Our mentors are editing, our mentees are revising, and we hope you’re making progress on your own manuscript! While we’re all working toward the Agent Showcase on November 1st-7th, we hope you’ll take a moment during your writing breaks and get to know our 2017 Pitch Wars Teams.
And now, we have . . .
Lindsey Ouimet – Mentee
RuthAnne Snow – Mentor
Lindsey, why did you choose to submit to RuthAnne?
#1 – RuthAnne’s book features characters inspired by the March sisters in LITTLE WOMEN. That alone should be enough, but there’s more!
#2 – HER favorite books listed are some of MY favorite books.
#3 – Her mentoring style. It was really this gem that made me put her on my list because I couldn’t agree more – “”I also subscribe to the philosophy that when a reader thinks there is a problem with a story, they’re usually right. When a reader thinks they have a solution, they’re usually wrong. This is your story, I am just trying to help you make it shine!
RuthAnne, why did you choose Lindsey’s manuscript?
I had so many amazing manuscripts to choose from, but ultimately Lindsey’s just stuck in my head. Her main character is so special, her concept is so great, and she writes romantic tension like nobody’s business. More importantly, I saw where this story could go to the next level and be amazing.
Lindsey, summarize your book in 3 words.
Sex. Drugs. Rock-n-Roll. (It’s totally one word, hush.)
RuthAnne, summarize Lindsey’s book in 3 words.
Guitarists in love. Ha!
Lindsey, tell us about yourself! What makes you and your MS unique?
It feels like I’ve spent most of my life obsessed with fictional characters. After a couple of decades with my nose perpetually stuck in a book, playing around in other author’s worlds with fanfiction, and a lot of prodding from my husband to just “”write a damn book already””, I decided to go for it. YA has my heart because there’s a tiny part of my soul that will remain forever seventeen. Probably the awkward, unsure part that speaks before thinking, over-reacts, and is convinced a Snickers is close enough to a granola bar, and it’s totally okay to have one for breakfast.
My manuscript, (NOT QUITE) THE SAME OLD SONG, is a contemporary YA that features a plus-size heroine, socioeconomic bias, addiction, a messy sibling relationship, music, and sexual tension out the wazoo.”
Lindsey, tell us about yourself. Something we may not already know.
I feel like I blab so much online that probably there’s nothing left to know. Well, my husband is a blues guitarist, so I definitely had a soft spot for Lindsey’s musically-themed novel right off the bat.
And next, we have . . .
Lisa Leoni – Mentee
Jennifer Blackwood – Mentor
Lisa, why did you choose to submit to Jennifer?
Everything about Jen’s wishlist pulled me in. From the Mrs. Doubtfire gif to the kitten kissing booth. I thought about what I wanted in a mentor and she ticked all the boxes. The strengths she listed as a mentor aligned well with what I thought my manuscript needed. Her direct and supportive communication style is right up my alley. Plus, I loved what she said about brainstorming and pointing out issues, but the author has to follow their gut with the ultimate decisions. The icing on the cake? She specified she’s in it for the long haul and wants to maintain a relationship with her mentee after the contest ends. That’s what I want too! I then began to Twitter stalk her and I knew our personalities would mesh like fudge in brownies.
Jennifer, why did you choose Lisa’s manuscript?
Lisa’s story is truly entertaining from the first sentence to the last. Her characters are so real and authentic, and I wish I could be friends with them. She adds just the right amount of humor and heart in her writing, and the descriptions of the tour throughout Scotland are divine. Truth circle: I’d never found kilted men to be that attractive before, but her book changed everything. Now I need a hot Scot. Pronto.
Lisa, summarize your book in 3 words.
Scottish-American relations.
Jennifer, summarize Lisa’s book in 3 words.
Hot. Kilted. Men.
Not sold on this? Fine.
Charming, authentic, and hilarious
Lisa, tell us about yourself! What makes you and your MS unique?
By day, I manage social media and media relations for a university in Oregon. By night, I have too many hobbies and battle an endless supply of cat hair covering my home. My first visit to Scotland a couple of years ago was the inspiration that kicked my butt into gear to finally finish a novel. I thought to myself, what if I fell in love while on vacation in Scotland? Spoiler: I didn’t (womp womp). So I wrote a book about it happening to someone else.
Jennifer, tell us about yourself. Something we may not already know.
I love belting out songs in my car, demolishing an entire bag of Pop Chips in one sitting, and being at least 10 years late to the party in regards to popular TV shows (I’ve just now discovered One Tree Hill).
Our mentors’ latest releases . . .
FALLING FOR THE FAKE FIANCE by Jennifer Blackwood
Jill Michaels prides herself on one thing: being independent. That is until her daughter gets into an elite school, and she needs money more than ever. It seems her fairy godmother—aka her deceased Grammy—has granted that wish in the form of one-fourth of her estate. The only catch? She must be married by her thirtieth birthday. In two months.
Aaron Collins is fresh out of the army and back in town to help his father’s failing business. When he runs into Jill at a hotel where she’s attending a single’s mixer, he makes sure she doesn’t make it past his room and into another guy’s arms. When he hears about her predicament, he has a plan: they’ll get married and keep it a secret. And maybe have a little sexy fun until he leave towns for his new job.
But letting go of the woman of his dreams may be harder than Aaron could have ever imagined.
Thank you for supporting our Pitch Wars Teams! The Agent Showcase is November 1-7, and our next #PitMad is December 1st!