The mentors have worked tirelessly reading such amazing submissions. Behind the scenes, there’s been laughter, blood, sweat, and tears shared between the mentors. There were so many, SO MANY, wonderful entries, and we couldn’t pick them all. It all came down to which ones spoke the most to the mentors’ hearts.
There are many pathways to acquiring your publishing goals. Pitch Wars is just one of a few. Though I know you’ll be disappointed if you don’t find your name on the following lists, please remember that you are in the game. Just finishing a manuscript requires a love for writing, and putting your work out there is such a brave act. Congratulations for getting into the game. Every heartache, every victory, will get you a step closer to success.
I have had many heartaches and many missteps. I’ve been rejected (a lot). I’ve had to change my course (a few times). But giving up was never an option for me. I picked myself up, learned what I had to, and made several friends along the way. My wish for you is to keep going, never give up, and gather friends who will cry and celebrate with you through the battle. I admire each and every one of you for putting on a brave face and putting your work out there. You are so cared for by all the mentors. There are posts in our Facebook group full of love and caring; my heart swells just reading them. I am truly blessed to be in this community with you. Thank you for entrusting me with your work and for making me smile every day.
Keep going! There’s more contests on the way. Here are a few coming up in the next several months…
September 9 – #PitMad Twitter Pitch Party – more info. here.
Oct. 28 – Nov. 6 – Baker’s Dozen on Authoress Anonymous blog opens. Details here.
And our own mentor, Michelle Hauck, will hold Nightmare on Query Street on her blog in late October. Keep on eye out here.
I want to thank our sponsor donating some prizes for our wonderful mentors!
Twitter | Kelly P. Simmon | Website
Here’s a little bit about InkSlinger PR …
InkSlinger PR is all about helping authors and publishers get the word out about their latest literary projects. Specializing in New Adult, Young Adult, and Adult Commercial Fiction, we are passionate about assisting authors to build their platform and create a brand that will carry them into the future. Here at InkSlinger PR, we understand the importance of chasing your dream and believing that the sky’s the limit.
And now, here are the mentors’ top picks (keep scrolling for the alternates) …
| Mentor | Mentee |
| Amy Reichert | www (dot) perfectmatch (dot) com by Rikita Chokhani (writing as Shaya Roy) |
| Ben Brooks | The Sad State of Emmaline Black by Erin Latimer |
| Brenda Drake/Brooks Benjamin | When We Danced Against the Soil by Donna Munoz |
| Brianna Shrum | Awake and Astray by Margarita Montimore – Adult? |
| Brighton Walsh | Chasing Crazy by Kelly Siskind |
| Brooks Benjamin | Little Miss Blogalot by Melyssa Mercado |
| Catherine Scully | Oddity by Sarah Cannon |
| The Woodsmen by Amanda Hill | |
| Charlie Holmberg | Field of Storms by L.T. Elliott |
| Cole Gibsen | Beat by Laura Diamond |
| Dan Koboldt | Biohunter by Bianca Nogrady |
| Dannie Morin | Renascence by Heather Truett |
| Diana Gallagher | Keep Your Eyes on Me by J.A. Ward |
| Dionne McCulloch | Left With Us by Corey Ryan |
| EM Caines | The Conspirator’s Club by Ellen Hill |
| Eden Plantz | Framed by Susan J. Bickford |
| Elizabeth Briggs | The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie |
| Emily Martin | Starry Night by RuthAnne Frost |
| Erica Chapman | Definitions of Indefinable Things by Whitney Taylor |
| Evelyn Ehrlich | Encircled by Summer Spence |
| Fiona McLaren | Big Boys Don’t Cry by Carleen Karanovic |
| Gail Nall | Amelia Foote Rolls On by Marilee Haynes |
| Jaime Loren | Calamity by Mary Ann Nicholson |
| Jami Nord | The Edge of the Universe by Sarena Ulibarri |
| Jason Nelson | The Killing Moon by Elinor Sattler |
| Jaye Robin Brown | Le Cirque du Literati by Kristin A. Reynolds |
| Jennifer Blackwood | Walking After Midnight by Esher Hogan |
| Jessie Devine | 23 by Linsey Miller |
| Jessie Humphries | Needle’s Eye by Mara Rutherford |
| Joy McCullough-Carranza | Phoebe the Fatabulous by Elizabeth Dimit |
| Juliana L. Brandt | Thirteen O’Clock by Stacy Hackney |
| Julie Sondra Decker | Charlotte Elemental by Megan Paasch |
| Kara Leigh Miller | Motor City Demons by A.B. Sevan |
| Karma Brown | Wishes to Nowhere by Susan Crispell |
| Kate Karyus Quinn | The Memory of Objects by D.A. Mages |
| Kelly Loy Gilbert | The Half-Life of Heartache by Lilly Barels |
| Kes Trester | Chimes at Midnight by Lee Daugherty |
| Kristen Strassel | Love, Carly by Rosemary McElhannon |
| L.S. Murphy | Summer Lakes by Kelly Kizer Whitt |
| Lauren Spieller | Aeternium by Allison Ziegler |
| Lindsay Currie/Trisha Leaver | His Kiss by Jen Vincent |
| Lisa Lewis Tyre | See You Then, Joshua Jacobs by P.J. Sheridan |
| Lori Goldstein | Where You Found Me – Justine Winans |
| Maggie Hall | Does This Apron Make Me Look Amish? by Fiona Farrell Ivey |
| Marieke Nijkamp | The Silent Salt Shaker by Brandi Ziegler |
| Meredith McCardle | The Watchmaker by Ron Walters |
| Michelle Hauck | The Zookeeper’s Machine by Jayme Allen |
| Mina Vaughn | Waking Beauty by Gina Denny |
| Molly Lee | Providence by Barbara M. Britton |
| Mónica Bustamante Wagner | Jane, Body, and Soul by Susan Gray Foster |
| N.K. Traver | Calling the Ghost by Marisa Hopkins |
| Naomi Hughes | Skidster by Lindsey Duga |
| Natasha Neagle | Bad Girls Live Fast by Alessa Hinlo |
| Rachel Lynn Solomon | The Truth About Two Shoes by Nikki Roberti Miller |
| Rae Chang | The Falconer of Venice by Melissa Caruso |
| Rebecca Yarros | Fathers, Fender Guitars and other F words by Carrie Ann DiRisio |
| Renee Ahdieh | The Reader by Traci Chee |
| Ricki Schultz | Storm Chaser by Phil Stamper |
| Ronni Arno Blaisdell | Fortune it Forward by Nicole Mogavero |
| S.K. Falls | Radio Head by RJ Lacko |
| Sarah Guillory | The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin by Kip Wilson Rechea |
| Sarah Henning | IOU by Kellye Garrett |
| Sarah Nicolas | The Frost King by Elly Takaki |
| Shana Silver | Yes, Admin by Samantha Leach |
| Sharon Johnston | The Corpse Circus by Lakin Wooliver |
| Stacey Lee & Stephanie Garber | The Blind Tiger Testament by Rachel Horwitz |
| Stacey Trombley | Sparrow by Victoria Piontek |
| Stefanie Wass | Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles by Shari Green |
| Stephanie Scott | Things You Can’t See by Dawn Norman |
| Thomas Torre | Adventures of Rat Boy by Andrea Pelleschi |
| Trisha Leigh | Epsilon by Anna Patel |
| Veronica Bartles | Set in Stone by Natalie Williamson |
| Virginia Boecker | The Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn Eves |
| Whitney Fletcher | Under the Red Line by Rebecca Coffindaffer |
And the mentors’ alternates …
| Mentor | Alternate |
| Amy Reichert | A Convenient Engagement by Kimberly Webster |
| Ben Brooks | The Queen’s Daughter by Sandra Held |
| Brenda/Brooks mentored by KT Hanna | Olivia Boogieman by E.S. Wheeler |
| Brianna Shrum | Phantom by Jamie Adams |
| Brighton Walsh | Losing Will by Juliet Chatham |
| Brooks Benjamin | Dark Sky’s Ashes by AJ Vanderhorst |
| Catherine Scully | Mrs. Grainger’s Midnight Peculiarium by Phil Hickes |
| The Maven by Carey O’Connor | |
| Charlie Holmberg | Shattered by Shadows by JD Abbas |
| Cole Gibsen | Between Them by Jeanmarie Anaya |
| Dan Koboldt | A Scarred Mind by Amy Cavenaugh |
| Dannie Morin | Troubled by Sean Lamb |
| Diana Gallagher | In the Cards by Katrina Emmel |
| Dionne McCulloch | The Dead List by Lisa Preziosi |
| EM Caines | The Maven by Carey O’Connor |
| Eden Plantz | Crossing the Line by Caitlyn Armistead |
| Elizabeth Briggs | Timekeeper by Tara Sim |
| Emily Martin | Anyone’s Ghost by Emily Marquart |
| Erica Chapman | The Artistry of Half-Elves by Megan Cronin |
| Evelyn Ehrlich | Summer Thunder by K. Kazul Wolf |
| Fiona McLaren | Among the Red Stars by Colleen Boye |
| Gail Nall | Tomboys by Laurie Bryant |
| Jaime Loren | Thornvaal by Kelli Newby |
| Jami Nord | Unrevelations by Rissa Watkins |
| Jason Nelson | Damned if She Do by Janet Walden-West |
| Jaye Robin Brown | Winter on Brimstone Hill by April Rose Carter |
| Jennifer Blackwood | Searching for Mr. Wrong by Lisa Houghton |
| Jessie Devine | The Treasure Hunt by Melody Marshall |
| Jessie Humphries | The Drama Queen Who Cried Wolf by Jocelyn Rish |
| Joy McCullough-Carranza | Pocket Full of Poppies by Elliah Terry |
| Juliana L. Brandt | Dillon and the Alien Situation by Dana Mongillo |
| Julie Sondra Decker | Everything is Flowing by Natalka Burian |
| Kara Leigh Miller | Twenty Miles In by Kristin Wright |
| Karma Brown | Hot Tamale: The Lost Memoirs of Hester Carmella by Erin Foster Hartley |
| Kate Karyus Quinn | Haunted by Tracie Martin |
| Kelly Loy Gilbert | Dance of the Palms by Robin Lemke |
| Kes Trester | False Start by Jennifer Hawkins |
| Kristen Strassel | Vestige by Dana Collins |
| L.S. Murphy | You Were Mine by Larissa Weatherall |
| Lauren Spieller | The Memory Thief by Lauren Elizabeth |
| Lindsay Currie/Trisha Leaver | Beautiful Bloody Duckling by Kelly Calabrese |
| Lisa Lewis Tyre | Never Found Again by Kristin Thorsness |
| Lori Goldstein | Reverie – Lyra Selene |
| Maggie Hall | The White Lehua by Kelly deVos |
| Marieke Nijkamp | Requiem for a Thief by Evanthia Bromiley |
| Meredith McCardle | Seabound by Maura Couglin |
| Michelle Hauck | War of the Roses by Shellie Braeuner |
| Mina Vaughn | Swim for Shore by Celia Breslin |
| Molly Lee | The Haunting of Spingett Hall by Emily BrooksbyWheeler |
| Mónica Bustamante Wagner | Fading by Prerna Pickett |
| N.K. Traver | Anonymous by Alex Brown |
| Naomi Hughes | The Order of Dastardly Deeds by Chad Lucas |
| Natasha Neagle | Code of Silence by Charlotte Gruber |
| Rachel Lynn Solomon | Sparklers by Heather Ezell |
| Rae Chang | The Dragon’s Pearl by Silvia Park |
| Rebecca Yarros | Iron and Stars by Ashley Poston |
| Renee Ahdieh | The Original Heretic by Kirsten Squires |
| Ricki Schultz | Cupid Incorporated by Tiana Smith |
| Ronni Arno Blaisdell | Better Than Ever by Annie Cronin Romano |
| S.K. Falls | The Possibility by Billie Mande |
| Sarah Guillory | The Rather Prolific Adventures of the Captain and the Clockmaker by J.R. Dawson |
| Sarah Henning | The Lineage by Vanessa Lillie |
| Sarah Nicolas | A Frog, a Whistle, and a Vial of Sand by Shannon Cooley |
| Shana Silver | Incarnate by Mitali Mahajani |
| Sharon Johnston | Who Is Berkley Adams? by Mikayla Jade Rivera |
| Stacey Lee & Stephanie Garber | Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood |
| Stacey Trombley | Drew Horrible and the Great Dragon Poo Evasion by Megan Reyes |
| Stefanie Wass | Rules for Running Away by Rachel Sarah |
| Stephanie Scott | Happens for a Reason by Adrianne Russell |
| Thomas Torre | The Mystery of the 13th Year by Jennifer L. Hawes |
| Trisha Leigh | Alliance by Destiny Vandeput |
| Veronica Bartles | Startripped by Margo Berendsen |
| Virginia Boecker | Daughter of Light by Sara Thompson |
| Whitney Fletcher | Cliff With No Edge by Stephanie Herman |
14 Comments
P.D. Pabst · September 3, 2014 at 12:14 am
Congratulations to all the selected mentees and alternates! I can’t wait for the agent round. Best of luck!!
Shay · September 3, 2014 at 5:36 am
Well done to all those who were picked and for those who weren’t, I hope to see your Twitter Pitches on September the 9th!
Carol Ayer · September 3, 2014 at 9:35 am
Congratulations to the mentees and alternates!!!
Thank you SO much to Brenda and all the mentors for your extremely hard work. It is much appreciated.
I’ll be rooting for you!
Kelly · September 3, 2014 at 10:09 am
Congrats to all the mentees and alternates! Thanks to Brenda and all the amazing mentors for making this such a fun experience!
Desirae · September 3, 2014 at 11:31 am
Congratulations to the mentees and mentors and alternates! Thank you, Brenda for this awesome opportunity and thanks to the mentors for their time!
Samantha Leach · September 3, 2014 at 11:55 am
A big thank you to Brenda Drake and all the wonderful people who worked hard behind the scenes to put this contest together. I’m truly amazed by the all mentors and their willingness to help. You guys are beyond awesome.
Summer Spence · September 3, 2014 at 1:11 pm
Brenda, I can never thank you enough for all you do for the writing community. I am so excited and just beyond words (not for long, I hope) to be a part of this! Thank you!!!
Michael Seese · September 3, 2014 at 7:30 pm
A BIG thanks to Brenda, as well as the mentors, for this great effort. Even though my pitch was not chosen, several of the folks I applied to wrote back to me, offering encouragement AND constructive feedback.
C.S. Severe · September 3, 2014 at 9:33 pm
Congratulations to all the mentees and alternates selected! And thanks Brenda for hosting this contest! 🙂
Mike Yates · September 3, 2014 at 9:44 pm
Congratulations to all who were selected, and a HUGE thank you to Brenda Drake and everyone else who made this possible. It’s such a great learning experience. Looking forward to the next one!
Adrianne Russell · September 3, 2014 at 10:27 pm
Congrats to all and HUGE thanks to Brenda and everyone who was involved!
Sharon K Mayhew · September 16, 2014 at 12:43 am
Wow, what a great line up of Mentors and lucky Mentees!
My WRiTE CLUB Experience - Dan Koboldt · September 29, 2014 at 1:52 pm
[…] I’d figured out that he was AJ Vanderhorst. I knew he could write because he’d been chosen for Pitch Wars — as an alternate — by one of the coveted MG mentors (Ben Brooks). Fittingly, A.J. […]
Ding…Ding…Ding…Round Two | Rissa Watkins · May 27, 2015 at 3:39 am
[…] was picked as an alternate by the amazing Jami Nord. She works a day job, interns as an agent, is a writer, and found time to […]
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