

Best,
M.G.


STU AND SATCH

Stu was slow-to-warm. His teeth chattered in front of roaring campfires. His toes stayed frosty in his fluffy sleeping bag. Oh, and he took a while to warm up to new friends--eyeing them verrry carefully until he felt safe. Then one day…

He spied Satch, who had spied him first. [ILLO: Satch is a bashful Bigfoot.] Both dove for the same bush…

And became friends at first blush. Together, they romped, they stomped, they cannonballed. Life was perfect until…

An Agent's Inbox #2

Dear Sara,

My previous agent and I have parted ways. As such I'm querying again and, because of your focus on fantasy and the supernatural, wondering if you would be interested in representing my latest young adult novel, as well as future works of mine.

Fifteen-year-old Jay Mitchell is the most lethal secret walking the streets of Chicago. He's killed before, and he'll kill again. Trained to protect an unwitting mankind from rogue Pandorans--supernatural beings who cross into this world through Pandora's box--he’s good at what he does, as long as no one knows he does it.

While rescuing a damsel faking distress, Jay inadvertently reveals himself. Now the Guild knows he exists, and worse, he’s Unsanctioned, a crime punishable by death. On the run, Jay discovers there’s a price on his head and everything that goes bump in the night arrives to collect. If he wants to survive he’ll have to draw on every ounce of his skill, and seek help from the most unlikely allies, including the girl who got him into this mess in the first place.

HERITAGE BLADE is a young adult urban fantasy with series potential complete at 93,000 words and has not been out on submission. I've included the first 250 words per the submission guidelines. I hope you enjoy, and thank you for your time and consideration.

All the best,
L.L.M.


HERITAGE BLADE

Chapter 1: On His Own

Killing was one of those things that grew easier with time, that and tight rope walking. While one didn’t have anything to do with the other, at fifteen Jay had grown skilled at both. Balanced on the balls of his feet, he raced along the length of a power line, pivoted when he reached a pole, and leapt to a nearby building. Overhead the autumn moon shone bright, slicing through the darkness blanketing the roof, as if to aid him in the search for signs of his prey.

He shoved strands of white hair from his face, tightened his grip on the sword at his hip, and stalked forward. The wind lashed out with bitter cold, cutting through the leather he wore from head to toe. October in Chicago--arctic. His boots crunched against loose gravel. No point in trying to be quiet, he wasn’t the one hiding.

There.

Something moved the slightest bit in the shadow of a ventilation shaft. He locked gazes with a pair of yellow, pupil-less eyes. Gotcha, he smirked.

Caught, the creature bounded toward the end of the building. Jay took off after it. His steps thudded against the concrete, mirroring the pounding of his heart. Ahead, claws flashed and raked against the roof, kicking up loose bits of stone. The howling panted hard and heavy around a warning growl as it threw a glare over its shoulder, baring a mouth full of gleaming fangs.

A shiver chased a thrill the length of Jay’s spine.